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MGMT7007 Managing for Sustainability

Offered By School of Mgt, Marketing & International Business
Academic Career Graduate Coursework
Course Subject Management
Offered in First Semester, 2009 and First Semester, 2010
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description

In the 21st century, corporations cannot ignore the impact of increasing formal (regulatory) and informal (community) expectations relating to economic, social, and environmental sustainability.  This course examines the scope of these expectations, explores the reasons behind these expectations, and evaluates the impact of these expectations on corporations operating in a dynamic competitive environment in a capitalist economy. The course takes the perspective of an individual corporation that wants to: examine both its internal and external environments to determine the range of sustainability issues that it faces; develop strategies for sustainable practices that enhance its competitive position; make a business case to a range of its stakeholders, including owners, for the adoption of those sustainable practices; and understand the principal barriers to the implementation of those practices.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to promote an understanding, within the context of a capitalist economy, of:

  • the importance to each individual corporate entity of corporate sustainability;
  • the inter-relationship between the environmental, social, and economic aspects of corporate sustainability;
  • key drivers and inhibitors, both external and internal to the corporation, of the environmental and social aspects of corporate sustainability;
  • the roles of social and environmental risk, and product and process innovation, in developing corporate sustainability; and
  • theoretical and practical constraints on the development of a business case for corporate sustainability;
  • and provide an overview of:
  • the principal ‘toolkits' currently used by practitioners to recognise and appropriately resolve environmental and social sustainability issues in business; and
  • current best practice in corporate sustainability. 

The course seeks to equip students with analytical skills relevant to solving issues relating to corporate sustainability. Upon completion of the course students would be expected to have attained proficiency in:

  • the ability to identify and analyse, within the context of economic sustainability, issues within a corporation that relate to its environmental and social sustainability;
  • the ability to make a case to a range of stakeholders, including managers, Boards, and owners for addressing specific corporate sustainability issues; and
  • the ability to develop appropriate policies and plans to address these issues.
Indicative Assessment Individual assignments (30%), Group report and presentation (30%), Final examination (30%), Seminar participation (10%).
Workload 3.5 hour seminar.  A total workload for an average student of ten hours per week over 13 weeks.
Course Classification(s) TransitionalTransitional courses are designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds and learning achievements, which provide for the acquisition of generic skills; or an informed understanding of contemporary issues; or fundamental knowledge for transition to Advanced or Specialist courses.
Areas of Interest Management
Eligibility At least an average of 65% (or equivalent) in the final two years of an Australian undergraduate degree
Prescribed Texts

See Course Website: http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=MGMT7007

 

Preliminary Reading

See Course Website: http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=MGMT7007

 

Indicative Reading List

See Course Website: http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=MGMT7007

 

Programs Master of Business, Master of Business, Master of Commerce, Master of Commerce, and Master of Climate Change
Other Information For further information please see http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/courses/course.asp?code=MGMT7007
Academic Contact Dr Royston Gustavson

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions