2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

OLUB5206M Sustainable Business Strategies

15 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Sanaz Sigaroudi
Email: s.sigaroudi@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Mar to 30 Apr, 1 Mar to 30 Apr (2mth)(adv yr) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module.

Module replaces

None

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module equips students with the concepts, theories, and frameworks that will support them in analysing, planning and evaluating sustainable business practices. The module provides students with an insight into how sustainability has moved from a PR exercise to the core of strategic planning. It is no longer regarded as a burden but an accelerator for a company’s long-term success.

Objectives

Sustainable Business Strategies introduces topics in the intersection of strategic management and sustainability strategies. The module will equip students to make strategic judgements under ever-growing internal and external pressures to embrace social, community, and environmental values in their business practices.

In this module, we will cover the "what's", "whys" and "how's" of implementing sustainable business strategies.
- What is strategy and what is a mission driven company?
- Why should sustainability be part of business strategy
- Why companies should endorse sustainable business models, envisioning social innovation.
- How to analyse the internal and external environment, and how to evaluate sustainability performance.

Throughout the module students will use case studies and real-world examples to explore the practicalities of implementing and managing activities related to sustainable strategies.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Summarise what strategy is and why it is important to have a sustainable strategy.
2. Critically evaluate sustainable strategy main concepts, theories, and research schools (e.g. CSR, ESG, hybrid organizations, social enterprises, social innovation, strategy-as-practice).
3. Analyse key macro and industry factors that impel companies to be more sustainable and internal resources and capabilities that support the formulation of sustainable business strategies.
4. Apply the tools and skills related to sustainable business models.
5. Evaluate the implementation of sustainable business strategies.
6. Adopt a holistic global view when examining the key components of sustainable strategies, identifying and comparing different cultural perspectives and approaches.

Syllabus

Indicative content:

1. Introduction to sustainable strategies.
2. Macro and industry analysis.
3. Resources and capabilities analysis.
4. Hybrid organizations and sustainable business models.
5. Open strategies for transparency and inclusion.
6. Evaluating sustainable business strategies.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	6	1.00	6.00
Discussion forum	6	1.00	6.00
Independent online learning hours			24.00
Private study hours			114.00
Total Contact hours			12.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Independent online learning refers to non-facilitated directed learning. Students will work through bespoke interactive learning resources and reflective activities in the VLE.

Private study refers to directed reading and self-directed research in support of learning activities and discussions, as well as in preparation for assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- The module’s digital learning materials provide regular opportunities for participants to check their understanding and gain feedback (e.g., case studies with short answer questions and automated feedback, MCQs with detailed feedback on correct/incorrect answers).
- The individual unit webinars and discussion forums provide opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors.
- The module assessment (3,000 word project) will enable student progress to be monitored.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	3,000 word individual assignment	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The individual assignment will be a case study analysis based on a single organisation. In order to minimise the potential for plagiarism and the use of essay mills careful consideration will be given to the case study chosen. Organisations which often feature (e.g. Google, Nike, Apple, BP, WalMart, Starbucks, VW etc) will be avoided. If a student needs to resit the module they will be provided with details of a new case study organisation and asked to produce a new assignment.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/09/2024

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