Accessibility statement

Introduction to Sustainable Business - ENV00099M

« Back to module search

  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Adrian Gonzalez
  • Credit value: 5 ECTS
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module familiarises students with foundational topics and concepts related to sustainable business research and practice, thereby providing the frame- and groundwork for subsequent modules and projects. On the one hand, students will study core sustainability and sustainable development concepts and engage critically with notions such as weak and strong sustainability, relative and absolute decoupling, efficiency and sufficiency. On the other hand, this module reviews primary functions of business, including R&D, production, operations, management and finance, in light of increasing sustainability challenges. This module will briefly highlight the types of sustainable innovations, at the technology, product, business model, value chain and systemic level (which the Sustainable Business Innovation module addresses in depth). It will touch upon sustainability indicators adopted by businesses like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recent sustainability developments like the rise of the Circular Economy. Furthermore, by engaging with the sustainable transitions literature, this module sensitises students to the wider context of business, thus creating awareness for the complexity of sustainability challenges, the need for triple-helix or multi-level and -actor approaches to change and the role of uncertainty and risk. The lecture-supported PBL pedagogy employed throughout the module invites critical engagement with course materials and appreciates students’ varied backgrounds and level of expertise and experience.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

The aims of this module are to:

  • Familiarise students with the Sustainable Development Goals and the wider context of business operations and resulting responses by business, including the rise of the Circular Economy.

  • Equip students with relevant knowledge of sustainability and sustainable development concepts, of research on and governance for transitions toward sustainability, and of associated (scholarly) debates around uncertainty and risk.

Skills:

  • Critically reflect on academic literature in the fields of sustainability science, sustainable business and business management

  • Effectively analyse and challenge the role of business in sustainability transitions

Module learning outcomes

Students who complete this module successfully will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant concepts related to (social, economic and environmental) sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable business. (Knowledgeable and aware)

  • Evaluate changes in functions of business en route to sustainability. (Analytical thinker)

  • Critically engage with the role of business in change towards sustainability in relation to other types of actors and organisations. (Independent Learner)

  • Actively participate in discussions of business functions for sustainability based on scholarly literature. (Effective Communicator)

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Examination - Introduction to Sustainable Business		 5 hours 80
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable
PBL Participation and contribution		 N/A 20

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Additional assessment information

Summative assessment consists of:

Examination (80%) and PBL Participation and Contribution (20%).

This is a module delivered by Maastricht University and will be subject to Maastricht Education and Examination Regulations.

The module will appear as Pass/Fail Module on your York transcript (and for award purposes), Maastricht will provide a transcript detailing your assessments for this module.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Examination - Introduction to Sustainable Business		 5 hours 80
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable
PBL Participation and contribution		 N/A 20

Module feedback

Feedback on participation and contribution will be provided in week 4 and may be requested by students at any time. Summative feedback will be provided based on participation in weekly PBL seminars and in form of an exam answer key and inspection.

Indicative reading

Adams, R., Jeanrenaud, S., Bessant, J., Denyer, D., & Overy, P. (2016). Sustainability-oriented innovation: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 18(2), 180-205.

Flor Avelino & Julia M. Wittmayer (2016) Shifting Power Relations in Sustainability Transitions: A Multi-actor Perspective, Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 18:5, 628-649, DOI: 10.1080/1523908X.2015.1112259

Newel, P. (2020) The business of rapid transition. WIREs Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.670

Scoones, I. (Ed.), Stirling, A. (Ed.). (2020). The Politics of Uncertainty. London: Routledge, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003023845

Wagner, S. M. (2020). Business and Environmental Sustainability: Foundations, Challenges and Corporate Functions. Routledge


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.