This unit (BMO5501) critically reviews the socio-cultural environment in which business operates. Ethical frameworks for decision making will be critiqued and students will construct the debates surrounding contemporary corporate responsibility and sustainable development as they impact on organisations in their local and global contexts. Emphasis will be on how new pressures on businesses arise, and how effective the various models that structure organisational responses are to these dynamic and emergent challenges. Students will understand the importance of various United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) relating to governance, operations and culture through evidence-based research, case analysis, and evaluation, in understanding the importance of the SDGs.
Unit details
Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
BMO5501
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Discriminate between key philosophical approaches to ethics, legal requirements, and a contention between moral and ethical decision making; | ||
| 2. | Advocate a position on the ethical issues associated with narrow and broad approaches to doing business; | ||
| 3. | Exemplify judgement in assessing alternative perspectives of corporate responsibility in the context of contemporary business issues; | ||
| 4. | Evaluate the sustainability agenda and justify assessment of the implications for business; | ||
| 5. | Evaluate and debate the role of social movements and institutional changes that promote business model innovation; and | ||
| 6. | Communicate analysis to audiences demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability. |
Assessment
Melbourne campuses
Students studying under the VU Block Model.
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Annotated Bibliography (Individual) to inform a Group Case Report (Group), and Reflective Journal submissions (Individual) | 30% |
| Case Study | A selected company evaluation on ethics and sustainability in achieving competitive advantage (Individual) | 30% |
| Project | Group project report & presentation (Group) | 40% |
Other locations
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Journal | Assessing ethical responsibilities of an organisation | 10% |
| Assignment | Critical analysis of ethical imperatives within a select organisation | 40% |
| Case Study | Examination of ethics and sustainability at Patagonia | 50% |
Where to next?
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.
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