Assignment Details and Instructions.
1 Introduction & background (10%)
Write a maximum of three sentences that outline the purpose & structure of the essay. Then identify ONE of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing on the “3 pillars of sustainable development (social, economic & environmental) set out the challenges that underlie this goal.
Relevant lectures: Introduction to Sustainable development Definitions, Goals and Frameworks.
2. Discuss the impact of business in society, with regard to your chosen goal (20%)
Using appropriate theory &/or expert sources, consider the sustainability spectrum and the role and ethics of a multi-national traditional for-profit business and at least one of the following a socially responsible businesses, social enterprise &/or non-profit organisation.
Relevant lectures: Introduction to the spectrum of responsible enterprise, moral positions and ethical capital.
3. Define responsible enterprise and discuss how responsible organisations respond to the sustainable development goals? (30%)
There are diverse interpretations of what “responsible enterprise” means. Using appropriate academic theory, compare & contrast TWO of the following concepts; corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate citizenship (CC), shared value, circular economy (CE) in theory and practice.
Relevant lectures: A critical view on CSR, CC, CE, and Shared Value.
4. Compare and contrast the role of, Government, NG0’s and/or Consumers in society. (20%)
Using appropriate theory &/or expert sources, explain how government, NGO’s and/or consumers can facilitate (or inhibit) responsible enterprise.
In your discussion, you should draw on examples relating to your chosen challenge. You need to consider the role/purpose of two of the following actors: the role of government, NGO’s and consumers, as well as the tools they have at their disposal. You might find it easier to focus on ONE level of activity (i.e. global, regional, national or local).
Relevant lectures: The role of NGO’s, the role government, the role of consumers.
5. Conclusion (10%)
Synthesise findings & evaluations in order to conclude on what responsible enterprise is.
6. Appendix (5%)
Include a one-page appendix at the end of the essay, which sets out their engagement with the unit (see below). A template will be provided on Moodle & time will be given over in tutorials to help you complete this. Please bear in mind that we can check your appendix against attendance records so don’t be tempted to claim you have attended if you haven’t – to do so would of course run counter to the focus of the unit! Further guidance on the appendix (& the assignment as a whole) will be provided in tutorials.
Style (5%).
Overall presentation of essay including structure, language, grammar, spelling. Systematic use of Harvard-style referencing.
Relevant lecture: Introduction to the Unit/Assignment 1 guidance
Submission information: Submit one essay with a wordcount of 3000 words. Specify the wordcount at the end of the essay. Reference list & diagrams do not add to the wordcount & should be included within the body of the essay rather than in an appendix. You are required to submit your essay electronically via the Turnitin Assignments link on the unit Moodle page. Do not submit a hard copy.
Formatting & style: Use 12-point, single-spaced font. Be analytical not descriptive in your approach. The essay should be well-structured & use appropriate academic language. It should contain a balance of theory & concepts, factual evidence & reasoned argument. Harvard referencing style must be adopted i.e. all references must be cited appropriately within the text, with a full alphabetical list of sources included at the end of your assignment.
