Course Title: Sustainable Business Models
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Sustainable Business Models
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
BUSM2688 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
660H Graduate School of Business and Law |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 1 2024 |
Flexible Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
BUSM2689 |
RMIT Online |
Postgraduate |
660H Graduate School of Business and Law |
Internet |
JanJun2024 (KP2) |
Course Coordinator: Ninh Nguyen
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 (3) 99251784
Course Coordinator Email: ninh.nguyen@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Melbourne City Campus
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
This course introduces the concept of sustainable business models (SBM) and emphasises changes to business models as a key approach for creating innovations that promote social and environmental sustainability while creating economic value for organisations.
You will enhance your skills and knowledge in sustainability, business strategy, and innovation. You will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, enabling you to tackle sustainability challenges in organisational contexts. This course will prepare you for success in a business environment increasingly focused on social, environmental, and economic sustainability and ethical governance.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
CLO1: Evaluate contemporary theory and practices of sustainability and sustainable business models, and their implications for the local and global environment, society and the economy.
CLO2: Assess the challenges and opportunities facing businesses when adopting sustainable business models, and critically analyse potential strategies and practices.
CLO3: Apply relevant tools and frameworks to design a sustainable business model that integrates advanced sustainable practices.
CLO4: Demonstrate effective communication skills to engage stakeholders, while seeking support for sustainable business models and strategies.
CLO5: Critically evaluate the role of innovation on advancing sustainable business practices, and identify potential enablers and barriers in their adoption, considering relevant legal, compliance and ethical considerations.
Overview of Learning Activities
This course provides an overview of the concept of sustainable business model (SBM) and explores changes to business models as a fundamental approach to realise innovations for sustainability.
In this course you will study a range of topics, including the importance of sustainable business models, the role of business in sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chain, circular economy, sustainable innovation and design thinking, green marketing, public policy and regulation in sustainability, local perspectives on sustainable business and the key drivers of sustainable business innovation. Students will also explore the tools and techniques used to measure and evaluate the sustainability of business models, including life cycle assessment, environmental accounting, sustainability reporting, carbon foot printing, social impact assessment, materiality assessment, eco-labelling, and sustainable procurement.
The course also examines the challenges and opportunities that arise from adopting sustainable business models, including the integration of sustainability into business strategy, the development of sustainable supply chains, and the promotion of stakeholder engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities. Students will also explore the role of government policy and regulation in promoting sustainable business practices. Throughout the course, we will use sustainable business models (SBM) and sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) as a foundation to investigate how companies can implement more sustainable business practices.
Throughout the course you will receive feedback in the form of guidance and constructive academic critique of the artifacts you will develop. This feedback will be provided in assessment tasks to ensure that you are on the right track and that any issues are addressed promptly. Overall, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a business environment that is increasingly focused on sustainability and social responsibility.
Overview of Learning Resources
Various learning resources are available online through myRMIT/Canvas. Resources are also available online through RMIT Library databases and other facilities. If students need assistance with Library databases and services they will need to use the Ask the Library services.
RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study spaces. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.
Computers and printers are available at every Library. You can access the Internet and Library e-resources. You can also access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library.
Contact: Ask the Library for assistance and information on Library resources and services: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library. Study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, information literacy, referencing, maths and study skills. Additional resources and/or sources to assist your learning will be identified by your course coordinator and will be made available to you as required during the teaching period.
Overview of Assessment
The assessment tasks, their weighting and the course learning outcomes to which they are aligned are as follows:
Assessment Task 1: 30%
Linked CLOs: 1, 2
Assessment Task 2: 30%
Linked CLOs: 4, 5
Assessment Task 3: 40%
Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5