Find us +44 (0)113 2837100
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Critically appraise and synthesise different theoretical approaches to ethics, ethical decision making, value-based leadership and corporate social responsibility.
Provide recommendations for ethical business strategies that could be implemented within the organisation that they work
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the ethical issues and arguments raised in the module and how they impact on practice.
Critically examine the internal and external business environment and critically assess business and management tools and techniques that can support ethical business conduct and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
Debate the importance of corporate social responsibility for organisations and
managers in the contemporary workplace
Summarise how the communications strategy links to their area of responsibility and justifies the approaches taken to shape and manage it, taking account of the external social and political environment and the diverse needs of internal and external stakeholders.
This module introduces the senior leader apprentices to strategic management and leadership. The aim of the module is to enable the apprentices to develop a critical understanding of strategy and policy making and provide them with the opportunity to critically explore and analyse different theories and approaches to strategy and value-based leadership. The module aims to develop the apprentices as ethical leaders within their workplace, providing them with an understanding of responsible value generation and sustainability. The modules have been developed in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In particular goal 4 (ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) and goal 9 (build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation)
Organisational values
Organisational values describes the core ethics or principles which a company will abide by. Apprentices will assess the organisational values of their employer in comparison to other organisations. Topics will include critical evaluation of their organisation's ethical character as expressed in its operations and culture.
Strategic Management
Apprentices will be introduced to theories, models and concepts used in strategic planning. They will critically examine strategic management tools such as PESTEL, SWOT, horizon scanning, business model canvas, Porter’s Five Forces and stakeholder analysis. They will assess factors which may affect strategy such as Government policy.
Ethics
Ethical issues will be explored in a business context in areas such as marketing, strategic human resource management, corporate social responsibility and global markets. Apprentices will assess culture within organisations and how they may impact on employees and stakeholders such as shareholders, customers and suppliers.
Value Based Leadership
Apprentices will critically evaluate value-based leadership theories and models. They will discuss how leaders can create value in and for contemporary organisations. This will involve a critical review of leadership theory: early trait theories; great man theory; behavioural style theories; situational leadership theories; transactional, transformational and charismatic leadership and value based leadership. Leadership issues, challenges and strategies in business, government and politics. Values-based leadership may create a working environment where employees feel secure. It may foster a sense of pride among colleagues – which boosts staff performance, retention and morale. Put simply, people who trust their leaders are happier, more productive and more successful.
Organisational culture
Organisational structures and design will be discussed along with conflict; power, politics and emotions in the workplace and communication.
Corporate Governance
Theories underlying the study of governance, recent governance failures and policy initiatives to improve governance quality and accountability will be discussed and whether governance characteristics influence corporate performance. The governance role of non-executive directors; ownership structure; executive remuneration and takeovers will be explored. The module also includes discussions of governance in an international context as well as governance in non-profit organisations. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be examined. The emergence of these concepts and the implementation of strategies to emphasise and improve the socially responsible practices of companies represents a significant development in the ongoing debates surrounding the role of business in modern society. It examines the pressures encouraging companies to adopt more ethical business strategies, the types of practices and strategies which different companies have sought to adopt.
Developing a communications strategy
Effective business communication principles (including ICT related communications);
Written business communication (business correspondence, report writing, editing, marketing, collecting and disseminating feedback and other forms of business communication);
Oral business communication (preparing and giving presentations, facilitating discussions, working in groups, using questioning techniques and giving feedback);
Strategies, skills and techniques for negotiating in international business settings.
The following knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) must be covered in this module:
K2 Organisation structures; business modelling; diversity; global and horizon scanning perspectives; governance and accountability; technological and policy implications.
K6 Ethics and values-based leadership theories and principles.
K13 The external social and political environment and use of diplomacy with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders
K19 Approaches to developing a Corporate Social Responsibility programme
K20: The organisation’s developing communications strategy and its link to their area of responsibility.
S1 Use horizon scanning and conceptualisation to deliver high performance strategies focusing on growth/sustainable outcomes.
S7 Challenge strategies and operations in terms of ethics, responsibility, sustainability, resource allocation and business continuity/risk management.
S8 Apply principles relating to Corporate Social Responsibility, Governance and Regulatory compliance.
S21 Shape and manage the communications strategy for their area of responsibility.
The sessions will be organised in 3 8-hour teaching blocks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by tutorials and personal exercises for reflection and development. Tutorials will be designed to support learners to be self-directed in additional research and with particular emphasis on research within their own employing organisation.
The module will make use of case studies and developing business trends and so the nature of the topics and exercises will vary. Learners will be provided with, and/or directed to, relevant reading and additional questions/ exercises to support their progress through the module material.
This module will make use of a range of teaching and learning strategies assisting learners with developing their skills as reflective and critical learners. Learners will engage in their learning at both the university and within their workplace which will create an opportunity for them to focus on positive actions and behaviours and develop skills of self-awareness. Debates and critical reflection will be employed to stimulate student interest. Students will work in groups to develop their understanding of trends and academic theories. Students will undertake problem-solving learning and be involved in formative peer assessment of each other work. Students will also be encouraged to take part in on-line discussion groups. On-line quizzes and resources will be drawn upon to support students’ learning. All learning will be supportive to foster increased self-confidence.
Lectures
Hours: 24
Intended Group Size: Cohort
Workshops and seminars
Hours: 16
Intended Group Size: 30
Guided independent study
Hours: 160
Further details relating to assessment
Students will be offered formative feedback throughout the module in order to help them to achieve successful coverage of the apprenticeship standard’s KSBs in conjunction with the modules aims and outcomes. This will be done via formal sessions and also via online interactions on the Moodle platform and the use of tools such as email and Microsoft Teams.
Module Coordinator - Carl Hartford
Level - 7
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7APS7AP7AP7AP