BSc Management (Accounting and Finance) / Course details

An understanding of sustainability allows us to recognise why our ability to prosper now and in the future requires attention not just to economic and social progress but also conserving (and enhancing) the natural environment. There has never been a more important time to understand how government, industry and society can respond to this challenge. The Sustainable Business module looks at the bigger picture but focuses on how companies can respond by changing what they are doing - both strategically and operationally - to gain or maintain a competitive advantage whilst improving their sustainability performance.

Only available to students on: BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism; IMABS, IM and ITMB. Core for BSc Management with ISE Specialism and BSc Management with SEB Specialism.

Pre-requisites - N/A

Co-requisites - N/A

Dependent course units - N/A

The course aims to motivate the students to integrate notions of sustainability into their business approach by combining a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding sustainable development and climate change with knowledge of how business can respond to these opportunities and challenges by embedding sustainability into an organisation’s strategy and operations.

At the end of course, students should be able to:

• Understand the relationship between government, industry and science, consumers and the wider connection between political/economic/social trends and sustainable business.
• Understand critically the intra-organisational management tools and techniques to embed sustainability into the company’s operations and strategy.
• Understand critically the inter-organisational management tools and techniques to embed sustainability beyond the boundaries of the company through the product value chain.
• Acquire research, analysis and collective organisational skills through individual and group assessments.

The course is divided into two parts. Lectures in the first part address the sustainability challenges facing business and society and the response of science, government and business. In the second part, we focus on the role of sustainable business, how companies and business organisations can create value by embracing opportunities and managing the risks associated with economic, social and environmental sustainability. Over the course, we consider:

•    Sustainability and sustainable economic growth
•    Collaborative action on sustainability, drawing on lessons from history
•    Contemporary environmental challenges
•    Contemporary social and economic challenges
•    Sustainability-focused management
•    Communication and sustainable business
•    Innovating for sustainability
•    Digital platform organisation and sustainability
•    Realising business sustainability

Teaching on Sustainable Business is high quality, interactive and research led. Lectures are punctuated by group tasks and activities. Assessment is based on both group collaboration and individual activity.

Group presentation: 30% 

Individual essay: 70%

Responses to student emails and questions from a member of staff.

• Written and/or verbal comments on assessed coursework.

• Written and/or verbal comments after students have given presentations.

Students will receive detailed formative feedback on their presentation within 15 working days of their presentation.. Written feedback on essays will be available on Blackboard 15 days after submission.

There is no single module textbook. However, all relevant readings will be posted on Blackboard or can be obtained through links via the annotated lecture slides.

You will find the following books useful:

Jeanrenaud, S., Jeanrenaud, J-P., and Gosling, J., (eds) (2017) Sustainable Business: A One Planet Approach, Wiley: Chichester. 

Kopnina, H., & Blewitt, J. (2018) Sustainable Business: Key Issues (second edition). Routledge: London. 
 

 

 

Other staff involved: No university staff. Mike Hodson leads lectures and seminars.

Pre-requisites - N/A

Co-requisites - N/A

Dependent course units: N/A

Programme Restrictions : BSc Management and Management (Specialisms), BSc International Management with American Business Studies and BSc International Management.

For Academic Year 2023/24

Updated: March 2023

Approved by: March UG Committee