SM9743 - Sustainable Strategy and Transition

Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy of this module along with the explicit development of strategic thinking competence. To put this in place, the module comprises of lectures, seminars and strategy workshops covering responsible business models inspired by the SDGs and how these drive organisational change and strategic shift.


During the teaching sessions we will aim to evaluate how strategies can be developed that are both environmental and socially responsible and how they can lead to the development competitive advantage in an increasingly turbulent and dynamic business environment. The module will discuss some of the key tensions which manifest as barriers to a sustainable transition. We will explore the impact of sustainability reporting practices on corporate strategy across a range of organisational forms [including social enterprises]. We will engage with the relevant theory on strategic management, reflect on business practice and decision making aiming to transition organisations towards responsible actors.



A teaching and learning plan supports the module, outlining the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to lecture sessions will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and your own experiences. Throughout, the emphasis will be on high levels of your participation, both individually and within small groups or teams. You can therefore expect embedding of reflective-practitioner approach to learning in all workshop/seminar sessions through undertaking activities that facilitate you to apply theory to 'real-life' situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organisation/individual.



Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform. Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to the subject area or by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that might include extended reading, reflection, research etc.

A member of academic staff leading the module and a set of subject experts leading the lecture inputs on the five streams of the module provide significant module support. The electronic Learning Portal (eLp) will house lecture and seminar materials relating to the module supported. You will be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various journal papers, conference papers and textbooks that cover sustainable strategies and business models for organisations.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

Identify and critically evaluate sources of sustainable competitive advantage within a global business context [MLO1]



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Critically evaluate the wider impact of strategic business decisions and change on organisational stakeholders [MLO2]



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Working within a team be able to make ethically informed arguments about the nature of organisational activities [MLO3]

The assessment strategy of the modules aims to capture the strategic thinking, theoretical knowledge and critical thinking of the students.



Students in this module are assessed formatively and summatively. Formative assessment takes place in-class while students work individually or in learning sets on tutor-led tasks. Students will receive feedback by their tutor in class.



The module is summatively assessed aiming to evaluate students against the module learning outcomes.



Individual assignment, 3500 words (100% of the total module mark). Students will create a written strategic analysis explaining how the chosen company can create (or retain) sustained competitive. [MLO1, MLO2, ML03]

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In this module you will learn about responsible business and how change and transition towards sustainable orientation of organisations can be managed at corporate and business unit levels. You will gain an understanding of the overarching principles in setting and executing a sustainable organisational strategy. Within the construct of these strategic objectives, you will critically evaluate how associated responsible decisions impact on both internal and external stakeholders, and by doing so, will gain an understanding of the concept of responsible decision making and governance. The module will explore the methods of assessing risk and present possible alternative measures of organisational “performance”.