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Introduction to Sustainable Business - ENV00115M

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Simon Mair
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

What is the role of business in delivering sustainable futures? In this module we explore how different forms of business might contribute to building more sustainable futures, with a particular focus on the challenge of meeting environmental sustainability targets whilst also delivering on social goals.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This course provides the groundwork for subsequent courses by looking at the relationship between organisations and sustainability. Taking this course, students will be introduced to key issues in sustainability and the ways that different organisations are attempting to tackle them. To this end students will be introduced to different analytical approaches to sustainability (such as the sustainable development goals, circular economy and post-growth economics) and their associated solutions. Students will then be introduced to theories of business, emphasising the variety and diversity of organisational form and motivations (such as the diverse economies and stakeholder theory). Using these perspectives, students will address questions such as: what does it mean for a business to be sustainable? Is there such a thing as sustainability performance? How is it measured and communicated? What are the roles of various stakeholders in this sustainability performance? Is sustainability actually achievable at the level of a single organisation? Through these questions and frameworks, students will explore the relationship between different businesses and possible solutions to the existential crisis we face. This will enable students to start their journeys toward future transformative occupations, whatever and wherever these might be.

The module will be assessed through: a reflective essay that asks students to explore their understanding of what they have learned and how this influences their future plans to engage in sustainability transformations; and a poster that helps students develop communication skills around improving the sustainability of organisations.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to

  • Identify and discuss the scientific principles which underlie sustainability problems, and classify, compare and weigh their solutions in the context of organisations.

  • Understand and evaluate the changes necessary in organisational functions for the transition to sustainability.

  • Appraise and critique the role of business in the transition to sustainability in relation to other types of actors and organisations.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of different business models and organisational forms, and the roles they play in the transition to a sustainable economy

Module content

Teaching will be a combination of weekly lectures and seminars and include a one-day fieldtrip.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective Essay		 N/A 30
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Poster presentation		 N/A 70

Special assessment rules

Other

Additional assessment information

The personal nature of reflective writing means that in practice assessments are unlikely to actually be anonymous even if submitted ‘anonymously’- students are required to reflect on personal experiences which may make them identifiable

Poster presentation will be given in person and so cannot be anonymised.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Formative feedback will be delivered orally or in written form. Feedback on the reflective essay will follow DEG guidelines with scripts being annotated and a feedback form provided. Feedback for the poster presentation will be provided orally during the event and via completion of a feedback form.

Indicative reading

Blühdorn, I., & Deflorian, M. (2019). The Collaborative Management of Sustained Unsustainability: On the Performance of Participatory Forms of Environmental Governance. Sustainability, 11.

Ghoshal, S. (2005). Bad Management Theories Are Destroying Good Management Practices. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 4.

Hankammer, S., Kleer, R., Mühl, L., & Euler, J. (2021). Principles for organizations striving for sustainable degrowth: Framework development and application to four B Corps. Journal of Cleaner Production, 300.

Kinderman, D. (2012). ‘Free us up so we can be responsible!’ The co-evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility and neo-liberalism in the UK, 1977–2010. Socio-Economic Review, 10.

Niessen, L., & Bocken, N. M. P. (2021). How can businesses drive sufficiency? The business for sufficiency framework. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 28.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.