Module Code - Title:
SG6121
-
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Effective business strategy requires a sustainable focus; a focus on the ethical, social, environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions of doing business. The aim of the module is to introduce students to the key concepts and tools of Corporate Sustainability, with a basic grounding in responsibility and business ethics.
Syllabus:
This course explores the relationship between business and sustainability, which encompasses environmental, economic, and social factors. Students are introduced to the key frameworks, concepts and tools of sustainability in business, including ethics and corporate responsibility including the history and origins of business sustainability and the dynamic nature of standards in the area. Students will develop a comprehensive taxonomy of the responsibilities that might be imputed to an organisation in the area of sustainability encompassing environmental, economic, and social factors, and will explore these at a micro-, meso- and macro-level. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as contemporary best practices, cases and applications. In that context, students are encouraged to think creatively about potential responses by profit-based organizations to global sustainability challenges.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of how economic, environmental and social sustainability are an integral, interrelated and complex part of the landscape in which business organizations operate;
• Demonstrate an understanding of sustainability at three levels: societal, organizational and individual;
• Critically analyze the sustainability performance of an organization on a range of relevant dimensions;
• Examine sustainable business practices as a value driver for business and society.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Reconcile relevant ethical dilemmas based in domestic and international organizational contexts
• Form well-informed views on the role of stakeholders and shareholders in the formation of business decisions
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
A social constructivist pedagogical approach will be embedded into the learning environment to scaffold student learning and promote an environment of curiosity and responsibility by encouraging experience-sharing, collaboration, and constructive criticism. Discussions and debate will be supported using a flipped-classroom approach to learning.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Killian, S. (2023)
Doing Good Business: How to Build Sustainable Value
, Chartered Accountants Ireland
Other Relevant Texts:
Viardot, E. (2017)
The timeless principles of successful business strategy: Corporate sustainability as the new driving force
, Springer
Sullivan, R., and Mackenzie, C. (Eds.) (2017)
Responsible Investment
, Routledge
Montgomery, J., and Van Clieaf, M. (2023)
Net Zero Business Models: Winning in the Global Net Zero Economy
, Wiley
O'Brien, J. (2023)
Sustainable Procurement: A Practical Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain
, Kogan Page Publishers
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSIACCTFA - ACCOUNTING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Ellen.Jordan@ul.ie