21075 Sustainable Value Creation

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 21252 Accounting for Managerial Practice
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

The aim of this strategic analytical and decision-making subject is to provide the student with the competencies and skills necessary for understanding, implementing and then managing the strategy process to ensure the long-term viability and success of an enterprise. The integration of diverse theories such as ‘co-creation of value’, ‘sustainable strategies’ and ‘strategy as practice’ provides a knowledge platform for the further development of analytical and non-analytical capabilities that are essential for the identification of sustainable competitive advantage. Case studies, simulations and industry practitioners provide the necessary supporting evidence and metrics are also provided to demonstrate the strategic relationship between design and innovation and shared value creation as a future driver of economic growth.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Develop an ability to undertake a strategic business analysis
2.	Identify competitive advantage and determine how firms can retain the same
3.	Formulate and implement smart and sustainable strategic decisions in a business
4.	Demonstrate leadership and contribution to group work and create a high performance environment

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject integrates analytic rigour with practical managerial insights to promote the student’s ability to put into practice the process of shared value creation and reconceiving a sustainable business model as being at the intersection between society and corporate performance. Philosophically the student participant will gain a deeper appreciation of societal needs and the transformative power of shared value. The integration of diverse theories such as ‘co-creation of value’, ‘sustainable strategies’ and ‘strategy as practice’ will provide a knowledge platform for the further development of analytical and non-analytical capabilities that are essential for the identification of sustainable competitive advantage. In the applied context students will develop a greater understanding of the true bases of company productivity, and the ability to collaborate across profit/non-profit boundaries.

This subject contributes to developing the following graduate attribute(s):

Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
Communication and collaboration

This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objective(s):

Evaluate and apply principles of sustainability, ethical and social responsibility, and Indigenous values in a business environment (3.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is presented in seminar format. Essential principles are presented and analysed and students are led through practical application exercises. Guest lecturers provide content depth and examples from contemporary business practice. Strategy/ sustainability/ shared value case studies are used throughout to stimulate engagement and prompt context based learning. Students are expected to engage with provided online learning material in order to prepare for block teaching sessions and to address assignment requirements.

Content (topics)

Foundations of strategy
Strategy as practice
Business and competitive analyses
Business Model Canvas framework
Competing on the edge: blue oceans
Design thinking
Societal needs and shared value
Redesigning bottom of the pyramid enterprise concepts
Social entrepreneurship
Sustainable Development Goals
Strategy and shared value case studies

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Open book exam (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2
Weight:	30%
Length:	60 minutes exam
Criteria:	Demonstrated understanding of key principles of strategic analysis and design thinking and relate these to competitive advantage (15%) Ability to provide examples of how shared value principles apply to needs of indigenous communities in Australia (15%)

Assessment task 2: Group Presentation*

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3 and 4
Weight:	30%
Length:	15 minute presentation plus 5 minutes questions
Criteria:	The criteria used to assess student performance include: Evidence showing needs of Indigenous communities in terms of progress towards selected SDGs Presentation structure: e.g. clear and appropriate slides structure, appropriate headings, legible presentation (e.g. use of visuals) Evidence of collaborative approach by the presentation team Effective delivery style *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero.

Assessment task 3: Final Report (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 3
Weight:	40%
Length:	2000 words (not including references or footnotes)
Criteria:	The criteria used to assess student performance includes: Analysis: Provision of case examples that show how business and other organisations are using management principles such as shared value and strategic sustainability management to address needs identified in Assessment 2a) Recommendations: Suggestions, drawn from the case examples, as to how better outcomes in terms of meeting SDGs could be achieved Presentation: correct grammar, spelling, syntax and referencing, as well as professional formatting and layout of the business-style proposal

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

References

Suddaby, R. , Seidl, D. & Le, J.(2013). Strategy-as-Practice meets Neo-Institutional Theory. Strategic Organization, 11(3), pp 329-344
Benn, S., Edwards, M. and Williams, T (2018) 4th edition, Organizational Change for Corporate Sustainability Routledge: London and New York