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Parent Programme
Bachelor of Business Level 7 NFQ
NFQ Level & Reference
Level 7 / Ref: M3.4
Duration
12 Weeks X 2.5 Hours per week
MODULE TITLE
Business & Sustainability
STAGE
Award
Module Credit Units
ECTS 5

Business & Sustainability Module

Introducing Business & Sustainability

Learners will understand the importance of Sustainability in business which refers to a company's strategy to reduce negative environmental impacts from their operations while also creating an equitable society, a healthy planet, and a thriving economy. Although we often think of protecting the planet when we hear "sustainability," it encompasses much more. It includes environmental, social, governance, and economic issues, all of which need to be balanced for true sustainability.

With the threat of climate change becoming too significant to ignore, businesses face increasing pressure and opportunity to establish sustainability goals. The case for business sustainability is strong and gaining momentum, as companies can no longer overlook the issue when climate change affects supply chains and customer expectations demand action. Research shows that businesses operating sustainably drive innovation, build brand value, and achieve greater profitability.

Research methods

Sustainability and its Relevance to Business

  • Define sustainability and why it matters
  • Stakeholder groups driving the sustainable agenda
  • Using UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for analysis and decision-making
  • Regulatory framework
  • Greenwashing

Sustainability, Competitive Advantage and Decision Making

  • Improve financial performance
  • Lower cost of capital
  • Improve risk management
  • Stay ahead of ESG compliance and reporting obligations
  • Enhance brand and increase competitive advantage
  • Attract, engage and retain employees
  • Foster innovation

Sustainable Strategy

  • Assessing the sustainability of a business
  • Threats if a business does not pursue a sustainability strategy
  • Change agents, champions, and green teams
  • Embedding sustainability into the fabric of the business and develop metrics and report the tracking of sustainability performance
  • Sustainable management system

The Role of Marketing in Sustainability

  • Regulatory and consumer expectations
  • Understanding market expectations and developing an appropriate marketing strategy
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Community-based social marketing
  • Cause-related marketing
  • Labelling, certification and standards
  • Sustainability reporting

Sustainable Supply Chains and Circularity

  • Demand from customers and investors for ethical practices in supply chain
  • Circular supply chains defined
  • Building supply chain resilience
  • Barriers to a circular economy

Challenges with Sustainability in Business 

  • Political leadership and instability between nations, that occurs due to conflicts
  • Legislation and building institutions that follow strong governance
  • Sustainable management and leadership
  • Managing unrealistic expectations
  • Innovation and transformation issues

Minimum Intended Learning Outcomes (MIMLOs)

Upon successful completion of this module, the learner should be able to:
MIMLO1
Explain sustainability concepts and issues and its relevance to business.
MIMLO2
Reflect on sustainability considerations in a range of management decisions and discuss how sustainability can help in achieving a competitive advantage.
MIMLO3
Describe how a business can create a sustainable strategy.
MIMLO4
Analyse the role of marketing in sustainability.
MIMLO5
Explain how a business can create a sustainable supply chain and circularity.
MIMLO6
Discuss the challenges a business may encounter when developing a sustainable approach to business.

Assessment

MIMLOs
Assessment
Percentage
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
CA 1: Case study
Total 100%
Proctored Examination
All Assessments

Reassessment Opportunity

Where the combined marks of the assessment and examination do not reach the pass mark the learner will be required to repeat the element of assessment that they failed. Reassessment materials will be published on Moodle after the Examination Board Meeting and will be aligned to the MIMLOs and learners will be capped at 40% unless there are personal mitigating circumstances.

Aims & Objectives

This module explores sustainability in the context of its significance to a business. The aim of the module is to enable the graduate to understand the importance of developing sustainable strategies and solutions for a business to reach its current and future potential.

Learners will learn to assess the potential value added from the adoption of a sustainable and green agenda. They will gain insights into how to align sustainability with corporate strategy, marketing and distribution strategies. The module will also explore and reflect on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ecosystem and its integration into business decisions.

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