2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1390 Introduction to Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Prof William Young
Email: c.w.young@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

What do Unilever, Marks and Spencer and Asda have in common? They are all tackling their environmental and social impacts through corporate responsibility programmes but they have completely different public images. Why? In this module you will learn how to tell the difference between green PR and sustainability innovation in enterprises small and large. Which stakeholders such as pressure groups, consumers and workers have the most influence over changing company behaviour for the better? How do managers make decisions that both are complex and have competing factors to improve sustainability practice in Brand companies and supply chains? The answers and critical company corporate responsibility strategies, ethics, barriers and opportunities will be covered in this module. Case studies of large and small enterprises will be analysed and discussed. An essential module for future business managers or concerned consumers. This module is open to all those interested no matter the background.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will:
1. Have a general understanding of the concepts and theories of corporate environmental management and more generally corporate responsibility.
2. Be able to appreciate and debate the ethical issued facing companies in their operations.
3. Have an understanding of the regulatory and stakeholder pressures on business.
4. Have a general understanding of business approaches to the environmental management and corporate responsibility.
5. Have knowledge of current best and worst business practice through case studies.

Learning outcomes
The module places considerable emphasis on:
- recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles;
- analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research;
- referencing work in an appropriate manner;
- receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual numerical, verbal, graphical).

The module places moderate emphasis on:
- applying knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems;
- communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical form;
- using the Internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information;
- developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (eg working independently, time management and organisation skills);
- identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development;
- developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.

The module places some emphasis on:
- collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses;
- recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct;
- planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, including the use of secondary data;
- appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collecting, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory;
- identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles;
- recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members;
- evaluating performance as an individual and a team member.

Skills outcomes
The module places considerable emphasis on:

- recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles;
- analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research;
- referencing work in an appropriate manner;
- receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual numerical, verbal, graphical).

The module places moderate emphasis on:

- applying knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems;
- communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical form;
- using the Internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information;
- developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (eg working independently, time management and organisation skills);
- identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development;
- developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.

The module places some emphasis on:

- collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses;
- recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct;
- planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, including the use of secondary data;
- appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collecting, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory;
- identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles;
- recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members;
- evaluating performance as an individual and a team member.

Syllabus

This module consists of lectures and workshops designed to provide grounding in the issues surrounding business, environment and corporate responsibility. It starts by outlining concepts and theories such as triple bottom line, natural step etc before reviewing the historical and contemporary ethical issues faced by companies across the globe.

The module examines both internal and external pressures and expectations from regulators and relevant stakeholders including labour, customers, regulators, suppliers, shareholders, communities, and special interest groups to meet economic, social, and environmental standards of performance.

The module introduces the strategies and tools companies can implement to balance economic value creation, environmental integrity, and social equity.

Throughout the module case studies of best and worst practice will be used to illustrate how different types of companies implement different levels of environmental management and corporate responsibility.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	22	1.00	22.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Tutorial	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			148.00
Total Contact hours			52.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- 22 hours reading, 1hr per lecture
- 58 hours for workshop and tutorial preparation
- 68 hours preparation for exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Feedback on understanding of key theories in tutorial groups.
- Feedback on MCQ formative test on key terms, tools, theories and concepts.
- Feedback on sustainability reporting exercise.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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