Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

One of the key questions facing businesses is how to meet the rapidly changing stakeholder expectations and transition to new more sustainable models of business. The goal of this module is to introduce students to the concept of sustainable business, changing regulatory environment, the role of state and non-state actors, and current measurement, reporting and verification issues. This module will enable students develop the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate the theoretical and applied aspects of how firms integrate sustainable and ethical approaches into their everyday business practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on agribusiness and food firms.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Framework and business modules
2.       Corporate citizenship and legitimacy
3.       Sustainability in food supply chains
4.       Regulatory Issues
5.       Non-business stakeholders
6.       Sustainability measurement, reporting and verification.
7.       Industry case studies

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the Module a successful student will be able to:
1.       Identify and discuss the economic principles underlying firms’ role in sustainable transitions.
2.       Appraise the critique the challenges posed by the changing regulatory environment pertaining to sustainability standards.
3.       Analyse a firm’s strategy for addressing environmental, ethical, and social issues.
4.       Examine the risks and opportunities associated with sustainable business.
5.       Analyse major tools, systems and practices used to measure and improve sustainability performance.
6.       Understand the best practice policies for managing sustainability in a firm’s operations.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1.       Develop a business sustainability strategy to guide sustainable transitions.
2.       Develop the critical skills needed to facilitate the transition of conventional business models to more sustainable formats to meet key stakeholder needs and expectations.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will have full access to all reading materials. Class discussion, Q/A sessions, debates will be encouraged during class. Lecture material is comprehensive, extensive and requires substantial student study outside the classroom.
The assignment is set specifically to test learning objectives, and to encourage students to practice their critical analytical skills and extend and apply their knowledge and understanding to be able to achieve these outcomes. Students are given a range of opportunities to critically engage with materials from both the academic and practitioner literature.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative assignments will consist of a report and an in-class presentation in which the students will be tested in a range of skills including knowledge and understanding of current sustainable practice issue as well as critical analytical skills and report writing skills.

General Notes

N/A