European Master and Certification Program
in Risk Engineering and Management

IVA
Risk Governance

Course code: 161326 (MOD)
Language of instruction: English
Duration of the course: 15 days (135h)
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Dr. h.c. Ortwin Renn (Universität Stuttgart (ZIRIUS)), Ph.D. Reto Schneider (SWICA Gesundheitsorganisation), Prof. Dr. Aleksandar S. Jovanovic (Steinbeis EU-VRi GmbH)
Assessment: Written Exam Transfer Paper [optional topic for Project Study Paper]
Credit points: 8 CPs

Short description

This module includes topics such as Risk governance concepts, Corporate social responsibility and sustainability,  Emerging risks, Business communication and related topics. It gives an insight to the risks issues and complements other modules devoted mostly to the technical and engineering issues of risk management in industrial plants (petrochemical plants, process industry, power plants etc). In addition, it looks at the basic elements of the concept of Corporate (Social) Responsibility (CSR) and its practical application in industry. It starts with Key elements of the CSR, focuses on CSR methodologies and tools and on the technology related aspects as a part of the modern practices of industry (HSE, HSSE). Analysis/comparison of the practices in the EU, US and other countries and relevant data and information on best practices worldwide are elaborated, including a number of relevant case studies from the key industries and references to main sources of relevant data and information. A particular unit of the course is dedicated to new ISO 260000 standard.

The modules continues with presentation of the principles of modern risk governance including its main elements (ef. IRGC framework): a) pre-assessment, b) risk appraisal, c) risk characterization and evaluation d) risk management and e-risk communication. Apart from each of the elements (e.g. under "Risk Assessment": hazard identification and estimation, exposure and vulnerability assessment, risk estimation, exposure and social concerns, socio-economic impacts) the examples from industrial practice will be shown and explained. A separate part is dedicated to the overview of specific methods and techniques (e.g. Delphi), as well as to the tools and instruments facilitating the application by industry, governments and public bodies.

Finally, the module highlights the topics related to emerging risks and introduces and transfers knowledge on emerging risks, and management of emerging risks. As "emerging" are considered primarily risks previously not recognized as risks, such as risks due to new processes, new technologies, new ways of working or social or organizational change (e.g. risks linked to nanotechnologies, bio-technology, new chemicals, outsourcing, globalization...). In addition the known risks emerging due to the change in public perception or new scientific knowledge are considered as well.

Objectives

3.1 Knowledge

The modules deals with social responsibility by explaining
  • concepts, terms and definitions related to social responsibility
  • the background, trends and characteristics of social responsibility
  • principles and practices relating to social responsibility
  • the core subjects and issues of social responsibility
  • integrating, implementing and promoting socially responsible behavior throughout the organization and, through its policies and practices, within its sphere of influence
  • identifying and engaging with stakeholders and
  • communicating commitments, performance and other information related to social responsibility.

The module continues with presentation of the principles of modern risk governance including its main elements (ef. IRGC framework): a) pre-assessment, b) risk appraisal, c) risk characterization and evaluation d) risk management and e-risk communication. Apart from each of the elements (e.g. under "Risk Assessment": hazard identification and estimation, exposure and vulnerability assessment, risk estimation, exposure and social concerns, socio-economic impacts) the examples from industrial practice will be shown and explained. A separate part is dedicated to the overview of specific methods and techniques (e.g. Delphi), as well as to the tools and instruments facilitating the application by industry, governments and public bodies. 

The modules introduces also the concept of "emerging risks" and explain to the students the issues of early recognition, classification and monitoring of emerging risks. Further the course will present frameworks, procedure and factors of emerging risks. Particular attention will be paid to the methodology to deal with these risks. The methodology, as expected, requires new methods and tools. These methods and tools will be elaborated during the course, concentrating in particular onto indicators and modern IT tools, including the application of data mining and web semantics.

Many interesting examples as well as results from the current EU and other research projects will be highlighted and explained in detail to the course participants.

3.2 Skills

During the work on the module, the students acquire skill related to the use of tools, in particular those related to early risks recognition and monitoring, risk representation and assessment.

3.3. Competences

The competences needed to work with risk management and governance in insurance companies, industry and/or governmental institutions and organizations are expected to be mastered by the students.

Course Content by Units


iCSR:

Unit 1: iCSR main concepts and decision making framework

    Unit 2: Risk management and/in iCSR and technology related issues of iCSR - Life Cycle Analysis

    Unit 3: iCSR in international environment

    Unit 4: iCSR in the European Union

      Unit 5: iCSR in Germany

        Unit 6: iCSR reporting - GRI G3

          Unit 7: SRI (Social Responsible Investing) and iCSR

            Unit 8: Sustainability and competitiveness. Examples from industry

            Governance:

            Unit 1: Principles of modern risk governance

            Unit 2: IRGC framework: pre-assessment

            Unit 3: IRGC framework: risk appraisal

            Unit 4: IRGC framework: risk characterization and evaluation

            Unit 5: IRGC framework: risk management

            Unit 6: IRGC framework: risk communication

            Unit 7: Specific methods and techniques

            Emerging Risks:

            Unit 1: Definitions, requirements and terminology.
            Unit 2: Frameworks for emerging risks
            Unit 3: Procedure (10 steps) and factors of emerging risks
            Unit 4: Methods and tools
            Unit 5: Application example

            Teaching Methods



            The course includes:

            • introductory note explaining aim and structure of the course, and used lecturing methodology as well
            • ex cathedra lecturing illustrated by number of examples
            • Brainstorming sessions and practical work
            • direct contacts/visits to the main stakeholders
            • preparation for exam by repetition of all course units and main issues
            • practical exercises & hands-on examples on iNTeg-Risk tools

            Literature



            1. Lecture notes:
              integrated Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
            2. Transparencies:
            3. Additional material
              National Strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility – Action Plan for CSR - of the German Federal Government (October 2010)


            Topics (O. Renn): Risk Governance, Emerging Risks, Perception and Communication

             Textbook:

            • Renn, O.: Risk Governance. Coping with Uncertainty in a Complex World. London (Earthscan 2008)

            As files:

            • Aven, T. and Renn, O.: The Role of Quantitative Risk Assessments for Characterizing Risk and Uncertainty and Delineating Appropriate Risk Management Options, with Special Emphasis on Terrorism Risk. Risk Analysis, Vol. 29, No. 4 (2009), 587-600.
            • IRGC (International Risk Governance Council): Risk Governance: Towards an Integrative Approach. White Paper No. 1, written by O. Renn with an annex by P. Graham (IRGC: Geneva 2005)
            • IRGC (International Risk Governance Council): Risk Governance: Policy Brief (IRGC: Geneva 2007)
            • IRGC (International Risk Governance Council): Concept Note on Emerging Risks (IRGC: Geneva 2009)
            • OECD: Guidance Document on Risk Communication for Chemical Risk Management. Authors: O. Renn, H. Kastenholz and W. Leiss. Paris (OECD 2002)
            • Radandt S.; Rantanen, J. and Renn, O.: Governance of Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Risks. In: H.-J. Bischof (Ed.): Risks in Modern Society. Berlin and Heidelberg (Springer 2008), pp. 127-258.
            • Renn, O.: Rätselhafte Wahrnehmung – Wie Menschen Risiken bewerten. TRANSPARENT, Ed. 6 (Dezember 2006), 14-19.
            • Renn, O.: Risk Perception and Communication: Lessons for the Food and Food Packaging Industry. In: Food Additives and Contaminants, 22, No. 10 (October 2005), 1061-1071.
            • Renn, O.: Risk Communication: Insights and Requirements for Designing Successful Communication Programs on Health and Environmental Hazards. In: R.L. Heath and H. Dan O’Hair (eds.): Handbook of Risk and Crisis Communication. London (Taylor and Francis 2008), pp. 80-98
            • Renn, O.: Precaution and Ecological Risk. In: S. E. Jörgensen and B.D. Fath (eds.): Human Ecology. Volume 4 of the Encyclopedia of Ecology, 5 Volumes. Oxford (Elsevier 2008), pp. 2909-2916
            • Renn, O.: The Contribution of Different Types of Knowledge Towards Understanding, Sharing and Communicating Risk Concepts, Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies, Vol. 2. No. 2 (2010), 177-195
            • Renn O. and Klinke, A.: Complexity, Uncertainty and Ambiguity in Inclusive Risk Governance. In: T.G. Measham and S. Lockie (eds.): Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management. Collingwood, Australia, (CSIRO Publishing 2012), pp 59-76 


            1. iNTeg-Risk project www.integ-risk.eu-vri.eu
            2. IRGC (2009). International Risk Governance Council (2008), An introduction to the IRGC Risk Governance Framework, International Risk Governance Council (IRGC), Geneva.
              http://www.irgc.org/IMG/pdf/An_introduction_to_the_IRGC_Risk_Governance_Framework.pdf

            3. OECD (2003). Emerging risks in the 21st century, OECD Publishing, Paris, France.
            4. [61] OECD (2011). OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policies - Future Global Shocks: Improving Risk Governance, OECD Publishing, France, ISBN: 97894095205


            For more information about the European Master and Certification Program in Risk Engineering and Management in general, go the Homepage.
            For more information about the European Master Program in Risk Engineering and Management in general, go the Master Study page.
            To see more courses in the curriculum, go to The curriculum page, or by date and topic go to the Calendar of Courses page.
            Contact: via email sti889@risk-technologies.com or phone +49 711 1839 781 or +49 711 1839 647
            (Course profile ID: IVA, generated on March 28, 2024)