21698 Managing for Social Impact (Capstone)

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

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

UTS: Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10342 Bachelor of Management OR 192 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10343 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 152 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10355 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 192 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10432 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 160 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10412 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment OR 160 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10469 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Management

Description

Business globally is experiencing unprecedented transformation in a society facing increasingly complex social and environmental challenges. Realising social outcomes together with economic prosperity and preparing for these ever-evolving challenges is imperative for the success of any organisation. In this subject students engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of organisations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value. Students interact with leaders in their professional field to extend their knowledge of the challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore effective approaches to meeting these challenges. Students create strategies which organisations can use to work together to further their respective objectives by exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-sector partnerships that contribute to building a prosperous, high achieving and fairer society.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Critically analyse complex issues and problems in managing social impact
2.	Apply current knowledge of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary theory on managing social impact to public, private and not-for-profit organisations to develop appropriate and well justified solutions
3.	Communicate complex solutions and information in high quality, multimedia formats for the intended audience and social impact purpose
4.	Reflect upon personal management styles, knowledge and practices to achieve effective social impact outcomes within a diverse range of contexts and situations

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:

• Apply critical thinking skills to analyse contemporary managerial challenges, enabling the development of creative solutions relevant to professional practice (1.1)
• Develop effective communication skills to enable cogent knowledge transfer with colleagues to achieve productive project outcomes relevant to professional practice (2.1)
• Evaluate and implement ethical principles in respect of managing for social responsibility, including knowledge of cultural diversity, economic equity, and environmental sustainability as they relate to professional practice (3.1)
• Execute managerial capabilities and technical skills that are critical to professional practice in a specialised industry sector (4.1)
• Acquire and apply knowledge of Indigenous Australian contexts to inform professional capabilities to work with and for Indigenous Australians across management professions (5.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject is aligned with the graduate attributes of:

• Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
• Communication and collaboration
• Social responsibility and cultural awareness

It is designed to bridge a formal course of learning with graduate career outcomes. It supports students to develop professional identities as workplace leaders and problem solvers, equipped for rapidly changing, digitally disrupted, agile professional workplaces facing increasingly complex social and environmental challenges.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students in this subject complete an industry-engaged experience, working individually and with peers, with input from industry and Indigenous leaders, to create an industry blueprint for social impact. The subject is project-based and students will work in small teams to deliver project objectives. The projects will be supported with substantial online resources and peer-to-peer support. Weekly seminars will draw upon student preparatory activities to progress projects. Supporting academic staff will facilitate learning activities to scaffold project development and provide team and individual support. Students will receive formative feedback from peers and academic staff (from week 2 onwards) through participation in seminar activities and completion of assessments.

Content (topics)

• Conceptualising social impact
• Social impact in not-for-profit and for-profit organisations
• Collaboration, creativity and storytelling for social impact
• Addressing social impact issues through research, project planning, development and management
• Structuring multimedia presentations for impact
• Critical reflection on effect of social impact on professional development
  

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Industry Project (45% Individual and 30% Group)*

Intent:	Part A (Individual): 25% Part B (Individual): 20% Part C (Group): 30%
Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 1.1 and 2.1
Weight:	75%
Length:	Part A: 3-page template + pitch to client Part B: 15 minute team presentation (each individual 2-3 minutes). Multimedia Output: One-page poster, infographic, collatarel 2-minute motion graphics/video 2-3 slides Part C: This is dependent on your client's needs. Approximately 2-3000 words + logbook
Criteria:	Part A*: Knowledge - Application of technical and professional skills to source relevant information Critical Analysis – Clear identification and articulation of the challenge, proposal of well-defined and feasible approach(s) to address the challenge. Project Planning - Assess feasibility of the proposed solution, with consideration of resources, timelines, and potential issues/risks in implementing the solution. Communication - Persuasiveness, clear and engaging delivery, time management. *Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. Part B: Relevance & appropriateness - Linked to intended message, client need, etc. Communication - Effective and engaging for diverse and professional audience; clear structure with logical flow of information. Creativity - Creative design and presentation. Part C: Knowledge- Application of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary knowledge to organisation, industry and managerial (social impact) challenge. Critical Analysis- Ability to synthesise evidence in addressing the (social impact) challenge, and reaching conclusions and recommendations informed by research including consideration of ethical, legal, and social implications. Communication – Clear and effective writing style and presentation, logical and coherent flow of ideas, proper citations and referencing. Collaboration and Teamwork – Effective collaboration among group members and with project partners (activity logbook), clear communication and coordination within the group.

Assessment task 2: Critical Journal Reflection (Individual)

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 4 This addresses program learning objectives(s): 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1
Weight:	25%
Length:	A2.1 = 300 words, A2.2 = 1200 words. Total of 1500 words
Criteria:	Critical Thinking Skills: Analyses and evaluates the reported experiences and their underlying causes, implications, or significance. Ability to integrate personal experiences or observations with relevant theoretical concepts in a meaningful way. Shows self-awareness and an understanding of personal strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. Ability to connect the contribution of the learning journey throughout the semester to future professional career. Communication: Reflective Writing Techniques - including the use of evidence and examples, personal and emotive language. Clear and effective writing style and presentation, logical and coherent flow of ideas

Minimum requirements

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

Required texts

There are no required texts for this subject. Please see Canvas>21698>Modules for the resources you will need.

References

The following are references that we will draw on during the semester as part of our workshop program. This list should only be regarded as indicative as each group will be doing very different topics where it is difficult to stipulate appropriate publication in advance. One session early in the semester will introduce you to the Business Library liaison officer that will give you great ideas for researching your organisation or social issue.

Cobourn, S. & Frawley, S. (2017) CSR in professional sport: an examination of community models, Managing Sport and Leisure, 22:2, 113-126, DOI: 10.1080/23750472.2017.1402694

Deery, M., Jago, L., & Fredline, L. (2012). Rethinking social impacts of tourism research: A new research agenda. Tourism management, 33(1), 64-73.

Edwards, M., Onyx, J., Maxwell, H., & Darcy, S. (2012). Meso-Level Social Impact: Meaningful Indicators of Community Contribution. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 4(3), 18-37.

Edwards, M., Onyx, J., Maxwell, H., Darcy, S., Bullen, P., & Sherker, S. (2015). A conceptual model of social impact as active citizenship. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 26(4), 1529-1549.

Fowler, E. A., Coffey, B. S., & Dixon-Fowler, H. R. (2019). Transforming good intentions into social impact: A case on the creation and evolution of a social enterprise. Journal of Business Ethics, 159(3), 665-678.

Galloway, S. (2009). Theory-based evaluation and the social impact of the arts. Cultural trends, 18(2), 125-148.

Gusheh, M., Firth, V., Netherton, C., & Pettigrew, C. (2019). The creation of the UTS Social Impact Framework: A collaborative approach for transformational change. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 12(2), 1-22.

Hanna, J. (2010). The hard work of measuring social impact. Harvard Business School Working Knowledge, 14.

Harrison, B., Foley, C., Edwards, D., & Donaghy, G. (2019). Outcomes and challenges of an international convention centre's local procurement strategy. Tourism Management, 75, 328-339. doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2019.05.004

Jackson, E. T. (2013). Interrogating the theory of change: evaluating impact investing where it matters most. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 3(2), 95-110.

Lombardo, G., Mazzocchetti, A., Rapallo, I., Tayser, N., & Cincotti, S. (2019). Assessment of the economic and social impact using SROI: An application to sport companies. Sustainability, 11(13), 3612.

Onyx, J., Darcy, S., Grabowski, S., Maxwell, H., & Green, J. (2018). Researching the Social Impact of Arts and Disability: Applying a New Empirical Tool and Method. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 29(3) pp574-589 https://doi-org/10.1007/s11266-018-9968

Reeves, M. (2002). Measuring the economic and social impact of the arts: a review (pp. 320-324). London: Arts Council of England.

Small, K. (2007). Social dimensions of community festivals: An application of factor analysis in the development of the social impact perception (SIP) scale. Event Management, 11(1-2), 45-55.

Spaaij, R. (2009). The social impact of sport: diversities, complexities and contexts. Sport in society, 12(9), 1109-1117.

Other resources

University of Technology Sydney, (2020) Designing Out Problems, https://open.uts.edu.au/uts-open/study-area/communication--media/critical--creative-thinking/designing-out-problems/

University of Technology Sydney, (2020) Measuring Social Impact https://open.uts.edu.au/uts-open/faculty/business/measuring-social-impact-part-2---evaluation-methods/

University of Technology Sydney, (2020) Social Impact Framework https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/article/downloads/UTS%20Social%20Impact%20Framework%20-%20text%20accessible%20version.pdf