You are required to complete a research report that demonstrates your understanding of the following:
- The integration of the SDGs as responsible, ethical and sustainable business practices
- The integration of the SDGs as a social choice
- The implications of the role of business in creating social transformative change
The results of your research will be discussed in Week 12 during scheduled tutorials.
Guidelines for the Research Report
The Research Report will address the following question:
“How should [specific entity] enact business practices that demonstrate sustainable and responsible business ethics in [specific issue]?”
Key Aspects to Address:
- Examine both positive and negative aspects of applied strategies
- Your analysis should be based on the evidence gathered and the application of relevant frameworks covered in the course
- Explain the gaps between policies and practices, and suggest recommendations to address these gaps
The response must focus on a specific entity and a specific issue of significance to the entity.
- The specific entity may be a particular industry (e.g., mining or banking), type of organization (e.g., NGO, family-run business, small business), or a particular organization (e.g., ANZ Bank, Westpac) that is confined to a specific country, geographical region, or type of country.
- The specific issue may relate to a particular situation (e.g., environmental disaster, faulty products), a decision (e.g., closing down a sub-branch, adopting certain technology, or a procurement policy), a management function, or a management practice (e.g., Equal Employment Opportunity policy or human resource management practices).
Research Sources:
To undertake this research, you should use non-primary sources of data such as government documents, industry reports, media reports, company reports/websites, anti-corporate/social activist reports, reports from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the UN Global Compact. These sources should be used in addition to scholarly literature. Please note that the collection of primary data (e.g., interviews) is not allowed unless specific permission is obtained from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC).
Format for the Research Report
- Abstract (100 words): Briefly describe the purpose of the research and the key focus.
- Table of Contents
A. Introduction (300 words)
- Introduce the researched issue and the purpose/objective of the study
- Provide the research context and scope
- Present your research questions
- Discuss any limitations of the report and assumptions made
B. Literature Review and Key Challenges (700 words)
- Discuss relevant literature related to your topic
- Analyze your selected industrial context and its implications
- Highlight what your research will contribute or address
C. Research Methodology (250 words)
- Identify the relevant frameworks you will use to examine the issue
- Describe how you will investigate the existing situation, norms, and approaches in the selected organization
- Outline the method of data collection (e.g., organizational documents, newspaper clips, blogs, and relevant resources)
- Mention your approach to data analysis
- Provide an interpretation based on your theoretical framework
D. Findings (800 words)
E. Discussion & Conclusion (250 words)
- Discuss the implications of your findings
- Provide policy recommendations (200 words): Suggest policy recommendations for sustainable business development appropriate for the organization
Word Limit:
The report should be 2,500 words, excluding the references list and appendices.
Estimated Return Date: Not applicable.
Hurdle Requirements: Not applicable to this assessment.
Criteria for Marking:
A specific marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
Learning Objectives Assessed:
This assessment task is designed to test your achievement of objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.