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 innovation. A major focus is on gaining a critical appreciation of stakeholder theory, and understanding how this theory frames integrative thinking, across disciplines. It will also cover two important areas that stakeholder theory has helped to shape and define: business ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of important issues and trends throughout the business-society interface
  • Explore the nature of business and economic processes using social analysis and considering various stakeholder perspectives and priorities
  • Work individually and collaboratively to produce well-reasoned and evidenced arguments that address major societal issues from the perspective of diverse stakeholder interests
  • Explore and critique contemporary, cross-cultural and cross-functional initiatives such as collaborative alliances
  • Communicate using a variety of digital technologies

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online Contact (Phasing out)
Online Learning Activities		12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online TestsIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2 
PresentationIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,4,5 
ReportGroup 30 - 50% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • The business-society interface
  • Theory differentiating between philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenry
  • Building sustainable value through Social Enterprise, Microfinance, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
  • Stakeholder theory
  • Emerging issues in social development
  • Sustainability and corporate social responsibility
  • Impact of climate change on global economic, political and social agendas impacting business and society

Study resources

Reading materials

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