Business Ethics and Sustainability

Business ethics and sustainability

Unit code: BMO5501

Credit points: 12

This unit critically reviews the socio-cultural environment in which business operates. Ethical frameworks for decision making will be critiqued and students will construct the debates surrounding contemporary corporate responsibility and sustainable development as they impact on organisations in their local and global contexts. Emphasis will be on how new pressures on businesses arise, and how effective the various models that structure organisational responses are to these dynamic and emergent challenges.

Learning outcomes

 

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discriminate between key western philosophical approaches to ethics.
  2. Discriminate between ethics, legal requirements, and religious doctrine as they impact on contemporary business and be able to critically comment upon the role of culture in ethical decision making.
  3. Advocate a position on the ethical issues associated with the western capitalist business system through analysis, critique and the presentation of corroborating evidence.
  4. Exemplify professional judgement in assessing alternative perspectives of corporate responsibility in the context of contemporary business issues.
  5. Evaluate the sustainability agenda and justify the assessment of the implications for business.
  6. Evaluate and debate the role of social movements and institutional changes to business operations.
  7. Clearly communicate conclusions to inter-disciplinary audiences demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

 

Assessment

 

The assessment for this unit has been designed specifically for our online students and will occur at various times across the seven-week study period.

Assessment activities may include essays, reports, case study analysis, tests and quizzes, reflective writing and/or business plans.

 

Related course/s

 

This unit is studied as part of the online Master of Business Administration and Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.