Overview

The unit examines the broad spectrum of organisational responses to complex societal challenges, including: how business is creating new products and services that deliver positive social, environmental and economic impact; how social enterprises and social entrepreneurs are using social innovation to create better social outcomes; how design is used for social impact; and how organisations measure and communicate these social impacts to stakeholders. Using real-world cases and examples students will gain insight into how positive social change can be created in different contexts.

Requisites

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 awareness and understanding of current social challenges and business, public policy and organisational responses to generating positive social impact
  • Analyse and evaluate organisational and institutional responses to social issues and challenges
  • Collaboratively design and communicate services, products or business models that present innovative solutions to complex social problems
  • Understand future trends and responses to social and economic challenges

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		4.00 6 weeks 24
Online
Lecture		2.00 6 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 55 - 65% 1,4 
Report and PresentationGroup 35 - 45% 2,3 

Content

Part 1 -  Problem exploration and mapping

  • Social change and impact - the social economy

  • Key contexts and concepts - social impact across sectors

  • Addressing wicked problems

Part 2 - Designing Solutions

  • Drivers of social change and impact 

  • Leadership for Social change and impact 

  • Evaluating social change and impact

Part 3 - Implementing Solutions

  • Local community and social change 

  • Sustainability, ethics and social impact

  • Business model canvas for social enterprise as a basis for social change and impact

Study resources

Reading materials

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