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Social responsibility at a university - students' perspectives

Albena Vutsova, Martina Arabadzhieva, Todor Yalamov

Abstract

This paper explores social responsibility training as part of university educational programmes. The authors compare French and Bulgarian students' perceptions of various elements of social responsibility and how social responsibility is approached in universities' curricula. Bulgarian students see social responsibility more often in terms of volunteer work, charitable activities and career opportunities, while French students associate it with environmental aspects. The only statistically significant gender difference in Bulgaria emerged in linking improving working conditions with social responsibility. French students placed stronger emphasis on business and the possible practical applications of social responsibility training offered by universities.

Keywords: business, students, sustainability, university, social responsibility, teaching methods

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AUTHORS

Albena Vutsova

The author, PhD, has been an active lecturer at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" since 2015. As a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, she is responsible for educational activities and monitoring the portfolio of research and education projects. She has twenty years of professional experience in management of large-scale national and EU funded programs and education and research projects in various capacities such as Team Leader, Program/Project Manager, Head.

Martina Arabadzhieva

The author, PhD, is a chief assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". From 2019 to 2021 she was a researcher (R2). Professionally, she has experience as a consultant in scientific journals, working with a global research database as well as engaging in various research projects.

Todor Yalamov

The author, PhD, is Vice Dean of Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and cross-appointed professor at Soka University, Tokyo, Japan. He has diverse experience as an entrepreneur, manager, mentor, and trainer in the private and public sector. Todor was a Fulbright Scholar at the Center for International Private Enterprise, Washington DC (2013-2014).

About the article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15219/em101.1627

The article is in the printed version on pages 45-55.

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How to cite

Vutsova, A., Arabadzhieva, M., &Yalamov. T. (2023). Social responsibility at a university - students' perspectives. e-mentor, 4(101), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.15219/em101.1627