MNM3SUS-Sustainability

Module Provider: International Business and Strategy
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:NA
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: p.j.mcmanners@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for society, driving government policy and an important influence on business strategy. Understanding sustainability and the implications has become a vital component of strategic analysis. This module is designed to enable participants to critically evaluate the potential impact of sustainability on a sector and analyse how business can respond.

Aims:

To enable participants to critically evaluate the potential impact of sustainability on a sector, sustainable business models and approaches to enhance sustainability. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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  Understand sustainability within a business context; 

  
  


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  Awareness of the lenses of sustainability and how to apply them;  

  
  


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  Be able to analysis an industry or firm to assess the opportunities and potential impact of sustainability. 

  
  

Additional outcomes:

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  The ability to think ‘outside the box’ in considering how sustainability is likely to shape the future business environment. 

  
  

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  Students will also develop team working skills through completion of group work. 

  
  

Outline content:

1. Sustainability and today’s business perspective 

2.Lenses of Sustainability 

 - External: Environment and resource limits 

 - Internal: Strategy and Reputation 

3. Looking to the Future

4. Putting it into Practice 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The learning transmission will be primarily through the workshop. Before the workshop, participants will be invited to read selected material on sustainability as it relates to the business context. The one-day workshop will focus on sustainability in practice, and will include group exercises. Following the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to carry out a sustainability analysis on a particular industry and consider the implications for one particular firm. The results will be presented in a report which will be examined. The learning materials will include a short study guide which includes signposts to relevant pre-workshop reading. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Individual Report of 3,500. Submission dates are according to the programme schedule.   

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for the individual assignment is 50%. 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment by 100% assignment (capped at 50%); to be submitted within 6 weeks of notification of module failure, date dependent on cohort entry and to be advised by the Programme Administrator.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020