Module manager: Diane Holt
Email: D.Holt@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore the intersection between business and social and environmental issues. It explores different types of for-purpose organisations that entrepreneurs may which to set up, or may work for in the future. It considers how these organisations use their business activity to address specific non-financial value creation whilst remaining financially viable and competitive. It considers the nuances of some of the missions/issues as framed by the sustainable development goals, the potential trade-offs and unintended consequences and how impact might be measured. It draws on real-life case examples to illustrate various aspects of these topics.
Upon completion of this module students will be able to critically evaluate:
- different types of for-purpose enterprises and how context impacts them
- the missions shaping for-purpose businesses;
- the potential of business activities to deliver both positive and negative social and environmental impacts; and
- mechanisms for measuring impact
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- exhibit awareness of sustainability issues;
- apply project management and problem solving skills in the execution of individual and group tasks;
- develop professional relationships with potential collaborators, employers and/or clients; and
- creatively formulate, evaluate and communicate ideas in writing to a variety of audiences
Subject specific
- apply and evaluate theory and practice in their own research, advanced scholarship or area of specific interest within the broader discipline
The indicative outline of the syllabus is included below. These topics are delivered through lectures and guest talks, followed by interactive workshops. The learning activities are explored and illustrated using a broad range of for-purpose social/hybrid enterprise examples in both developed and developing countries.
- The for-purpose business landscape (social enterprises, B Corps, Fairtrade, hybrids)
- The history of environmental/social issues and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Being a social / for-purpose entrepreneur- some examples
- Measuring value creation
- Supporting entrepreneurs for purpose – incubators and start-ups
- Addressing mission drift
- Being socially innovative and case examples
- Trade-offs and unintended consequences
- Sector issues (e.g. fashion/clothing, banking for the poor)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Lecture | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 120 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
The module has a recommended reading list. Preparation for workshops 8 x 4 hours reading/other activities (32), post-lecture study such as watching recorded clips, reading etc (28) . Preparation for group assessment (20 hours) and individual assessments (40 hours).
Progress issues will be addressed informally during the interactive workshop sessions. In addition, students will provide peer feedback during the poster session.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group Project | A poster presented for peer feedback | 20 |
| Project | Individual project, 2,500 words | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit for the module is 100% by 3,000 word assignment.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 8/16/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team