Overview

This unit challenges students to identify and evaluate major socio-economic issues, the role of various stakeholders, and the potential for business solutions that can drive sustainable development and positive social impact. A major focus is on gaining a critical appreciation of stakeholder theory and understanding how this theory frames relationships between business and other sectors of economy and society, including not for profit actors and government. It will also cover several important areas that stakeholder theory has helped to shape and define including business ethics, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, philanthropy and social impact.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sustainability and social impact issues and trends in relation to business and its connection with government and civil society
  • Analyse the nature of business and economic processes considering various stakeholder perspectives of sustainability and social impact
  • Work collaboratively to produce well-reasoned and evidenced arguments that address major societal issues
  • Communicate using a variety of digital technologies

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00  12 weeks  24
Online
Lecture (asynchronous)
1.00  12 weeks  12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
9.50  12 weeks  114
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case Study Group  40 - 50%  1,2,3 
Pitch Presentations Individual  20 - 40%  1,2,4
Online Tests Individual  20 - 30%  1,2

Content

  • The changing business-society interface: understanding business, government and civil society relations
  • Stakeholder theory and business ethics
  • Corporate social responsibility, philanthropy and social entrepreneurship
  • The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global dimensions of business sustainability 
  • Business and climate change

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.