Course coordinator
Professor Daniel Nyberg
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
Achieving corporate sustainability is a challenge that increasingly occupies the attention of senior executives and key stakeholders of twenty-first century organisations. The path forward is protracted, noisy and tough, but provides opportunities for those corporations that see value inherent in the emerging ethos of sustainability. This ethos is already apparent in increasing pressures on corporations from governments, shareholders and political interest groups to change wasteful and destructive practices. This course focuses on how organisations can develop effective value-creating strategies in relation to sustainability. Topics include an introduction to the science behind sustainability, a closer examination of the moral, legal and business case behind action on sustainability, as well as the development, assessment and implementation of strategies to create sustainable value. The course discusses different change strategies - incremental and transformational - required to shift organisations towards sustainability, as well as the role played by senior executives, managers and other stakeholders as change agents for sustainability.
This course is an introductory course for the Master of Business, Social Impact and Sustainability Field of Study. Students from other programs taking this course as an elective are welcome to attend. The course examines the role of business in society. Over the course of our industrial development, business activities have increasingly impacted the environment, driving adverse global and local environmental changes. While leading to wasteful and destructive practices, the impacts from environmental changes on businesses are now also becoming visible. Achieving corporate sustainability has therefore become a key challenge but also an opportunity for corporations. Beyond financial value, business can create social and environmental value. For example, business can create positive environmental impacts while also remaining financially sustainable.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students should have a keen interest in the interface between sustainability and business.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7709
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Daniel Nyberg
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you emailﾠbusiness.mytimetable@uq.edu.auﾠfrom your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are to provide students with insights into:
- The emergence of sustainability as a major issues confronting business and industrial organisations.
- How organisations driveﾠglobal and local environmental change, andﾠthe impacts thatﾠthe environmentﾠhas on corporate activity and behaviour.
- The role of strategy andﾠtechnology in creating sustainable value, and in finding innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainability.
- How executives and managers can developing a convincing business case for corporate sustainability.
- The implementation issues in creating sustainable corporations
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify the need for corporate involvement in sustainability. Analyse a companies current sustainability status before developing plans to improve sustainability.
LO2.
Explain the drivers for organisational sustainability, focusing on the link between corporate activity as well as global and local environmental change.
LO3.
Consider regulatory and valuation frameworks to make the moral, legal and business case for action on sustainability.
LO4.
Create change strategies required to shift organisations towards sustainability articulating sustainable value delivered through these strategies.
LO5.
Work within a diverse group integrating different views and experiences into a cohesive outcome promoting sustainability goals.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project, Reflection | Reflection - Creating Change for Sustainability | 25% |
4/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Role play/ Simulation |
Team Sustainability Role Play and Report
|
35% |
12/05/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination | Exam | 40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Reflection - Creating Change for Sustainability
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project, Reflection
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
4/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
You will need to actively manage an area of your own sustainability. Over a ten (10) day period you will need to record your experience (photos/notes). A short reflective essay will be submitted addressing key questions (provided below) including applying academic literature including the article provided in Blackboard to evaluate your experience.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- This project is to be completed INDIVIDUALLY.
- Word length: 1500 words maximum, excluding references and appendices.
- This assignment needs to be academically referenced with a minimum of 3 academic references.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Please submit through Turnitin link in the Blackboard Assessment folder.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Team Sustainability Role Play and Report
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
12/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L05
Task description
In this assignment, students will embark on a meaningful journey to design and execute a sustainability project associated with a chosen company within its local community. Building upon the foundational knowledge acquired in Assignment 1, this project requires collaborative efforts to identify and address key challenges within the company's surrounding community. Further information, requirements and marking rubrics are available on Blackboard.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Exam
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
In person exam that will cover all course material.
AI Statement
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 35 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Introduction to Corporate Sustainability An overview of the course, its content and assessments. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
The Drivers for Sustainability The seminar focuses on the drivers of organisational change for sustainability. Includes globalisation, regulation, SDGs, new business models and others. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
The Phases of Sustainability Understand the phases of organisational sustainability. Identify key aspects used to evaluate companies and their position on the path to sustainability. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Change Approaches to Sustainability This seminar considers change with a focus on both incremental and transformational change. We consider the appropriate types of change for a given circumstance, steps of implementation and considerations. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
The Value of Sustainability Understanding the value of sustainability projects to an organisation. Consideration of how to calculate value consistent with a focus on environmental, social and financial outcomes? Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
The Ethical and Legal Case For Action This seminar covers the ethical and legal case for action consistent with the growing trend towards a corporate focus on ESG. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Leadership in Sustainability This seminar will cover the topics of leadership and culture. When sustainability is a focus of the company who can demonstrate leadership? What are the characteristics of leaders? Should culture be considered the fourth pillar of sustainability? Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Trade offs and Tensions in Sustainability Trade-offs and tensions in sustainability will be reviewed at multiple levels, individual, organisational, societal. Trade-offs in SDGs considered. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
IN-SEMESTER BREAK No class this week. |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Social Enterprise and the Circular Economy What are social enterprises and how are they run? We'll also look at what is meant by circular economy. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Corporate legitimacy and social movements In this class we are going to discuss the legitimacy of corporate sustainability initiatives in society and social movements protesting against corporations. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Team presentations - Group A This week we will watch our team presentations. |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Team presentations - Group B This week we will watch our team presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course Review and exam preparation Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout course design, learning activities and / or assessment.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Goal 5: Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Goal 9: Industries, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.