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2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1390 Introduction to Business, Environment and Corporate Responsibility

20 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Iva Bimpli
Email: I.Bimpli@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

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. The module is organised into 6 ‘themes’ each of which is 3 lectures and 3 workshops:

Theme 1: The grand theories of business, environment and corporate responsibility.
Theme 2: Consumer behaviour on sustainability issues.
Theme 3: Incorporating sustainability into decision-making.
Theme 4: Managing sustainability in supply chains.
Theme 5: Transparency and reporting on sustainability.
Theme 6: Case studies of sustainable companies.

These ‘themes’ are the main methods a ‘sustainable business director’ will use in practice to influence the sustainability issues in their own company’s strategy and operations, of their managers and employees as well as of suppliers and supply chain, customers and other stakeholders using cross-industry best practice.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Workshop211.0021.00
Lecture211.0021.00
Tutorial61.006.00
Private study hours152.00
Total Contact hours48.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- 21 hours reading, 1 hr per lecture
- 58 hours for workshop and tutorial preparation
- 73 hours preparation for CriticalReviews

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Formative feedback on Theme 1 (Grand Theories)
- Feedback on drafted Critical Reviews.
- Peer review and feedback on workshop exercises.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Assignment2 x Critical Reviews. Critical Review 1 assesses Themes 2 & 3, including theoretical input from Theme 1 (2,000 words for 44% of the final module mark). Critical Review 2 assesses Themes 4 & 5 by utilising practical knowledge gained through the cases analysed in Theme 6 (2,500 words for 56% of the final module mark)100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)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: 10/05/2023 16:29:07

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