ICM614: Sustainability in the Business World

Module code: ICM614

Module provider: ICMA Centre; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr Michele Costola, email: m.costola@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Sustainability is becoming a priority not only in government policy but also in business strategy. The role of the private sector in achieving sustainable production and consumption models is key to preserve fast depleting natural resources, improve social justice and reduce inequalities, address climate change and loss of biodiversity. This module explores how sustainability can be incorporated in business practices and balanced with corporate growth objectives. You will look at how to implement sustainability objectives in a corporate environment and how governments can facilitate corporate sustainability with the right incentives and policies. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:  

1. Explain how corporations can integrate sustainability in their business practices and differences in approaches to sustainability in developed and developing economies. 
2. Critically evaluate costs and benefits of sustainable options and the balance between  growth and sustainability in the corporate world. 
3. Evaluate the data needs to design and implement sustainability strategies by corporate management. 
4. Critically assess the role of government subsidies and technological advances for faster adoption of the SDG in the business world. 

Module content

1. Corporate environmental sustainability: how businesses can help preserve the natural environment and its resources for future generations. 
2. Corporate social sustainability: fair treatment of people and communities, as well as promotion of social equity and justice. 
3. Sustainable business growth: balancing economic growth and development with environmental and social considerations to ensure long-term prosperity. 
4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the business world. 
5. Sustainability in developing economies: trade-off between growth and SDGs? 
6. Business opportunities offered by a circular economy. 
7. Biodiversity conservation: how businesses can protect the diversity of plant and animal species and their habitats. 
8. Sustainable consumption and production: responsible use of resources and minimizing waste throughout the production and consumption process. 
9. Data for designing and implementing sustainability strategies. 
10. Government incentives for corporate sustainability: international case studies. 
11. Job opportunities in corporate sustainability. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The topics are introduced in lectures which are then followed by seminars which allow for a deeper discussion of the concepts. 

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% weighted average mark 

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs