Module Details

Module Code: MRKT9012
Title: Sustainable Business Practice
Long Title: Sustainable Business Practice
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3420 - Marketing & Advertising
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: The focus of this module is on developing and communicating sustainable practices within organisations in today’s interconnected global economy. Decisions relating to the different facets of sustainability, and developing these with the various stakeholders in the supply chain to drive change with purpose, will be examined. This study programme provides participants with knowledge of both the strategic and operational aspects of sustainable practices, knowledge that can
then be applied in a practical situation.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Differentiate and critically evaluate the different facets of sustainability in international business.
LO2 Critically analyse and communicate the importance of economic sustainability for commercial organisations in today's changing global marketplace.
LO3 Appraise the environmental actions and campaigns of top global firms, with a view to adapting examples in best-practice to drive sustainable change elsewhere.
LO4 Compile, modify and promote socially sustainable business strategies for organisations selling in the international sphere - communicating on working with purpose.
LO5 Critically appraise the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, and evaluate how global sustainable development goals can shape local business.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to, and the Evolution of, Sustainability
The Brundtland Report; the rise and fall of green marketing; the connection between society’s ambitions for economic growth, earth’s limitations, and unequal distribution of wealth; global warming and the point of no return.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
The impact of globalisation and outsourcing; Life Cycle Analysis; supply chain stakeholders and the nature of relationships; responsible chain management in the global landscape.
Economic Sustainability
From traditional control and accounting systems to new performance measurement systems - leading organisational change and creating competitive advantage; from Balanced Scorecard to Integrated Reporting - communicating economic sustainability in today's global world.
Environmental Sustainability
Metrics for measuring environmental impact and driving change in organisations and society; the Ozone Layer to Carbon Footprint; Supply Chain Sustainability; Feeding the world and sustaining the planet; Traceability.
Social Sustainability
Promoting purpose driven companies; Standards and programmes across a global landscape; FLOCERT and Fairtrade; Underlying attitudes of consumers and leading change in organisations - winning both hearts and minds of all stakeholders involved.
Making Global Goals Local Business
The United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda - goals to transform our world; How organisations are aligning to SDGs and communicating the commitments they are making to drive meaningful change.
The Future of Sustainable Business
The evolving nature of business and sustainability; best practice in operation across the globe; business ecosystems - ideal structures for sustainable strategic management practice.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Authentic Assessment - Group Based - incorporating proposal of a change management strategy for the client seeking to improve their sustainability credentials and development of a supporting communications campaign targeting the various stakeholders.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Direct contact with the student Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Research and reading Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Direct contact with the student Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Research and reading Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • by Elena Cavagnaro & George H. Curiel. (2022), The Three Levels of Sustainability, 2nd. Routledge, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9780367726256].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • by Jean-Pierre Imbrogiano. (2024), Understanding Sustainability Performance in Business Organizations - Implications for the Sustainability Service Industry, 1st. Routledge, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9781032344119].
  • by Rob van Tulder & Eveline van Mil. (2023), Principles of Sustainable Business: Frameworks for Corporate Action on the SDGs, Routledge, Milton Park, [ISBN: 10007114559781000711455].
  • by Helen Kopnina, Rory Padfield & Josephine Mylan. (2023), Sustainable Business - Key Issues, 3rd. Routledge, Milton, [ISBN: 9781032209685].
  • by Andreas Rasche, Mette Morsing, Jeremy Moon & Arno Kourula. (2023), Corporate Sustainability: Managing Responsible Business in a Globalised World, 2nd. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 10091004089781009100403].
  • by Iana Nesterova. (2024), Degrowth, Depth and Hope in Sustainable Business, 1st. Routledge, Oxfordshire, [ISBN: 9781032589589].
  • by Dalia D'Amato, Anne Toppinen & Robert A. Kozak. (2022), The Role of Business in Global Sustainability Transformations, 1st. Routledge, United Kingdom, [ISBN: 9780367434830].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Various articles. Journal of Consumer Marketing.
  • Various articles. Journal of Business Ethics.
  • Various articles. Journal of Marketing.
  • Various articles. European Journal of Marketing.
  • Various articles. Journal of Marketing Research.
  • Various articles. International Journal of Consumer Research.
  • Various articles. British Food Journal.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BIBUS_9 Master of Science in International Business 2 Mandatory
CR_BINBU_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in International Business 2 Mandatory