Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Sustainability implies a disruptive change to the assumption base of most organization's business-as-usual strategic agenda. Students seeking to apply sustainability will need to have an understanding of the linkages between sustainability and strategic management, together with an understanding of the challenges associated with introducing a non-incremental idea into an organization. Consequently, this unit has three components. First, an introduction to the strategic management approaches as taught in most business schools. Second, the emerging approaches used in the strategic assessment of sustainability issues. Third, exploring the challenges associated with implementing a new idea.

Objectives

This unit seeks to address one question: "How will you introduce sustainability into the strategic management process of your organization?"

To answer this question, students will need to demonstrate:

1. An understanding of what constitutes strategy together with the generic models of, and approaches to, the strategic management process of organizations
2. An understanding of how and where sustainability concepts may be integrated into an organization's strategic management process
3. An understanding of the issues and obstacles associated with the successful introduction of disruptive concepts such as sustainability into an organization's strategic agenda.

Assessment

Written assignments (4000 words) and individual essays: 60%
Assignment/essay/case study(1500 words): 30%
Class participation: 10%

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week