AT7053 - Business and Sustainability Analytics

What will I learn on this module?

Throughout this module, you will critically exam and interpret the metrics driving the sustainability debate among various actors ranging from

nations to individual businesses. This module will enable you to understand the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs)

through a variety of lenses at global, regional, country and enterprise level. You will develop both analytical and solution modelling skills to

support businesses in assessing and quantifying the cost, impact, and performance of their past and present sustainability initiatives - and

anticipate future conditions and requirements - driving them to unlock hidden value and build a more resilient enterprise and sustainable future

for all of us.


As such, the need for professionals capable of being able to structure, analyse and visualise data from myriad sources across a wide

spectrum of sustainability-related factors is increasingly important. The demand for these skills is growing as companies seek to generate the

deep insights needed to guide their sustainability-related initiatives and improve their overall SDG alignment.

How will I learn on this module?

This module will use various research rich and technology enabled learning strategies to develop your understanding of the metrics and

issues underpinning the sustainability debate. You will be introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework

for analysing the sustainability agenda, augmented by research, cases, and contributions from industry through practitioner-delivered guest

lectures.


Directed learning encompasses a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive, group-based activities in seminars

(including a component of summative assessment) and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform.


A teaching and learning plan underpins the module, outlining the formal lecture sessions, alongside tutor-directed study and independent

reading. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience with sourcing and visualising sustainability metrics using data visualisation software.

Lectures are interactive and seek to draw upon the directed learning undertaken in combination with your own experiences. Throughout, high

levels of participation are expected both individually and within small groups. You will embed the reflective-practitioner approach to learning in

your seminar sessions through undertaking activities that facilitate your application of theory to 'real-life' situations, critically analysing and

making recommendations to organisations with regard to the measurement and progress tracking of their sustainability agendas.


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 including extended reading, reflection

and research. Critical reflection on your knowledge, experience and practice of business and sustainability metrics drives the learning and

teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module is also supported by the e-learning portal housing lecture and seminar materials and the module tutor will be one of the small

teaching team of subject experts delivering the module. Access will be provided to data visualisation software and students will be guided in

how to import, manipulate and visualise sustainability metrics.


You will be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various academic journal papers, conference papers,

textbooks, and video/audio material covering the themes in this module.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

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)

What will I be expected to achieve?

N/A

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment
Formative assessment will take place through weekly seminar activities where individual contribution, group discussion and presentations will be accompanied by relevant tutor feedback. Additional further tutor-supported individual and group discussion will be supported via the module’s electronic learning platform. Summative Assessment The module has two summative assessments: Assignment A (40%) – Group assignment: Individual grades for this assignment are determined by the quality of the group assignment combined with a peer assessment conducted by fellow team members. · Working as a small group of students, you will choose one of the three main business sectors: - Primary: Business category examples include fishing, farming, mining. - Secondary/manufacturing: Business category examples include car production, brewing, flour milling. - Service/tertiary: Business category examples include banking, retail, restaurants. · Select a business category within your chosen sector and create an Infographic highlighting: - The SDGs that this business category is impacts, both positively and negatively citing the relevant metrics and changes over time; - SDG related initiatives, cooperation, and/or partnerships describing the stakeholders involved and the SDGs that they impact; - Ten-year outlook, expressed in metrics, based on relevant research. - The developed Infographic which will be displayed in class and supported by a group presentation. This will contribute to the assessment of MLO1 and MLO2. - Peer assessment will determine your individual score in combination with the grade for the group submission. Assignment B (60%) – Individual assignment: · You will select a specific named business (module coordinator approval required). For that business you will: - Research their sustainability credentials and overall engagement with the SDG agenda. - Write an academic report of 2000 words detailing the SDGs relevant to that business and critically discuss which SDGs that business can realistically impact and how that impact should be measured and monitored. - Create a visual dashboard that reflects your recommendations, and which can serve as a monitoring tool over time. · This will assess MLO2 and MLO3.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

N/A

Course info

Credits 10

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 18 months Full-Time

Department Newcastle Business School

Location Netherlands

City Amsterdam

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints