This module engages students with ethical principles and approaches underpinning what it means to be a responsible business in theory and practice from a variety of contexts across the Globe; including the promotion of sustainable development. The module will help students: 1) assess their own values and position as responsible managers with regards to principles and approaches, and 2) assess how their values and positions can be integrated into activities depending on contexts (economic, social, cultural, geographical, legal, policy and regulatory) and 3) develop competencies in managing organisations responsibly.
Specifically, the module starts with irresponsible business practices, identifying organisational structures and incentives and external factors that can lead to these. The module moves on to responsible business alternatives taking into account the social, environmental, and economic spheres in local, regional and national contexts. It critically explores the potential of organisations as catalysts for change, how to manage inclusively and responsibly and make significant social and environmental contributions (with sustainability in mind) within organisations in context. Finally, it discusses the opportunities and the challenges and the intended and potential unintended consequences of responsible business for a variety of stakeholders.
The module follows a reflexive experiential learning approach. It uses cases from around the globe that challenge students to scope and identify ways to tackle \"wicked problems\", design and implement responsible solutions true to their values, and emergent contextual approaches that fit with their organisations.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Distinguish and critically analyse various conceptual understandings of (ir)responsible business and recognise responsible practices across the globe, their underpinning values and relationships with sustainable development objectives.
Appraise the complexity and interconnectedness of both global and local/regional sustainability challenges inherent to the social, environmental, policy and economic landscapes in which businesses operate.
Develop responsible business solutions that build on a system-thinking approach, taking into account organisational economic, social, cultural, geographical, policy and legal contexts, and includes a critical analysis of their responsible business challenges, opportunities and consequences for relevant stakeholders.
Undertake reflexive practice and assess their own values and position with regards to responsible business and ways to integrate these into organisational settings and activities.
Assessment
39584-01 : Group Presentation : Group Assessment - Coursework (30%)
39584-02 : Individual Business Proposal : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment:
1,600 words equivalent group scoping presentation of a responsible business issue (30%)
1,500 words individual business proposal/white paper including a short reflexive piece (70%)
Reassessment:
Reassessment by failed component:
400 words equivalent individual memo evaluating a responsible business issue (30%) (in replacement of group work)
1,500 words individual business proposal/white paper including a short reflexive piece (70%)
