NES2108 : Sustainable Business Practice
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Albert Boaitey
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
One of the key questions facing businesses is how to meet the rapidly changing stakeholder expectations and transition to new more sustainable models of business. The goal of this module is to introduce students to the concept of sustainable business, changing regulatory environment, the role of state and non-state actors, and current measurement, reporting and verification issues. This module will enable students develop the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate the theoretical and applied aspects of how firms integrate sustainable and ethical approaches into their everyday business practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on agribusiness and food firms.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Framework and business modules
2. Corporate citizenship and legitimacy
3. Sustainability in food supply chains
4. Regulatory Issues
5. Non-business stakeholders
6. Sustainability measurement, reporting and verification.
7. Industry case studies
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Group sustainability strategy report (60%) and presentation (40%) |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Module lecturer will give students relevant reading to prepare for lectures. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Workshops will provide an opportunity for students to practice their analytical skills and undertake formative assessment exercises. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Drop-in surgeries for students to ask questions and seek guidance on the assessed exercise. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 36:00 | 36:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will have full access to all reading materials. Class discussion, Q/A sessions, debates will be encouraged during class. Lecture material is comprehensive, extensive and requires substantial student study outside the classroom.
The assignment is set specifically to test learning objectives, and to encourage students to practice their critical analytical skills and extend and apply their knowledge and understanding to be able to achieve these outcomes. Students are given a range of opportunities to critically engage with materials from both the academic and practitioner literature.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | A | 60 | Group case study report outlining sustainability strategy for firm. (2000 words) |
| Oral Presentation | 1 | A | 40 | Group presentation of sustainability strategy (15 mins) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The summative assignments will consist of a report and an in-class presentation in which the students will be tested in a range of skills including knowledge and understanding of current sustainable practice issue as well as critical analytical skills and report writing skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2108's Timetable