26820 Macro Sustainability Impacts
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Credit points: 3 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
In complex and volatile contexts, the core purpose of organisations and their sources of value creation can be disrupted demanding a recalibration of the organisational purpose. This subject cultivates a student’s disposition and provides them with tools and knowledge to become purpose-driven leaders. This subject explores the complex global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) drivers for change and outlines how new hybrid and purpose-driven business models are well equipped to deliver solutions to global sustainability issues. Students develop the confidence and ability to navigate and interpret the complex landscape and reorient organisational purpose toward beneficial impacts through a hybrid approach. They become knowledgeable about organisations that have successfully developed a purpose-driven business strategic positioning and how they created or adopted a legitimate norm framework. Essential skills are developed such as how to interpret emerging trends, literacy in legitimate norm-based frameworks, and capabilities to leverage organisational innovation for growth and social impact. Students learn how to move beyond aspirational strategic intent to a pragmatic and future-oriented blueprint for creating beneficial impacts beyond the business case.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | analyse business models that create shared value in the macro context |
|---|---|
| 2. | apply legitimate norm frameworks |
| 3. | identify effective practices, processes, and policies for managing hybrid organisations |
| 4. | critically reflect on capabilities for leveraging, aligning, and committing to organisational innovation for social impact |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Through a critical and applied pedagogy, this subject enables students to lead strategic business transformation for sustainable development by equipping them with the essential analytical tools and frameworks to develop legitimate purpose-driven business models. Students develop confidence and capabilities in interpreting macro ESG trends and the knowledge of how to align these with effective purpose-driven organisational practices. They learn leadership techniques to manage a persuasive purpose-driven business case for systems-level change.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
- Social responsibility and cultural awareness
- Professional and technical competence
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered through a mix of online learning, three live online webinars and online consultations. The subject features a mix of theoretical concepts and application in the contemporary context that is designed to enhance knowledge and capabilities in business administration. Students have access to online resources, and self-directed learning activities and are expected to study online content provided via the UTS learning management system. They are required to complete online learning activities, which will help identify knowledge gaps and inform discussions. Webinars are designed to present the theory and practice of the subject’s content. Students are required to complete pre-work activities before attending webinars. Discussions focus on the application of concepts, techniques and tools. Ongoing general and individual feedback will be provided throughout the subject via consultation sessions. A summative assessment provides feedback on students' comprehension and application of learning. Students also receive formal feedback on assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
- Global ESG trends and institutional frameworks
- The role of legitimate norm frameworks and regulation
- Purpose-driven and hybrid business strategies
- Managing hybrid organisations
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Business analysis (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 80% |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Reflection (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: |
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Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks and complete both assessment tasks.
References
Benn, S., Edwards, M. and Williams, T., 2022. Sustainability: A Key Idea for Business and Society. Routledge.
By, R.T., 2021. Leadership: In pursuit of purpose. Journal of Change Management, 21(1), pp.30-44.
de los Reyes Jr, G., Scholz, M. and Smith, N.C., 2017. Beyond the “Win-Win” creating shared value requires ethical frameworks. California Management Review, 59(2), pp.142-167.
Haigh, N. and Hoffman, A.J., 2011. Hybrid organizations: the next chapter in sustainable business. Organizational dynamics, 41(2), pp.126-134.
Henderson, R., 2020. Reimagining capitalism in the shadow of the pandemic. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/07/reimagining-capitalism-in-the-shadow-of-the-pandemic
Hollensbe, E., Wookey, C., Hickey, L., George, G., & Nichols, C. V. (2014). Organizations with purpose. Academy of Management Journal, 57(5), 1227-1234.
Kaplan, S. (2020). Beyond the business case for social responsibility. Academy of Management Discoveries, 6(1), 1-4.
Logue, D. (2019). Theories of Social Innovation. UK: Edward Elgar.
Marquis, C. (2020). Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism (2020). USA: Yale University Press.
Porter, M.E. and Kramer, M.R., 2011. Creating Shared Value: Harvard Business Review. Jan-Feb, 2011, pp.1-17.
Sachs, J.D., Schmidt-Traub, G., Mazzucato, M., Messner, D., Nakicenovic, N. and Rockström, J., 2019. Six transformations to achieve the sustainable development goals. Nature Sustainability, 2(9), pp.805-814.
Waddock, S. & McIntosh, M. (2011). Business Unusual: Corporate Responsibility in a 2.0 World. Business and Society Review, 116(3), 303.