BA (Hons) Global Business and Sustainability Management

Module Descriptions for Year 3, Semester 2

DIS6900 Dissertation: Design and Submission
STM6800 Strategy, Innovation and Sustainable Global Enterprise

1 Pathway Elective ( 5 modules to choose from):
STM6710 Knowledge Management and Sustainability
STM6730 Sustainability in the Global Trade Supply Chain
DSM6410 Managing Design and Sustainability Innovation
BUS6360 Entrepreneurship in the Global Environment
FIN6620 Global Financial Ethics
1 free choice elective (30 modules to choose from)

DIS6300 Dissertation: Design and Submission (15 credits)

The Dissertation module spreading over two semesters, provides a unique opportunity for every student to carry out a significant piece of independent study relevant to her/his chosen degree pathway in one of five areas: Global Business Management, Global Business and Design Management, Global Business and Sustainability Management, Global Financial Management, and Global Marketing Management. Everyone will design and produce a Dissertation of 10,000 words. The class sessions aim to show students how to design, plan and execute research programmes, and to present results effectively. To facilitate the successful completion of this task, each student will be assigned to a member of academic staff who will serve as her/his personal Dissertation Supervisor. Upon successful completion, students will be able to engage effectively with research projects that require planning, data collection, and data analysis resulting in a well-planned and well-written academic research submission

STM6800 Strategy, Innovation and Sustainable Global Enterprise

This module explores the connections between ‘global sustainability’ and business strategy, as it lends itself to the unlimited business opportunities arising through a need to address the world's most difficult problems. Environmental thinking and social responsiveness are integrated proactively into core business processes, systems, strategies and are often the driving force for innovation.

For growing number of companies, competitive advantage is rooted in such new capabilities as eco-efficiency, stakeholder dialogue, clean technology, green energy and many others. Upon successful completion of this module students will gain not only an understanding of the relationship innovation and sustainable global enterprise, but also will be able to think strategically around the issues such a perspective entails.

1 Sustainability Management Pathway (15 Credits) Elective from:

STM6710 Knowledge Management and Sustainability (15 Credits)

This module takes a broad view of knowledge management as a subject that includes communication, sense-making, learning, intangible assets, human resources, organisational knowledge and knowledge technologies. Knowledge creation, situated in a local context, is related to international interconnectedness and globalisation and its relationship to the concepts of sustainability. The module aims to offer students an ability to differentiate between simplistic knowledge management ‘solutions’ and the process of knowing how to ‘make a difference’ – the practice of power – which lies at the heart of effective management, thus leading to sustainable management of change within business context.

STM6730 Sustainability in the Global Trade Supply Chain (15 Credits)

The concept of sustainable development has emerged as the realisation has grown that the natural resources that the world’s populations depend on are not finite. Global evidence increasingly emphasises that the gradual warming of the planet through the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) will destroy the planet and human life if humans do not take steps to limit the increasing degradation of the planet. Global trade has been increasing quickly in recent years as the process of globalisation has developed, and involved most countries. Although, within the context of global trade supply chain, much of the problem of global warming is caused by transport emissions, the problem of sustainability links into global trade by a natural desire to ensure that the resources that are used should be sustained for the benefit of future generations. This module, in terms that relate to global trade, examines the supply chains that criss-cross the globe and investigates critically the changes that need to be considered if the resources used in those supply chains are to become sustainable. Upon its completion, students would have gained a critical understanding of the relationship between economics, ethics and environment and its impact on the global trade supply chain.

DSM6410 Managing Design and Sustainability Innovation (15 Credits)

This module provides a platform for students to investigate, examine and discuss how design practice can generate new ideas and / or discoveries that could lead to innovation within ecologically focused business practices and consider implementation of sustainable company culture that draws on the relationship between economics, ethics and environment (planet, profit, people). On successful completion, students will be versed in the theoretical concepts of innovation and be able to identify structures within sustainability where innovation can take place. They will also have the ability to recognise barriers within sustainability and business contexts that may stifle the development of innovation.

BUS6360 Entrepreneurship in the Global Environment (15 credits)

The 21st century will see a continuation and intensification of changes in company management as creativity and innovation skills become more dominant forces in the struggle to maintain market share. The entrepreneur is likely to play a more significant part in the growth and development of national economies. In addition, the model of social entrepreneurship as the embedded sustainability perspective is used to question current and future roles of entrepreneurs. Upon successful completion, students will be able to critically analyse and comment with regards to the characteristics of the entrepreneur, the impact of social entrepreneurship, finally linking up with management of family-run businesses often seen as living examples of entrepreneurialism in action.

FIN6620 Global Financial Ethics (15 Credits)

Students undertaking this module will acquire an understanding of the underlying ethical rationale for professional codes of ethics for finance and accounting practitioners. Building on STM5900 Corporate Social Responsibility module, an in-depth assessment of the nature of corporate governance and the link to corporate performance will be made. The importance of effective governance of companies and proper stewardship is explored in the context of the relationship between the corporate entity, directors, shareholders and other stakeholders. Obligations of directors, their role as agents of the shareholders, company performance and the link to remuneration are examined. Additionally, students will explore the increased complexity of business and new technologies that result in an environment where professional managers need some background in forensic accounting to better understand their organisations. Recent interest has been fuelled by well-publicised scandals in major international corporations. The module would aim to help students identify the roles and responsibilities of a forensic accountant, understand the legal framework in which forensic analysis takes place, describe sound investigative strategies, identify appropriate damage methodologies, understand issues of ethics as related to corporate governance, and explore the financial statements in search of fraud and/or accounting abuse.

Page last updated 3/17/2010