Business Environment and Sustainability

This module will introduce students to the changing business and economic environment, with particular emphasis on the drive for sustainability and its impact on organizations. Students will be introduced to orthodox economic theory as well as alternative approaches to economics in the context of sustainability.

1. Describe the changing business environment and identify its impact on organizations.

2. Explain the drive for sustainability as a force in the business environment.

3. Articulate the need for an organizational response to the drive for sustainability, evoking the principles that should underpin that response.

4. Explain the scope and purpose of economics and the main economic systems, including the importance of the free market system as a resource allocator.

5. Describe the standard measures of economic activity and economic growth and have an appreciation of their limitations, including in the context of sustainability.

6. Demonstrate an awareness of alternative approaches to orthodox economics in the context of sustainability, including ‘doughnut economics’.