Programme Overview

The American economist Milton Friedman is credited with the doctrine “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits” 1. Today, most corporate leaders would beg to differ, and highlight their responsibility towards all the three Ps - Profits, Planet and People (communities that are affected by corporate actions). This concern beyond Profits to incorporate wider concerns are reflected in voluntary and regulatory compliance towards Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

Yet, as many proactive companies exemplify, there is a need to go beyond just CSR obligations. In fact, many companies today realize the strategic importance of being innovative in the products, services and channels that they have been using to fulfill their CSR obligations. The strategic import of being innovative in CSR activities stems from both external and internal imperatives. In light of this, companies need to incorporate corporate social innovation (CSI). This goes beyond the usual compliance orientation of CSR, and instead approaches the social responsibility of businesses through innovations with a social purpose.

This program aims to explore the concept, process and content of social innovations, the strategic imperatives of CSI, the role of partnerships in delivering socially innovative solutions, and making impact. The aim will be to provide practical field-level implications that participants can take back for implementation at their organizations.

Programme Objective

The program aims to explore answers to the following four questions:

  • What do we mean by Social Innovation? An exploration of the concept, process and content;
  • What is the relevance of Social Innovations? Developing an understanding of Grand Challenges facing the Planet and People, and the deficiency of current approaches to solve them, that are propelling the urgency for Social Innovations;
  • What are the strategic imperatives of Corporate Social Innovations? The benefit for businesses of considering CSI from a strategic viewpoint.
  • How can corporations partner with social enterprises and non-profit organizations to effectively implement CSI?
Key Topics

The program will cover the following topics:

  • Idea – The concept of Corporate Social Innovation;
  • Imperatives and Inspirations – The external and internal imperatives driving Corporate Social Innovations beyond the earlier emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility;
  • The Design Thinking approach to develop social innovations;
  • Institutionalization and diffusion of Corporate Social Innovations;
  • Impact of Corporate Social Innovations.
  • Designing organizations – Organizational structure, culture and leadership for Corporate Social Innovations;
  • Partnerships between business organizatons, social enterprises and voluntary organizations, citizens and social movements, and universities for social good;
Programme Directors
Professor Debabrata Chatterjee

Professor Debabrata Chatterjee

Organizational Behavior

Who May Attend

The program will be interesting and suitable for leaders handling roles that make a difference to the Planet and People. These include, but not necessarily limited to CSR and environmental confirmatory roles in business organizations, nonprofit organizations, and governments at the middle to senior levels.

Specific roles who might especially benefit are:

  • Corporate leaders looking after the CSR functions in their organizations;
  • Leaders in social enterprises and voluntary organizations, who believe they can make a larger difference by being exposed to the concept to of social innovation, and who would like to collaborate effectively with corporates;
  • Government officials, especially in ministries dealing with social welfare schemes that are implemented through partnership models, and who are looking for ideas to develop more relevant schemes through social innovation;
  • Community leaders, especially those engaged in social movements, need to interact with corporates in this capacity.
Programme Duration and Delivery
  • From the morning of December 01, 2025 till the afternoon of December 05, 2025
  • Face to face - classroom based
Pedagogy

A mix of workshops, case discussions and lectures.

How to Apply
  • You can apply/nominate your personnel by clicking on the “Apply Now” link corresponding to the particular MDP, as appearing on our online calendar available at: https://iimcal.ac.in/mdp/mdp-calendar
  • Once the candidature(s) is (are) approved, the sponsoring authority or participant (in case of self-nomination) will be intimated over email along with a Proforma Invoice seeking programme fees in advance.
  • Programme fees can be remitted online through Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT/RTGS).
  • Upon remitting the fees online, kindly intimate CMDP office with the UTRNo. /relevant transaction details through email, so that we can connect your remittance to your nomination(s). Please note that confirmation of participation is subject to receipt of Programme fees by CMDP Office before commencement of the MDP.

For further assistance, please connect with:

Name: Ms. Payel Majumder
Number: +91 33 7121 6012
Email ID: program_mdp[at]iimcal[dot]ac[dot]in

Programme Brochure
MDP Brochure