Outline

Overview

Managing organisational sustainability is critical for effective, contemporary managers. This unit focuses on how to conceptualise and to practice sustainability in its broadest sense. Topics covered include the ethical aspects of management and organisational practice, corporate social responsibility, governance models in organisations and managing in diverse environments. Students are encouraged to enhance their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of management and the impact of organisations on stakeholders including staff, government and community.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	WORK2219
Assumed knowledge ?	WORK1004 or WORK2201
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christopher Wright, christopher.wright@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release)	Final exam Written exam with MCQ	35%	Formal exam period	48 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial attendance and participation Attendance and participation	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Sustainability poster presentation Poster presentation	15%	Week 13	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Sustainability poster essay Written essay	25%	Week 13	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Individual sustainability reflection Written task	15%	Weekly	800 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

Individual sustainability reflection: In the first tutorial class (week 1), students will be allocated to present a short (5 minute) summary of one of the tutorial discussion questions for a future tutorial (weeks 2-12). The aim is for students to discuss their reactions to the discussion question and the relevant readings and other material they have consulted. After presenting their tutorial discussion question, each student will write and submit a short reflection due one week after their presentation. This short essay should include an argued response to the question and include relevant references.
Tutorial attendance and participation: Each student will be assessed on their tutorial attendance and participation. The tutorials and learning sessions will involve group work, activities, debates and discussion. Preparation will involve completing the required readings and preparing for the work for that week.
Sustainability poster presentation: Students will work in groups (max 4 members) over the semester and develop a poster analysing a sustainability dispute challenging an organisation or industry through the theoretical lens of critique and justification (Boltanski and Thevenot, 2006). This theoretical framework will be explained and developed in class through various exercises. By week 4 (Wednesday 18th March) each group MUST submit a one page written proposal for their poster presentation outlining the topic and indicative links to the theoretical framework (critique and justification). In the final class groups will present their posters to the rest of the class in a 'round-robin' style. All students in the group will take turns presenting aspects of their poster presentation.
Sustainability poster essay: All groups will submit a formal written essay outlining their poster presentation. The essay will detail the sustainability dispute you investigated, the findings and central argument. It should include an introduction, main body (including sub-sections) and a conclusion. Harvard referencing is required. The essay should not exceed 2000 words excluding references.
Final exam: The exam is designed to test both your content knowledge of core sustainability issues as well as your ability to analyse and evaluate information, identify a problem and analyse it using theories and concepts. The exam will include multiple choice and short answers, longer essay questions and/or a case study of an organisational scenario that integrates material covered in the unit of study. You will be asked to support your answers with examples.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction - What is sustainability?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	The business case for sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Climate change: The sustainability challenge of our time	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Corporate environmentalism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Corporate political activity and sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Social sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Social movements for sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Organisational culture and sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Managing sustainability and organisational change	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Sustainable solutions? Climate reality	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	The Great Barrier Reef: Case study of a sustainability crisis	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Critically evaluating sustainability: alternative paths in the Anthropocene	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Poster presentations	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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

Wright, C. and Nyberg, D. (2015) Climate Change, Capitalism and Corporations: Processes of Creative Self-Destruction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. recommend and justify integrated organisational and industry strategies, policies and implementation approaches that are appropriate to support organisational sustainability objectives in particular contexts
LO2. use suitable research methods and information technologies to acquire, analyse and interpret data, concepts and theories salient to addressing particular organisation related sustainability issues and challenges and formulate appropriate findings, recommendations and remedies
LO3. question, assess and respond creatively to assumptions, propositions and debates within organisational sustainability
LO4. prepare and present professional reports that address sustainability related problems, propositions and debates within sustainability related organisational theory and practice
LO5. influence others to work collaboratively to recommend and report on policies and strategies to address complex organisational problems related to sustainability.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The content of this Unit of Study has been revised and adapted since it was last offered to better capture recent sustainability challenges that organisations are facing.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Business School Policies

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

WORK3204: Managing Organisational Sustainability

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect