Module title

Business Ethics and Sustainability

CRN

39286

Level

6

Assessment title

Individual Written Assignment

Weighting within module

This assessment is worth 60% of the overall module mark.

Submission deadline date and time

For coursework assessments only: students with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) should check their RAP to see if an extension to this submission date has been agreed.

Module Leader/Assessment set by

Please refer all queries related to the assessment of this module to the module leader, Chris Doran.

How to submit

Please submit your individual assignment through Turnitin on blackboard in the relevant submission folder.

As the University will mark assessments anonymously where this is possible, please use your student roll number and not your name on your submission.

Assessment task details and instructions

You should…

Identify and select any one organisation that you would consider seeking employment in the future. Review the key aspects of the company in relation to business ethics, corporate social responsibility, values and sustainability, explaining why you have selected this organisation and if you believe they match your own values and beliefs.

Please ensure you include the following elements in your assignment:

1. Assess the overall Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability of the organisation, applying business ethics models and concepts to their practice. (30% - 700 words).
2. Evaluate the role of ethical leadership in the organisation (20% - 400 words).
3. What are the key aspects of their ethical programme (sustainability report/code of conduct etc) (20% - 400 words).
4. Why do you believe that this organisation is a potential match to your own values? (10% - 250 words)

Other marks will be awarded for

1. Introduction and Conclusion (10% - 250 words).
2. Overall presentation, referencing and citations in line with Harvard standards (10%).

Knowledge and Understanding

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the scope and interrelationships between Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability, demonstrating how Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability models and theories can be applied to modern national and international organisations.
2. Identify the way in which technology impacts on ethical organisational operations.
3. Recognise how organisations develop ethical programmes, strategy in order to become good corporate citizens whilst remaining profitable.
4. Critically evaluate how leadership, culture and society impact on innovative sustainable initiatives.
5. Explore the implications of management, marketing, codes of conduct and international relations together with how these formulate the ethical principles and values of sustainable organisations.

1. Critically assess and analyse sustainability issues that need to be addressed, including real-life examples, within the context of business and management studies.
2. Describe complex ethical and sustainability issues in clear terms and communicate about them effectively and succinctly, both orally and in writing.
3. Think systemically, in terms of recognising connections and interactions between factors, and understand that actions often have multiple consequences in business environment.
4. Effectively engage with real-life problems relevant to ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.
5. Develop an ability to apply a balanced view of various organisations and their ethical principles.
6. Identify the skills needed to match personal values and beliefs with those of organisations for future potential employability.
7. Communicate effectively knowledge of Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability.

Module Aims

To develop students’ knowledge with respect to the importance of the various stakeholders and the purpose and values of the organisation.

To explore the roles of social and technological innovation in national and international organisations in order to prepare students for future employability.

To identify various issues of social justice, ethics and wellbeing, and how these relate to eco- logical and economic factors

To recognise the consequences of actions of individuals, business and governmental and nongovernmental organisations, and how systems and societies can be adapted to ensure sustainable futures.

Develop an understanding of the scope and interrelationships between Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability, demonstrating how Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability models and theories can be applied to modern national and international organisations.

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

2000 words +/-10%

(No more than 2200 words – not including reference list)

Specific word counts have been provided above as a guide in line with the marks available for each element of the question.

Feedback arrangements

You can expect to receive feedback by 17^th of January at 4pm

You will receive feedback through Turnitin where you submitted your work. Formative feedback and support will be provided in seminar sessions.

Support arrangements

 You can obtain support for this assessment by contact the module leader (Chris Doran at [email protected])

All tutors have office hours to support your needs.

A questions site is also available on blackboard.

Seminar sessions have designated time provided for the assessments.  

askUS

Good Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct

The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS.

Students are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct (academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which students need https://www.salford.ac.uk/library/skills-for-learning. Assess the overall Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability of the organisation, applying business ethics models and concepts to their practice.

Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously.  You can find out how to avoid academic misconduct here.

Assessment Information

Personal Mitigating Circumstances

Personal Tutor/Student Progression Administrator

If you have any questions about assessment rules, you can find further information in Blackboard in the Assessment Support area. Develop an understanding of the scope and interrelationships between Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability, demonstrating how Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability models and theories can be applied to modern national and international organisations.

If personal mitigating circumstances may have affected your ability to complete this assessment, you can find more information about personal mitigating circumstances procedure here.

If you have any concerns about your studies, contact your Personal Tutor or your Student Progression Administrator.

Assessment Criteria

You should look at the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during the assessment. This is provided on the blackboard site.

In Year Retrieval Scheme

Your assessment is not eligible for in year retrieval.

Reassessment

If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will need to resubmit in the summer reassessment period. For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances for absence/non submission, this will be your replacement assessment attempt. 

Please note the reassessment will be the same as this assignment, as outlined above. Assess the overall Business Ethics, CSR and Sustainability of the organisation, applying business ethics models and concepts to their practice.