26822 Sustainable Value Management
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 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
The subject is designed to provide an understanding of the field of sustainable value management, which has been increasing in importance in the last few years. Current industry practice are analysed and incorporated into the underlying theories, including voluntary global standards, rating systems and regulations. Identifying and evaluating performance indicators that capture sustainable value drivers and the factors that create stakeholder value is increasingly important. Complex and changing contexts require a dynamic approach to planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting. Striking a balance between traditional financial factors and non-traditional financial factors being environmental, social and governance (ESG) with sustainable strategies can have a material impact on the valuation of organisational activities and inform investment decisions. Broadening this understanding to ways in which ESG factors can be addressed using financial instruments, a sustainable financial system and investment decisions provides context for strategic planning and effective capital raising. The subject draws on the experience and expertise of senior academics and industry practitioners.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Demonstrate comprehension of sustainable value management in strategic planning, reporting and financing decisions in organisations |
|---|---|
| 2. | Critically apply analytical decision-making tools and techniques to the valuation of financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors |
| 3. | Evaluate the techniques applied to sustainable valuation of organisational activities and investment decisions |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject develops students' knowledge and analytical skills in sustainability valuation and management by applying contemporary frameworks to the valuation of company activities. The knowledge developed in this subject is relevant to corporate transformation and standard stakeholder governance and reporting practices.
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attribute(s):
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
- Professional and technical competence
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is offered in blended learning mode during the short teaching periods of six weeks duration. The teaching and learning approach is a mix of online learning and in-class seminars typically scheduled over three evening seminars. Classes are based on blended and flipped learning approaches: students engage with learning materials (including papers, book extracts, videos, etc.) before attending seminars. Seminars include guided critical discussion of learning materials, group work on contemporary case studies, scenarios, workshops, peer discussions and learning from students own professional experiences. Discussions and application of theory, case studies and best practices are supported by online learning and communication tools and the UTS learning management system.
A formative assessment provides students with feedback to direct their self-study. Ongoing general and individual feedback will be provided throughout the subject via consultation seminars. A summative assessment provides feedback on students' comprehension and application of learning. Students also receive formal feedback on assessment tasks.
Content (topics)
- Sustainability and transition challenges
- Long term value creation and driving strategic change
- The relationship between organisation responsibility and material ESG factors
- Evaluate the various frameworks, rating systems and regulations and how they are used in organisational valuation
- The role of sustainable finance in strategic planning and capital raising
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Sustainability Report (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1,000 words |
| Criteria: |
|
Assessment task 2: ESG Presentation (Individual)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | 3-5 min video recorded board presentation and accompanying visuals plus a maximum 500-word committee summary report/board paper. |
| Criteria: |
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero. |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
References
Alda M. 2019. Corporate sustainability and institutional shareholders: The pressure of social responsible pension funds on environmental firm practices. Business Strategy and the Environment 28(6), pp1060-1071.
Eccles R., Ioannou I. and Serafeim G., 2014. The Impact of Corporate Sustainability on Organizational Processes and Performance. Management Science 60(3), pp.2381-2617.
Escrig-Olmedo E., Fernández-Izquierdo M., Ferrero-Ferrero I., Rivera-Lirio J. and Muñoz-Torres M., 2019. Rating the Raters: Evaluating how ESG Rating Agencies Integrate Sustainability Principles. Sustainability 11(3), pp. 1-16.
Figge, F. and Hahn, T., 2004. Sustainable value added—measuring corporate contributions to sustainability beyond eco-efficiency. Ecological economics, 48(2), pp.173-187.
Figge, F. and Hahn, T., 2005. The cost of sustainability capital and the creation of sustainable value by companies. Journal of industrial ecology, 9(4), pp.47-58.
Hart, S.L. and Milstein, M.B., 2003. Creating sustainable value. Academy of Management Perspectives, 17(2), pp.56-67.
Khaled R., Ali H. and Mohamed E.,2021. The Sustainable Development Goals and corporate sustainability performance: Mapping, extent and determinants. Journal of Cleaner Production, 311 (127599), pp.1-10.
Laszlo, C., 2008. Sustainable value: How the world's leading companies are doing well by doing good. Stanford University Press.
Schoenmaker, D. and Schramade, W., 2018. Principles of sustainable finance. Oxford University Press.
Zumente I. and Bistrova J., 2021. ESG Importance for Long-Term Shareholder Value Creation: Literature vs. Practice. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity 7(127), pp. 1-13.