Sustainability and Business

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ELECTRONIC ASSIGNMENT COVERSHEET

Course/Unit Information
Course	*Extended Diploma in International Business and Strategy*
Course Code	*GP39 04*
Unit Name	*Sustainability and Business*
Unit Code	*HX3Y 04*

Instructor Information
Name

Assignment Information
Schedule Code
Full/ Part Assignment	Full Assignment
Date Assignment Issued
Date Assignment Due

Student Information *(To be filled by the student prior submitting the assignment)*
Name
Student ID
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Your assignment should meet the following requirements. Please confirm this by ticking the boxes before submitting your assignment

	The first page is completely labeled with my name, instructor name and assignment information.
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STUDENT DECLARATION

I hereby confirm that this assignment is my own work and not copied or plagiarized. It has not previously been submitted as part of any assessment for this qualification. All the sources, from which information has been obtained for this assignment, have been referenced as per Harvard Referencing format. I further confirm that I have read and understood the Westford rules and regulations about plagiarism and copying and agree to be bound by them.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK

Name of the Assessor

Module Code & Title	HX3Y 04	*Sustainability and Business*
	Module Learning Outcomes
LO1	Appraise the multiple dimensions of sustainability for businesses in the context of global challenges.
LO2	Critically review, evaluate, and develop sustainability strategies of organisations.
LO3	Critically analyse the strategic alignment of the business functions to sustainability.
LO4	Critically analyse an organisation’s global sustainability and your contribution to the impact on global sustainability.
Assessment Types	Marks	Marks Achieved
Organizational Study (Project Format)
Task 1: Essay	55
Task 2: Report	40
Presentation	5
Overall Score	100
Overall Grade		Click or tap to enter a date.

Summative Feedback:

Overall Feedback on current work with emphasis on how the student can further improve in future.

The following grading criteria will be applicable for the course, Executive Diploma in International Business and Strategy:

Marks	Grade
70 to 100	A - Distinction
60 to 69	B - Merit
50 to 59	Pass
40 to 49	Fail with Resubmit
0 to 39	Fail with Retake

GENERAL GUIDELINES

(Please read the instructions carefully)

1. Complete the title page with all necessary student details and ensure that the signature of the student is marked in the declaration form.

1. All assignments must be submitted as an electronic document in MS Word to the LMS (Use 12 Times New Roman script).

1. All assignments must be submitted with an accompanying Turnitin report.

1. Assignment that is not submitted to the LMS by the prescribed deadline will be accepted ONLY under the REDO and RESIT submission policy of Westford.

1. The results are declared only if the student has met the mandatory attendance requirement of 75% and/or a minimum of 50% under extenuating circumstances approved and ratified by the Academic Director. The student has to repeat the module (with additional fees applicable) if the attendance is below 50%.

1. The assignment should not contain any contents including references cited from websites like www.ukessays.com, www.studymode.com, www.slideshare.net, www.scribd.com.

1. Students can refer Wikipedia as a source of information, but the references cited in Wikipedia must be mentioned.

1. Submit the assignment in a MS Word document with the file name being:

First Name Last Name_ abbreviation of the subject.

Example: John Smith_SB

Quick reference Checklist for the Faculty/Instructor to accept/reject the assignment before evaluation:

	Adherence to the deadline of submission date.
	Original file, cover sheet and format retained.
	Student information and signature intact.
	Font style and size used as instructed.
	Harvard Referencing Style is strictly followed.

Assignment

Sustainability and Business

Learning Outcome 1: Appraise the multiple dimensions of sustainability for businesses in the context of global challenges.

1. PC 1.1: Demonstrate a critical awareness of global current issues and sustainability challenges of a specific industry.

1. PC 1.2: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of business (strategy & operations) in achieving the UN sustainable development goals.

1. PC 1.3: Discuss the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on a specific business or industry.

Learning Outcome 2: Critically review, evaluate, and develop sustainability strategies of organisations.

1. PC 2.1: Critically review the existing business strategies of an organisation in relation to sustainability.

1. PC 2.2: Discuss how implementation of innovative business strategies have addressed the sustainability challenges.

1. PC 2.3: Formulate a sustainable strategy for an organization.

1. PC 2.4: Critically evaluate the role of leadership in achieving sustainability objectives.

Learning Outcome 3: Critically analyse the strategic alignment of the business functions to its sustainability.

1. PC 3.1: Critically analyse the role of HR in driving sustainability in organisations.

1. PC 3.2: Discuss the importance of sustainability reporting and the sustainability report of an organization.

1. PC 3.3: Discuss financing challenges and solutions for sustainable.

1. PC 3.4: Discuss sustainability and its influence on production & design

Learning Outcome 4: Critically analyse an organisation’s global sustainability and your contribution to the impact on global sustainability.

1. PC 4.1: Critically review the effects of sustainability on supply chains.

1. PC 4.2: Evaluate global best practices in ethical sourcing.

1. PC 4.3: Critically review the impact of regulations & international codes on sustainability.

1. PC 4.4: Discuss your leadership role in making an identifiable contribution to global sustainability in your organisation.

Assignment Task 1

Essay [55 Marks] [3000 words]

Please submit a compelling essay with citations from academic and non-academic sources to address the following sections. Ideally, you should choose an industry that you have experience in or have deep insight into for addressing this section. You must provide a short introduction to the chosen industry.

The essay should follow the structure of introduction, addressing questions as subheadings and conclusion.

1. Discuss the key sustainability issues prevalent in the chosen industry. [5 Marks]

2. Demonstrate a general understanding of the UN Sustainable development goals and the challenges faced in implementation of sustainable initiatives in the chosen industry. [8 Marks]

3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the effects of sustainability on supply chains in the chosen industry by evaluating some of the global best practices in ethical sourcing implemented by organisations in that industry. [14 Marks]

4. Choose one company from the chosen industry and critically review some of the strategies it has implemented to manage sustainability in its business functions. You can pick any three key functions eg. HR, Marketing, Operations etc. [8 Marks]

5. Critically evaluate the role of industry/company leaders in dealing with sustainability challenges and crisis situations (cite examples) and provide suitable recommendations [6 Marks]

6. Formulate sustainable strategies to enhance employee wellbeing and satisfaction in the chosen industry. Critically analyse the role of HR in driving sustainability in such organisations. [14 Marks]

Assignment Task 2

Report [40 Marks] [2500 words]

Submit a report with the aim to discuss the linkages between business operations and the environmental and societal challenges with regards to sustainability.

For this task, you can choose an industry you currently work in, or an industry you are familiar with as a frame of reference, to answer all questions given below.

1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on your chosen industry. [10 marks]

2. Identify financing challenges for sustainable development and provide suitable recommendations based on independent research and discussions with peers and specialist practitioners from your industry. [6 marks]

3. Critically review the influence of sustainability on production & design in the chosen industry. Identify and discuss innovative business strategies that will help in addressing the sustainability challenges in your chosen organisation. [10 marks]

4. Critically review the impact of regulations & international codes on sustainability in the chosen industry. How can you influence the management to adopt the regulations and codes in your organisation? [7 marks]

5. Demonstrate a general understanding of the importance of sustainability reporting by critically discussing the sustainability report ( last financial year) of your chosen organisation or any other organisation in your industry, clearly interpreting and evaluating the data within the report. [7 marks]

Presentation:

Presentation of the essay and report. This includes aspects such as spellings, grammar, references, structure, and logical flow of arguments. [5 marks]

Notes: You can access Euromonitor passport for industry – specific data and insights. https://www.euromonitor.com/our-expertise/passport

Performance Descriptors

Performance descriptors indicate how marks will be arrived at against each of the above criteria. The descriptors indicate the likely characteristics of work that is marked within the percentage bands indicated.

Performance Criteria

(70-100%)

Work of an outstanding, excellent & v. good standard (*)

(60-69%)

Work of a good standard.

(50-59%)

Work of a pass standard.

D (40-49%)

Fail

E (0-39%)

Fail

Task 1

Essay

55 Marks

Learners need to demonstrate a critical awareness of the current sustainability challenges prevalent in the chosen industry The Learners need to provide an excellent overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a specific and comprehensive address to the three goals mentioned in the task. The three goals need to be critically reviewed in relation to the chosen industry.

The learners should present facts-based judgements and estimates as a testimony to independent research.

The learners need to demonstrate critical understanding of the effect of sustainable practices in the chosen industry on the overall supply chain should be discussed in-depth, using contemporary examples from the industry.

Current and key debates on the topic should be included.

It is essential to identify the industry leaders in ethical sourcing and critically evaluate the global best practices employed by them. It is important to critically discuss the benefits of implementation and the challenges in implementing them.

The role of HR managers in embedding and operationalizing a sustainability strategy into their organizational culture should be critically and appropriately analysed. Excellent examples of HR champions in driving sustainable initiatives should be identified and discussed.

Learners need to critically evaluate the role of the industry leaders by discussing the key steps/initiatives taken by him/her to address the sustainability challenges faced by the organisation. It is also important to review whether the steps taken by the CEO were able to achieve the desired outcome and present suitable recommendations supported by research.

Learners need to demonstrate an accurate understanding and reasonable awareness of the current sustainability challenges prevalent in the chosen industry. The Learners need to demonstrate sound understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The goals need to be discussed in relation to the chosen industry.

The learners should present some facts and arguments based on research..

The learners need to demonstrate reasonable understanding of the effect of sustainable practices in the chosen industry on the overall supply chain using some examples from the industry.

Some relevant debates (supported by research) on the topic should be included.

It is essential to identify the industry leaders in ethical sourcing and discuss the global best practices employed by them. Some benefits and challenges should be included.

The role of HR managers in embedding and operationalizing a sustainability strategy into their organizational culture accurately reviewed. Some examples of HR champions in driving sustainable initiatives should be identified.

Learners need to empirically evaluate the role of the industry leaders by discussing some of the steps/initiatives taken by him/her to address the sustainability challenges faced by the organisation. It is also important to review whether the steps taken by the CEO were able to achieve the desired outcome and present suitable recommendations.

Learners need to demonstrate a fair awareness of the current sustainability challenges prevalent in the chosen industry. The learners need to provide a generic overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The arguments presented are supported by limited research.

The effect of sustainable practices in the chosen industry on the overall supply chain have been discussed but has not been supported by any examples.

Some relevant debates on the topic could have been included.

Average understanding of ethical sourcing and global best practices witnessed. Limited discussions pertaining to benefits and challenges are placed. The role of HR managers in embedding and operationalizing a sustainability strategy into their organizational culture has been reasonably reviewed. Very few champions in driving sustainable initiatives have been identified.

Limited discussion and review of the role of the industry leaders in addressing the sustainability challenges faced by the organisation. Weak and inadequate discussion reviewing the impact of the steps taken by the CEO in achieving the desired outcome. Recommendations provided are inadequate.

Limited awareness of the current sustainability challenges prevalent in the chosen industry. Weak and limited overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The three specific goals have been poorly addressed.

The arguments presented have not been supported by research.

The effect of sustainable practices in the garment industry on the overall supply chain has not been discussed accurately. No examples have been provided.

Relevant debates on the topic have been excluded.

Poor understanding of ethical sourcing and global best practices. Inadequate discussions pertaining to benefits and challenges.

The role of HR managers in embedding and operationalizing a sustainability strategy into their organizational culture has not addressed explicitly. Champions in driving sustainable initiatives have not been identified.

Inconclusive and poorly articulated discussion reviewing the impact of the steps taken by the leaders in addressing sustainability challenges. No recommendations have been provided.

The student has failed to address the required understanding of current sustainability challenges prevalent in the chosen industry. Overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals has not been included.

The arguments presented are faulty and inconsistent & have not been supported by any research.

The effect of sustainable practices in the chosen industry on the overall supply chain has not been discussed at all. No examples have been provided.

Relevant debates on the topic have been excluded.

The learner has demonstrated dissatisfactory understanding of ethical sourcing and global best practices. Inaccurate discussions pertaining to benefits and challenges, or these aspects have been ignored.

The role of HR managers in embedding and operationalizing a sustainability strategy into their organizational culture has not been addressed at all. Champions in driving sustainable initiatives have not been identified. Overall, the student demonstrated poor understanding of the task.

No discussions reviewing the impact of the steps taken by the leaders in achieving the desired outcome have been included. No recommendations have been provided.

Task 2

Project Report

40 Marks

The learners need to demonstrate the ability to critically discuss the key points illustrating the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on the chosen organisation and its triple bottom line. Further, the effects on the industry in general, should also be comprehensively reviewed using relevant examples wherever necessary. Contemporary journal articles, case studies, industry reports published by reputed websites (E &Y, PWC, McKinsey), media reports and books on the topic should be critically reviewed and included in the discussion.

Learners should identify the main challenges in financing sustainability initiatives and suggest plausible solutions and recommendations based on independent research and discussions with peers and special practitioners from the industry.

Excellent presentation of current issues and trends in sustainability and its influence on production and design in the chosen industry should be critically discussed using suitable examples.

Learners need to critically review the role of regulations & international codes on driving sustainability. Some of the prominent codes pertaining to the chosen industry should be identified, and comprehensive discussion of their role in driving sustainability should be included. Learners should comprehensively discuss their role as change initiators and agents in adoption of these regulations and codes in their respective organisations

Learners need to provide an exhaustive overview of the sustainability reporting standards and demonstrate sound understanding of the importance of sustainability reporting by interpreting and evaluating a wide range of numerical and graphical data. The advantages for business in general should be highlighted citing relevant examples to validate the arguments presented.

The learners need to demonstrate the ability to discuss the key points illustrating the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on the chosen organisation and its triple bottom line. Further, the effects on the industry in general, should also be reasonably reviewed using relevant examples wherever necessary. Relevant journal articles, case studies, industry reports published by reputed websites, media reports and books on the topic should be included in the discussion.

Learners should identify the some of the challenges in financing sustainability initiatives and suggest plausible solutions and recommendations based on relevant research, and discussions with peers and special practitioners.

Evidence based presentation of current issues and trends in sustainability and its influence on production and design in the chosen industry. Some examples have been included.

Learners need to review the role of regulations & international codes on driving sustainability. Some of the codes pertaining to the chosen industry should be identified and briefly discussed. Learners should briefly discuss their role as change initiators and agents in adoption of these regulations and codes in their respective organisations.

Learners need to provide a general overview of the sustainability reporting standards and demonstrate understanding of the importance of sustainability reporting by interpreting and evaluating some numerical and graphical data. Some examples should be cited to highlight advantages of these codes for business in general.

The learners have demonstrated satisfactory understanding of the key effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on the chosen organisation. Further, the effects on the industry in general, has been reviewed, but not supported by examples. The discussions include an average mix of credible academic and non-academic sources.

Learners have identified very few challenges in financing sustainability initiatives and the suggestions and recommendations are weak and not duly supported by research and findings.

Limited discussion on the current issues and trends in sustainability and its influence on production and design in the chosen industry. No examples have been included.

Evidence of some discussion pertaining to the role of regulations & international codes on driving sustainability in general. A limited overview of the sustainability reporting standards has been included. Limited or no evaluation and interpretation of numeric and graphical data. Very few examples have been cited to highlight the advantages of these codes for business in general.

The learners have demonstrated extremely weak and unsatisfactory understanding of the key effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on the chosen organisation. Further, the effects on the industry in general, has not been reviewed adequately. The discussions are weak and do not include an adequate mix of sources.

Learners have failed to identify accurately the challenges in financing sustainability initiatives. No suggestions or recommendations have been provided.

Discussions on the current issues and trends in sustainability and its influence on production and design are weak and inaccurate. The discussions pertaining to the role of regulations & international codes on driving sustainability in general has not been addressed. Limited and flawed overview of the sustainability reporting standards. No examples have been cited to highlight the advantages of these codes for business in general.

The learners have failed to demonstrate understanding of the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth and loss of biodiversity on the chosen organisation. Further, the effects on the industry in general, has not been reviewed at all. The discussions are weak and lack cohesion.

Learners have failed to identify the challenges in financing sustainability initiatives. No suggestions or recommendations have been provided.

Discussions on the current issues and trends in sustainability and its influence on production and design have not been included. The role of regulations & international codes on driving sustainability in general have been ignored. The overview of the sustainability reporting standards is inaccurate and poorly presented. No examples have been cited to highlight the advantages of these codes for business in general. Overall, the assignment is evident of poor understanding of the requirements of the task and understanding of the topics.

Presentation

5 Marks

Fully documented and styled according to the brief; written in attractive, engaging, and compelling language; text free from spelling and grammatical errors; vocabulary appropriate; specialist terms defined; tables and illustrations beautifully prepared. The assignment follows an excellent structure and logical sequence of thoughts and arguments. prescribed. Fully conforms to Harvard Referencing style. Wordage, binding, and related appearance meets requirements.

Well documented and styled according to the brief; written in attractive, engaging, and compelling language; apart from a few instances, text free from spelling and grammatical errors; vocabulary appropriate; specialist terms defined; tables and illustrations well prepared; very good allocation of material to main body of text, and appendices. Fully conforms to Harvard Referencing style. Wordage, binding, and related appearance meets requirements

Reasonably well documented and styled according to the brief; written in engaging language; text not wholly free from spelling and grammatical errors; vocabulary appropriate; specialist terms defined; tables and illustrations well prepared; good allocation of material to main body of text, and appendices. Mostly conforms to Harvard Referencing style. Wordage, binding, and related appearance meets requirements

Some incompleteness of documentation and styled according to the brief; written language fails to meet postgraduate standard; text not wholly free from spelling and grammatical errors; vocabulary appropriate; specialist terms defined; tables and illustrations reasonably prepared; good allocation of material to main body of text, and appendices. Mostly conforms to Harvard Referencing style. Wordage, binding, and related appearance meets requirements

Documentation seriously at fault: missing, misplaced, difficult to find one’s way around; persistent errors in spelling and grammar, occasional failure in conveying meaning; typescript messy with uncorrected errors and missing or incomplete illustrations or tables. Referencing and formatting errors widespread. Grammar not congruent and lacked fluency. Paraphrased contents made the assignment suffer beyond its material significance

Sustainability and Business

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