SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT - 2023/4
Module code: MANM444
Module Overview
The module is an advanced, research-led module on sustainability and social innovation. It offers research-led insights into current issues and anticipated trends in sustainability, social innovation, and the changing role of business in society.
The module will consider the current theory and critically examine the corporate practice of managing for sustainability, including aspects of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, innovation and strategic, operational and supply chain solutions for improving sustainability on an international scale. We will examine the social, environmental, economic and business case for sustainability in the global context and reflect on the possible trajectories for the advancement of the sustainability agenda.
We will study the emergent trends in organizing for the fulfilment of social needs that are insufficiently (or not at all) addressed by either the private or public sector and examine the case for the social enterprise. We will examine the practice of social entrepreneurship and innovation and reflect on the transferability of the model to more traditional organizations. We will examine how value is created through social innovation and enterprise and look at the associated challenges and opportunities for the future.
Module provider
Surrey Business School
Module Leader
MATOS Stelvia (SBS)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 100
Lecture Hours: 10
Seminar Hours: 20
Guided Learning: 10
Captured Content: 10
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None.
Module content
Indicative content includes:
The case for Sustainability - key drivers, theories and arguments
Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Current concepts and models of Sustainability
Current issues in Sustainable Management: policy, regulation, and practice
Organizing for Sustainability: Strategy, Operations, and the Value Chain
Innovating for sustainable development, including key technological, commercial, organizational ad societal issues facing new innovations, and how they interact
Managing change and transformation towards sustainable business practice
The case for Social Innovation - key drivers, theories and arguments
Theoretical perspectives on achieving change through social innovation and enterprise
Practical approaches to creating value through social innovation and enterprise
Funding social innovation
Current issues in Social Innovation and Enterprise.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | Individual assignment 1 | 20 |
Coursework | Individual assignment 2 | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
n/a
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate advanced understanding of the subject matter and mastery of the learning outcomes through practical application.
These are assessed as an integrative collaborative project that showcases students' subject-specific knowledge and cognitive skills as well as their practical ability to apply their learning to complex problems and tasks in the relevant domain of professional practice.
Students who may need to re-sit the team assessment will have to prepare an individual business plan for a sustainable social enterprise.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Formative Feedback and assessment
Module aims
- Develop an in-depth appreciation of the evolving social, political, economic, and environmental obligations facing business organisations and the ways in which these diverse pressures are being addressed through sustainable approaches to management
- Provide a critical overview of the theory and corporate practice of sustainable management and associated trends and challenges
- Provide an in-depth understanding of social innovation and entrepreneurship as a model for creating social value and an alternative to both private and public business models
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the evolving relationship between business and society and the growing environmental, political, economic and societal pressures for change towards sustainability | CKP |
002 | Develop a critical appreciation of the current sustainability issues facing managers and organisations and the emerging trends in sustainable management theory and practice | CKPT |
003 | Demonstrate critical awareness of the opportunities and limitations associated with sustainable management and corporate social responsibility | CKPT |
004 | Identify and analyse the implications of current organisational policies and practices for a sustainable future | CKPT |
005 | Work independently and as part of a team to identify issues, analyse problems and develop innovative solutions and sound recommendations | CKPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed on the principles of project-based experimental pedagogy and this combines research-informed academic content with applied learning through project work.
Learning and teaching are research-led and follows a student-focused, experimental, flipped-classroom methodology with online elements. It comprises lectures, seminars, group discussions, Masterclass sessions, study trips, . It includes active and self-directed learning - both group and individual. Prior to attending the lecture and seminar, students are expected to undertake the essential reading and complete any set work for the sessions.
The project work, which is the basis of both active learning and module assessment, is designed to give students the experience of working in an international and cross-cultural context. It is supported by engagement with practice through a study trip and a series of Masterclass sessions, which may include talks from guest practitioners, research seminars, webinars and company visits. Together with dedicated group project tutorials - run face-to-face or online (synchronously) - these sessions are designed to support student learning through project work and provide formative feedback in preparation for the assessment.
The learning and teaching methods include:
Lectures are mainly designed to illustrate and explain theoretical concepts and models.
Seminars/group discussions are designed to develop a more practical insight into the applied nature of the various topics covered: they help explore the theoretical concepts and models by reference to a range of topical issues and case studies.
Active learning includes engaging in classroom practical exercises, video and case analyses, and group project work.
Active learning through online study (synchronous and asynchronous)
Self-directed learning pertains to engaging with learning materials and undertaking desk-research required for classroom participation and assessment.
Study trips are designed to allow students the opportunity to observe the phenomena they study in practice and engage with the relevant practice and practitioners in their own setting and context.
Masterclass sessions are there to support the student-led projects, which run throughout the duration of the module and are the basis for the module assessment. Masterclass sessions deal with current issues of direct relevance to student projects and are informed by the latest research and business practice.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM444
Other information
This module enables students to dive deep into sustainability as a concept and practice for global cooperations. Understanding sustainability in the global context is a key aspect for corporations and social enterprises when hiring new talent (employability). Students will also develop resilience and resourcefulness awareness during this module.
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Management MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.