Course syllabus - Responsible Management for Sustainable Business Practices

Objectives

The course provides the student with opportunities to further develop knowledge and skills about how managers in companies can handle climate and sustainability challenges from a global responsible management perspective. The focus is to offer the student, based on scientifically based knowledge, means to explore, investigate, analyze how environmental, social and economic sustainability goals could (and should) be assessed and balanced, as well as how these can be handled both strategically and operatively in their daily work as managers.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

1) Demonstrate skills to apply a scrutinizing approach to theories, models, and concepts relating to ethical, sustainable and responsible management as well as its possible practical applications

2) Explain how relevant business concepts can be linked to various global sustainability goals from a management perspective

Skills and abilities:

3) Problematize and investigate how the balance between environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals affects the individual, group, organization and society

4) Show a good ability to apply scientific concepts as a basis for practical implementation

Evaluation ability and approach:

5) Carry out their studies independently and take an active role in the elements of the course and show skills to work in different group/team constellations

Course content

The course has an exploratory and problem-based approach where the students individually and in groups, faced with different scenarios and assignments, explore the connection between business theories and different environmental, social, and economic sustainability dimensions. This aims to develop the students' abilities to use a scientific approach to understand and deal with practical challenges. Through seminars and workshops, the students learn how theories, models, and concepts can form practically relevant tools in a company's daily operations regarding strategies and problem- solving. Examination takes place continuously during the course through a combination of written and oral presentations where written submissions are discussed during mandatory seminars.

Specific requirements

A completed bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to at least 180 credits and with a major in the field of Business Administration. A TOEFL test result, with a minimum score 575 with a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT), or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5, or equivalent is required.

Examination

Seminar (SEM1), 3 credits. Grades Fail (U) or Passed (G) (learning outcomes 1-5)

Project (PRO1), 4,5 credits. Grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F) (learnings outcomes 1-5)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient