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Unit outline_

BUSS5220: Responsible Business Mindset

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The grand challenges of sustainability, climate change, social inequality, health and wellbeing, and corporate misconduct have revealed a critical need to transform business beyond the singular mindset of shareholder primacy. Coupled with this, a business must be proactive in establishing and maintaining its social license to operate as increasing risk and uncertainty has exposed a loss of trust in business. In response, this unit centres on co-creating a responsible business mindset with students based on an understanding that a business is deeply connected with the society and environment in which it operates. It is oriented towards examining the practices of business where organisational and personal considerations for ethical, sustainable, environmental and community objectives are embedded within, and not in conflict with, the desire to be profitable. An understanding of how a responsible business mindset can be shaped by the Sustainable Development Goals, ethical, Indigenous and other relevant frameworks is interwoven with consideration of the evolving legal and institutional structures for corporate governance and the role of business culture in the context of a broader set of stakeholders. Multi-disciplinary insights from the legal, workplace, marketing, accounting and finance perspectives provide context and texture, as students orient themselves with developing responses to practical market realities, drawing on theoretical understandings of a responsible business mindset. This unit integrates a responsible business mindset in all aspects of organisational planning, processes, reporting and decision-making, with the aim to develop future leaders who are not only mindful of the outcomes of responsible business actions, but can also bring critical reflection to such theories and practices.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business School
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anthony Krivokapic, anthony.krivokapic@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Reflective ePortfolio
Video log (vlog)
30% Multiple weeks 6 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Presentation group assignment Workshop Presentation Debate
Workshop presentation debate
30% Ongoing 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Case Study Presentation
Submitted presentation
20% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 16:00
6-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Case Study Report
Written assignment
20% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 16:00
10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The assessments in this unit are weighted 50% for an individual component and 50% for a group component as follows:

  • Reflective ePortfolio is worth 30 marks which includes 20 marks for a group component and 10 marks for an individual component.
  • Workshop Presentation Debate is worth 30 marks which includes 10 marks for a group component and 20 marks for an individual component.
  • Case Study Report is a group task worth 20 marks which includes 20 marks for a group component.
  • Case Study Presentation is a group task worth 20 marks which includes 20 marks for an individual component.

Please note that the unit's Equal Contribution Policy applies to all group assessments and a Peer Evaluation Form must be submitted for each assessment item. Late submission penalties apply.

Detailed requirement and instructions for each assessment is available on BUSS5220 Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction - Topic 1: What is a Responsible Business Mindset? Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Perspective 1: The Regulation - Topic 2: Corporate Governance and Responsible AI Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Perspective 1: The Regulation - Topic 3: Responsible Marketing Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Perspective 1: The Regulation - Topic 4: Climate Regulation and Anti-Slavery Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Perspective 2: The Workplace - Topic 5: Macro level: Responsible Business and its Context Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Perspective 2: The Workplace - Topic 6: Mezzo level: Responsible Business and Decent Work Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Perspective 2: The Workplace - Topic 7: Micro level: Wellbeing and the Individual at Work Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Perspective 3: The Numbers - Topic 8: Refocusing Financial Reporting Information Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Perspective 3: The Numbers - Topic 9: Rethinking Auditing in Responsible Business Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Perspective 3: The Numbers - Topic 10: Reframing the Management Accounting Approach Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Perspective 4: The Impact - Topic 11: Organisational Sustainability, Reporting and Stewardship Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Perspective 4: The Impact - Topic 12: Climate Risk and Business Opportunity Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Perspective 4: The Impact - Topic 13: Reimagining Business, Reimagining Capitalism Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Please note it is a formal requirement to attend all lectures and workshops in this unit. A formal record of workshop attendance is taken each week, and any student attending less than 80% of the workshops will struggle to perform at an average level due to the missed content.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings and resources for this unit can be accessed through the Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply conceptual, theoretical and multidisciplinary understanding to approaches to responsible business practice.
  • LO2. Analyse and critically reflect upon business dilemmas through a responsible business mindset.
  • LO3. Critically evaluate innovative solutions to business dilemmas that are both profitable and sustainable.
  • LO4. Work collaboratively and effectively as a team and as an individual examining and developing solutions through a responsible business mindset.
  • LO5. Integrate relevant frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and targets, and appreciate Indigenous stewardship, as part of advancing a responsible business mindset.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on student feedback we will be offering additional support around assessments and skills development, and continue updating class content to foster student engagement and feature more industry speakers and insights,

PASS Program:  Peer Assisted Study Sessions

The Sydney University Business School funds an additional program for BUSS5220 students called PASS. PASS stands for Peer Assisted Study Sessions. Research from the UK, USA and Australia has consistently demonstrated that students who regularly attend PASS are likely to improve their academic performance and are less likely to fail or drop out.

What’s in it for you?

  • Weekly, hour-long sessions lead by senior, high achieving students.
  • A focus on mastery of course content through discussion and peer learning.
  • Extra learning opportunities, including problem solving practice where relevant, in areas directly related to understanding the concepts more thoroughly.
  • Great opportunities to meet other students and study effectively together in relaxed, interactive, small groups.
  • Registering for the PASS program

Attendance in PASS is voluntary but highly recommended. Registrations open the first week of semester. PASS starts in week 2 of semester. Spaces in the PASS program are limited. 

Students register through the PASS online page at: https://sydney.edu.au/students/pass/eligibility-registration.html

Email all enquiries about the PASS program to: business.pass@sydney.edu.au

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.