Course Outline

MGT703 Strategy, Governance and Ethics

Course Coordinator:Deanna Grant-Smith (dgrantsmith@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2025Session 7

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Managers must understand how to identify and respond to trends in an organisation's external and internal environment. This requires managers at all levels to be able to think critically and act ethically so that organisational strategies effectively address stakeholder priorities. As managers are ultimately responsible for the governance of their organisation they should understand the legal and ethical obligations of directors and stakeholder expectations for sustainable and socially responsible conduct. This course analyses stakeholder participation in decision-making and the influence of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on strategic decision-making and governance. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 3hrs Week 1 6 times
Information session – Online assessment information sessions (recorded) 1hr Week 2 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 3hrs Week 1 6 times
Information session – Online assessment information sessions (recorded) 1hr Week 2 2 times

Course Topics

  • Strategic leadership
  • Internal and external analysis
  • Levels of strategy
  • Implementing strategy
  • Ethics in a business context
  • Corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and strategic stakeholder management
  • Equity and inclusion
  • Corporate governance
  • Risk, issues and crisis management
  • Strategic business influence on government and regulation

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
1 Ability to problem-solve and apply critical thinking and analytical processes in a business context. Creative and critical thinker
PC3, PC3.1
2 Apply appropriate discipline knowledge and theory to identify relevant CSR/sustainability(SDGs)/risk issues. Knowledgeable
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
PC5, PC5.1
3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the need to embrace and respect cultural and other forms of diversity and foster inclusivity in a business context Knowledgeable
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
PC5, PC5.1
4 Identify and explain corporate governance issues, functions and structures. Engaged
PC1, PC6, PC6.2
5 Demonstrate effective communication skills in a business context Empowered
Engaged
PC2.1, PC4, PC6, PC6.1, PC6.2

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
PC1 Communication
PC2.1 Leadership and Teamwork
PC3 Creative and Critical Thinking
PC3.1 Problem Solving
PC4 Community Consciousness
PC5 Cultural Awareness
PC5.1 Diversity
PC6 Career-adaptive
PC6.1 Adaptability
PC6.2 Discipline Knowledge

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in any PGRD Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

MBA712 or EMB762

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback will be provided during each week of semester by participation in review questions relating to the weekly topics

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual 50%
15 minutes
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Report Individual 50%
2,000 words
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Business Strategy Presentation
Goal:
Demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to practice through interpretation of company strategy.
Product: Oral
Format:
In this recorded oral presentation you will analyse a chosen firm's business strategy following the guidelines provided on Canvas at the start of the session.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of sustainability frameworks, theories and concepts and responsibilities in a business context
1 2
2
Knowledge of relevant legislation and principles associated with social responsibility, ethical conduct and sustainable practice in the context of corporate governance in Australia
4
3
Application of ethical frameworks, theories and concepts and responsibilities in a business context.
2
4
Recognition of diverse stakeholder interests in a business decision-making context
1 2 4
5
Oral communication
5
Generic Skills:
Communication
All - Assessment Task 2:Corporate Governance and Ethics Case Study
Goal:
Demonstrate ability to critically appraise ethical corporate conduct and to report findings to
improve practice in corporate social responsibility and sustainability by aligning with SDGs.
Product: Report
Format:
In this written report you will identify and analyse the key stakeholders of a chosen firm and discuss applying two of the UN Sustainability Goals to meet their expectations.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge and application of appropriate frameworks.
1 2 4
2
Appreciation and respect for cultural and other forms of diversity in a business context
3
3
Valuing of the need for inclusion in a business context
3
4
Interaction and negotiation with stakeholders in business contexts
2 3
5
Understands appropriate human and Indigenous rights* and how they relate to and can improve contemporary Indigenous Australian circumstances
2 3
6
Organisation and structure of written content
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Charles W. L. Hill,Melissa A. Schilling,Gareth R. Jones 2016 Strategic Management: Theory: An Integrated Approach 12th Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au