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Module Catalogue

IB249-15 Global Environment of Business

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Fred Dahlmann
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

Student should develop a critical understanding of the major global trends and issues facing business in the 21st century; be able to respond to a challenge-led competition to win the “WBS – For the Future Prize” by working on a group-based assignment; develop a variety of transferable CORE and module specific skills.

Module web page

Module aims

Increase their understanding of the global business environment including key issues and factors such as global megatrends, grand challenges and the wicked problems of the Anthropocene.
Examine the importance and interconnections between the different UN Sustainable Development Goals as an international framework for action
Develop a variety of transferable CORE and module-specific skills. Specifically, students will acquire and develop the following skills:

WBS CORE skills:

Work effectively in teams and build interpersonal relations
Demonstrate skills of creativity and curiosity
Manage time and prioritise work
Demonstrate argumentation skills
Practice critical thinking and informed judgement
Module specific skills:
Carry out desk research and analyse information
Combine and compare interdisciplinary knowledge
Demonstrate project management, teamwork and leadership skills
Demonstrate written and oral skills for business presentation and communication
Be aware of and accept responsibility for the importance and impact of global ecological and social factors shaping the business environment of the 21st century

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

An indicative syllabus is based on the following lecture titles:

Welcome to Global Environment of Business
Wicked problems and global mega-challenges
Team formation and ideation (taught in collaboration with xyz)
Design for impact
Research and analysis (taught in collaboration with Library Academic Services)
Effectuation and stakeholder engagement
Project implementation planning - Circular economy
Individual assignment details
Strategic implementation of the UN SDGs
Embedding sustainability in strategy

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Appreciate the importance and impact of socio-economic and ecological factors on the global business environment of the 21st century.
  • Understand the nature and significance of global megatrends, wicked problems, grand challenges and the “Anthropocene” for business.
  • Practical engagement with the Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals as an international framework for action.
  • Application of strategic tools and frameworks to analyse and implement sustainability challenges in business.

Indicative reading list

As this is a fast-evolving subject there is no core text. A Talis Reading List has been created which includes a wide range of reports, datasets, books and articles on the key themes and issues of relevance to this module. The following texts are indicative recommendations only and may be subject to change:

Business & Sustainable Development Commission (2017). Better Business - Better World. The report of the Business & Sustainable Development Commission. January 2017. http://report.businesscommission.org/
Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2019: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sustainabledevelopment.report/2019/2019_sustainable_development_report.pdf
UN Global Compact & Accenture, 2019: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/news/4481-09-24-2019
Macondo Foundation 2019: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62803620/aliging-profit-with-purpose-global-goals-yearbook-2019-
Lecture slides also include a variety of references and links for further reading. Readings include a wide range of reports and assessments provided by consultancies, government agencies, think tanks, and other sources. These are further complemented by topical news articles and other media reports posted live on the module forum page.

Subject specific skills

Carry out desk research, analyse and integrate information.
Combine and compare interdisciplinary knowledge.
Be aware of and accept responsibility for the importance and impact of global ecological and social factors shaping the business environment of the 21st century.

Transferable skills

Work effectively in teams and build interpersonal relations.
Demonstrate project management, teamwork and leadership skills.
Demonstrate written and oral skills for business presentation and communication.
Demonstrate skills of creativity and curiosity.
Practice entrepreneurial thinking skills.
Manage time and prioritise work.
Demonstrate argumentation skills.
Practice critical thinking and informed judgement.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 2 hours (26%)
Project supervision 10 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Private study 47 hours (61%)
Total 77 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Individual Assignment 70% 51 hours Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Group Project 30% 22 hours No
Reassessment component
Individual Assignment Yes (extension)
Feedback on assessment

Feedback via My.WBS

Courses

Course availability information is based on the current academic year, so it may change.

This module is Core for:

  • UIBA-N20B BSc in Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N23K Management with Accounting
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N235 Management with Entrepreneurship
    • Year 2 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 2 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 2 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
  • Year 2 of UIBA-N400 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance
  • UIBA-N404 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 3 of N4N7 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and Intercalated)
    • Year 3 of N404 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 3 of N405 Accounting and Finance (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 3 of N403 Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • Year 3 of UIBA-N403 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N401 Undergraduate Accounting and Finance (with Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 2 of N401 Accounting and Finance (Placement)
    • Year 2 of N402 Accounting and Finance (Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
  • UIBA-N20F Undergraduate International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20S International Management (with Accounting)
    • Year 2 of N20T International Management (with Chinese)
    • Year 2 of N20P International Management (with Entrepreneurship)
    • Year 2 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 2 of N20U International Management (with French)
    • Year 2 of N20L International Management (with Marketing)
    • Year 2 of N20V International Management (with Spanish)
    • Year 2 of N20W International Management (with Strategy and Organisation)
    • Year 2 of N20N International Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
  • UIBA-N220 Undergraduate International Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N220 International Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N221 International Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N226 International Management with Chinese (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N223 International Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N224 International Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N222 International Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N227 International Management with French (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N225 International Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N228 International Management with Spanish (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N229 International Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N20J Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year and Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 3 of N20J Management (Foundation Year and Placement)
    • Year 3 of N20K Management (Foundation Year and UPP)
    • Year 3 of N23H Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23J Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23G Management with Finance (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N255 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
  • UIBA-N20E Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23N Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23M Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23E Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23F Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23D Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 3 of N254 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23P Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)
  • UIBA-N20C Undergraduate Management (with Placement Year/Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 2 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N20D Management (Undergraduate Partnership Programme)
    • Year 2 of N20C Management (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N20Q Management with Accounting (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N236 Management with Digital Business (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N237 Management with Entrepreneurship (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 2 of N233 Management with Finance (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N253 Management with Marketing (with Placement Year)
    • Year 2 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
    • Year 2 of N20R Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Placement Year)