Governance sustainability and ethics

Governance sustainability and ethics

Assessment 2: article on a special topic (25%)

General Instructions

• Assessment 2 is to be done as an individual assignment
• Due for electronic submission as a PDF file into the Assessment 2 Dropbox in Collaborate at the date specified in the teaching schedule
• Do NOT include an assignment cover sheet – by submitting to collaborate you are attesting that the article is your original work

Objective

To compile an article on a special topic that reports on, and critically analyses, the objectives, operations and performance outcomes of either:

1. a social enterprise in the country in which your course is conducted; or
2. a sustainable tourism/hospitality business in the country in which your course is conducted; or
3. a B-Corporation in the country in which your course is conducted; or
4. a topic – as advanced or approved by your local lecturer – that has relevance to matters of ethics or sustainability and can inform your lived life – things like Palm oil; ‘clean coal energy’, application of the ‘circular economy’, we technologies or practices that promote sustainability etc.

Scenario

Governance sustainability and ethics

A major international business magazine – HBR (Herbert Management Review) – has contracted you to write a ‘profile’ article on either a social enterprise OR a sustainable tourism business OR a special topic. They believe there are some really interesting organisations or topics that would be of interest to local and overseas readers.

Alternative 1 – note on social enterprises (for further details see Topic 9): Social enterprises are businesses established by entrepreneurs with an emphasis on human values rather than just profit. They are not charities or welfare agencies, but seek to achieve social change by having an economically viable business model that services societal needs while drawing support from the community. Some Australian examples (there are many also in Malaysia and other countries): the MADCAP Café that employees young people with mental health issues to make the coffee in stands at Masters Hardware stores; Fifty-six threads café run by AMES – which trains young refugees and migrants in hospitality skills; Streateats – trains & employs homeless youth; Who gives a crap – recycled toilet paper; Dress for success – clothes for women in need of support in getting a job; Scarf hospitality that trains refugees; and Goodcycles – trains and employs disengaged youth in bicycle repairs

Alternative 2 – note on sustainable tourism/hospitality businesses (for further details see Topic 8): Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing and balancing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. Things like eco-hotels, nature tours, or hotels/hotel chains that have strong sustainability credentials, restaurants that have sustainable sourcing or waste minimisation practices, etc.

Alternative 3 – note on B-Corporations (for further details see Topic 8): B-Corporations are a relatively new form of business that require certification and have objectives centred around balancing the triple bottom line – economic, social & environmental responsibility.

Alternative 4 – note on special topics: in some locations in various semesters your local lecturer may provide you with, or approve ,an alternative area of study to social enterprises or sustainable tourism (you can find some ideas at corporateknights.com or checking out the unit resources).

 Required

Prepare an article for the business magazine that reports on, and critically analyses,the objectives, operations and outcomes of a social enterprise or sustainable tourism business or special topic – and include performance data and photos where possible. The magazine (it could be a fashion mag; a travel mag; a hospitality mag; a sustainability mag; a professional mag {like HBR, Fortune, Forbes etc.}; or some other mag)  is expecting: great content in a feature which is engaging, and exhibits a clear and crisp writing style. Article quality not quantity is the key.

Word limit:1,500 words plus illustrations.

 Notes

1. You report should provide the reader with a brief background of social enterprises or sustainable tourism businesses or special topic: what are they; what they do; how recent a phenomena are they; who are the stakeholders; and how they fit with a modern capitalist economy.
2. Your report is expected to contain pertinent primary dataand secondary data. Your primary data can come from: your past observations of the social enterprise or sustainable tourism businessin action (e.g. what you experience visiting say a café, bar or wherever the public interface of the organisation is); and/or discussions (and quotes) that you get directly from the operators or clients that you can gather by phone or by electronic means. As this is a magazine article, no formal Harvard referencing at the end (‘out of text’) is required – but sources would usually be given ‘in-text’ e.g.: “ … the website notes that 300 people were assisted …”; “ … staff said that business is increasing rapidly …”

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1. It is recommended that you try to reach out to social enterprise etc through phone or email to obtain primary data. You can gather data via email by getting the organisation to respond back to a few questions that will assist you to prepare the article or organise a short phone interview to gather data. Include a ‘Research Appendix’ of one or 2 paragraphs that describes the nature and sources of  your research, particularly primary researchand notes the name(s) and contact detail(s) – phone number or email or some other appropriate evidence – of interviewee(s).
2. This is not a ‘cut and paste from the internet’ exercise – articles need to provide a critical analysis of data gathered.
3. It is useful to evidence and illustrate your research to include a contextual photograph/image of the article author(s) – where practicable
4. Submit the final copy into the dropbox – student declaration not required.