Free Online Course on edX: Transforming from Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Social Innovation

A free online course is available at edX Platform, on the theme of transforming from Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Social Innovation. Based on real-world experiences from business leaders, learning how to develop and lead social innovation initiatives that create both economic and social value.

Course background:

This course combines learnings from the real-world experience of business leaders with analysis and practical applications. These leaders, who have developed and led social innovation efforts, share the theories, strategies, and management frameworks that are driving new models for business engagement in society.

Enrollees will learn from firsthand accounts and interaction with key executives who’ve led social innovation initiatives. They hail from leading organizations and brands including, Campbell’s, Dunkin Brands, Verizon, Salesforce.com, FIFCO, Barclays and more.

In addition to online interactions, there will be opportunities for in-person touchpoints for anyone in the Greater Boston area; with the potential for meetups elsewhere in the future.

Enrollees will learn the key steps and apply the management frameworks to their organizations. Learners will also develop a clear, practical understanding of the process, knowledge, and skills required to develop social innovation efforts. Finally, they will learn to address key related challenges including business growth, innovation, employee engagement and retention, social impact, and connection to society.

This new context is driving companies – large and small – to think beyond Corporate Social Responsibility and to view business opportunities through the lens of social innovation.

This course is part of Entrepreneurial Mindset and Leadership Professional Certificate Program presented by BabsonX, that is free-online-course platform at Babson University in USA.

Who can take this course:

This is a course for anyone interested in understanding and acting on the new frontier of Corporate Social Innovation. No matter where enrollees sit inside their companies, they will be able to apply the lessons from companies in the field to develop the practical steps needed for the specific needs of their organizations.

Course effort:

4 to 6 hours per week, for four weeks.

Course objectives:

Participants in this course will acquire the following skills and knowledge:

1. A clear understanding of the multiple ways in which organizations create both social and economic value in a world where the purpose of business is being challenged and redefined.
2. The practical steps and hands-on skills to integrate social issues into business strategies, programs, and organizations through real-world examples and interviews with company leaders who have led social innovation initiatives.
3. How and why corporate engagement in society has evolved – from philanthropy to Corporate Social Responsibility to Social Innovation – and how it is driving today’s companies to develop new strategies to create both economic and social value.
4. About the leadership and entrepreneurial skills and competencies needed to develop and lead social innovation initiatives, including developing strategic focus, building organizational capacity, engaging stakeholders, measurement tools and driving innovation.
5. Babson’s methodology of Entrepreneurial Thought and Action® and tools to help learners take immediate action in their organizations.

Course costs:

It’s free of charge to take this course, but there is an option of pursing a Verified Certificate for $199, that is:

1. An instructor-signed certificate with the institution's logo to verify achievement and increase learner’s job prospects.
2. Easily shareable that learners can add to their CV or resume, or post it directly on LinkedIn.
3. Proven motivator to give enrollees an additional incentive to complete the course.
4. Dedicated to support edX, as a non-profit, it relies on verified certificates to help fund free education for everyone globally.

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