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Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus
(name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)
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Prof.Dr. Osman Nuri Aras oaras@epoka.edu.al
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Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address
and signature) and Office Hours:
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Prof.Dr. Osman Nuri Aras oaras@epoka.edu.al
, Tuesday 16:30 - 17:30, Wednesday 13:30 - 14:40
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Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email
address and signature) and Office Hours:
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NA
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| Language: |
English
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| Compulsory/Elective: |
Compulsory
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| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) |
Master of Science in FinTech
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| Classroom and Meeting Time: |
E-212
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| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: |
NA
|
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
|
| Attendance Requirement: |
60%
|
| Course Description: |
This course explores the concepts of ethics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability within the context of business organizations. Students will examine contemporary challenges and assess the impact of ethical decision-making, CSR practices, and sustainable business strategies. The course aims to develop critical thinking skills and foster a deeper understanding of the ethical and social implications of business operations.
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| Course Objectives: |
1) To provide students with a solid conceptual and philosophical foundation in business ethics. 2) To explain how ethical principles translate into organizational governance and managerial practice. 3) To examine the evolution and strategic role of Corporate Social Responsibility. 4) To introduce sustainability as a long-term macro-level framework for responsible business. 5) To clarify the differences and interconnections between CSR, ESG, sustainability, and corporate governance. 6) To analyze how global and EU regulatory frameworks institutionalize responsible business practices. 7) To develop students’ ability to critically evaluate corporate responsibility claims and sustainability reports. 8) To equip students with analytical tools to assess ethical dilemmas and trade-offs in business decisions.
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BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
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| 1 |
Business Ethics
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| 2 |
Moral Responsibility
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| 3 |
Stakeholder Theory
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| 4 |
Corporate Governance
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| 5 |
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
|
| 6 |
Sustainability
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| 7 |
Triple Bottom Line
|
| 8 |
Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
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| 9 |
Greenwashing
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| 10 |
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
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| Week |
Topics |
| 1 |
Introduction: Responsible Business in the Modern World |
| 2 |
Ethics, Morality, and Law in Business |
| 3 |
Ethical Theories and Moral Reasoning |
| 4 |
Business Ethics in Practice |
| 5 |
Corporate Governance and Ethical Organizations |
| 6 |
Globalization, Ethics, and Supply Chains |
| 7 |
Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) |
| 8 |
CSR Strategies and Stakeholder Management |
| 9 |
Sustainability and Sustainable Development |
| 10 |
Global Sustainability Frameworks: SDGs |
| 11 |
ESG: Measuring Responsible Business |
| 12 |
Sustainability Reporting and Transparency (+ Project Presentations) |
| 13 |
EU Perspective: CSRD and Regulatory Frameworks (+ Project Presentations) |
| 14 |
Integration and Future Challenges (+ Project Presentations) |
| Prerequisite(s): |
N/A
|
|
Textbook(s):
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1) Crane, A., Matten, D., & Glozer, S. (2024). Business ethics (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
2) Haski-Leventhal, D. (2025). Strategic corporate social responsibility: A holistic approach to responsible and sustainable business (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
3) Rasche, A., Morsing, M., Moon, J., & Kourula, A. (Eds.). (2023). Corporate sustainability: Managing responsible business in a globalised world. Cambridge University Press.
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Additional Literature:
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1) Visser, W., Matten, D., Pohl, M., & Tolhurst, N. (2010). The A to Z of corporate social responsibility. Wiley.
2) Laszlo, C. (2008). Sustainable value: How the world’s leading companies are doing well by doing good. Stanford University Press.
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| Laboratory Work: |
N/A
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| Computer Usage: |
N/A
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| Others: |
No
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| 1 |
Distinguish clearly between ethics, morality, and law in business contexts. |
| 2 |
Apply major ethical theories (utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics) to business dilemmas. |
| 3 |
Explain the institutionalization of ethics through governance, codes, and compliance systems. |
| 4 |
Analyze stakeholder relationships and evaluate CSR strategies across industries. |
| 5 |
Differentiate between CSR, sustainability, and ESG frameworks conceptually and practically. |
| 6 |
Interpret sustainability and ESG reports at an introductory analytical level. |
| 7 |
Evaluate corporate behavior in light of EU regulatory frameworks such as CSRD. |
| 8 |
Identify ethical and sustainability risks in global supply chains. |
| 9 |
Critically assess claims of greenwashing or symbolic compliance. |
| 10 |
Develop structured arguments regarding the future of responsible and sustainable business models. |
| No |
Program Competencies |
Cont. |
| Master of Science in FinTech Program |
| 1 |
Graduates will master the fundamentals of fintech, including technological innovations, digital financial services, and disruptive business models, and apply this knowledge to create fintech solutions. |
4 |
| 2 |
Graduates will be proficient in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency, understanding their applications in finance, such as digital currencies, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. |
3 |
| 3 |
Graduates will gain expertise in digital banking and innovation, including the ability to design and manage digital banking solutions, improving customer experience and operational efficiency. |
4 |
| 4 |
Graduates will demonstrate a deep understanding of corporate finance principles, enabling them to analyze complex financial scenarios and make informed strategic decisions. |
4 |
| 5 |
Graduates will have the skills to thoroughly analyze financial statements and assess the financial health and performance of organizations, aiding in investment and decision-making processes. |
4 |
| 6 |
Graduates will acquire advanced skills in big data analytics, enabling them to extract valuable insights from large datasets to drive data-driven financial strategies and decisions. |
4 |
| 7 |
Graduates will apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze financial data, automate decision-making processes, and enhance risk management in the financial sector. |
4 |
| 8 |
Graduates will gain knowledge in cybersecurity resilience, enabling them to understand cyber threats in financial systems and data and effectively cooperate in mitigating fraud risks in fintech operations. |
4 |
| 9 |
Graduates will develop a strong ethical foundation and be equipped to navigate corporate social responsibility and sustainability challenges in the fintech industry, promoting responsible and sustainable financial practices. |
4 |
| 10 |
Graduates will be capable of applying interdisciplinary knowledge to address complex challenges at the intersection of finance and technology, fostering innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape. |
4 |
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This course is not about idealism versus realism. It is about understanding how responsibility evolves from voluntary ethical reflection into structured governance systems and regulatory obligations. Business today operates under unprecedented transparency, stakeholder scrutiny, and regulatory pressure. Ethics is no longer confined to individual decision-making; it is embedded in corporate structures, investor expectations, global supply chains, and supranational regulation. Throughout this semester, we moved from philosophical foundations to measurable ESG metrics and binding EU directives. This progression reflects the real-world transformation of responsible business: from values to strategy, from strategy to metrics, and from metrics to regulation. The central question remains open: Can business genuinely balance profitability, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability without structural trade-offs? Your role as future managers, analysts, policymakers, or entrepreneurs is not merely to understand these frameworks—but to critically engage with them, question them, and apply them responsibly. Responsible business is not a trend. It is becoming the operating system of modern capitalism.
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