MGMT3006: Evaluating an Organization’s Performance Against Sustainable Development Goals and Ethical Issues in Business – Report Writing
Assignment Task
Assessment 3 is a written report, based on the questions below.
Your report should be 2,500 words (+/- 10%) and start with a one page Executive Summary of your report. The Executive Summary, Reference list, cover sheet, and any appendices are not included in the word count.
The choice of issues to cover is up to you but you should show an in depth understanding of the theories, issues, and readings covered in this unit. This includes awareness of the issues and considerations discussed in the readings and in the tutorial classes.
Your report should be a fully referenced report and make extensive use of the assigned weekly readings for this unit (those in the Program Calendar in the unit outline and listed as ‘Essential Reading’ in the Reading List).
Background to Report Questions:
In this unit we introduced and considered the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2022, the Faculty of Business and Law’s committee on Responsible Management adopted the below 5 SDGs as particular areas of focus.
Report Questions:
First, imagine yourself as you plan a future career that fits with your own values and ethics – that is, what you think is most important to you ethically. Picture yourself imagining what kind of organisation you might most like to work for (or perhaps even found).
Next, think about the 5 SDGs listed on the previous page. Choose:
ONE of these 5 goals that is most relevant to your future career
TWO ethical issues covered in weeks 5-11 this unit that are most relevant to your chosen SDG and that you are the most likely to encounter in this career
ONE of the three normative theories that best fits with your own ethical beliefs and intuitions
Imagine that you wanted to evaluate the performance of an organisation (real or imagined) against these issues and this SDG.
Now answer the questions below based on these selections:
Of the five SDGs list above, which ONE SDG is the one you have chosen as the most relevant to your future career and why it the most relevant? (Suggested word count: 200 words)
Consider the topics considered in the Business Ethics unit. Of the issues covered Modules 5-11 of this unit what are the TWO issues that are most relevant to your chosen career and how might they relate to evaluating an organisation’s performance in the area of the SDG you have identified in Question 1? (Suggested word count: 1,000 words)
Now consider the ONE normative theory that you most agree with and describe what it would say about both of the issues raised in Question 2. How would it evaluate these issues and what would it identify as most relevant and why is that? Note, you don’t have to argue for WHY you most agree with the normative theory you have chosen, only to describe what this one theory have to say about these two issues (Suggested word count: 1,300 words)
Note: For Question 2 and Question 3 your answer should demonstrate an understanding of the topics and issues from two separate modules from weeks 5-11. In other words, the two issues you choose must be issued covered in modules 5-11 and can’t be from the same module.
For Question 3, do not cover all three normative theories covered in class. This question is instead asking you to offer a more in depth application of one of these three normative theories.
This MGMT3006-Management
and Sustainability report focuses on evaluating an organization’s performance against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ethical issues in business. The report is structured to answer three questions that require analysis and application of concepts covered in this unit.
Executive Summary
This report evaluates an organization’s performance against SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Two ethical issues – energy transition and climate change – are identified as relevant to this career and SDG. The normative theory of deontology is chosen as the most appropriate framework for evaluating these issues. Deontology emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions rather than their consequences. It suggests that organizations have a moral obligation to minimize harm to stakeholders, act in accordance with principles of justice and fairness, and respect human rights.
The Most Relevant SDG to My Future Career
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy is the most relevant SDG to my future career. I am passionate about promoting sustainable and clean energy practices that ensure energy access for all, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate climate change. SDG 7 aligns with my ethical values of environmental responsibility and social justice. It recognizes the importance of sustainable energy as a driver of economic growth, social development, and environmental protection.
Two Ethical Issues Relevant to My Career and SDG 7
Two ethical issues that are most relevant to my career and SDG 7 are energy transition and climate change. Energy transition refers to the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate caused by human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.
Energy transition is an ethical issue because it involves trade-offs between economic, social, and environmental considerations. Organizations that rely on fossil fuels may face significant costs in transitioning to renewable energy, which may affect their financial viability and competitiveness. However, the transition to renewable energy is essential for achieving SDG 7 and mitigating climate change. Organizations have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy practices that minimize harm to the environment and society.
Climate change is an ethical issue because it poses significant risks and harms to the environment, society, and future generations. Organizations that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through their operations or supply chains may be responsible for the negative impacts of climate change. Climate change also affects vulnerable communities disproportionately, exacerbating social inequalities and injustices. Organizations have a moral obligation to take responsibility for their carbon footprint, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and support climate action.
To evaluate an organization’s performance against these issues and SDG 7, a deontological framework can be used. Deontology emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions based on universal ethical principles, such as respect for human dignity, fairness, and justice. Organizations have a moral obligation to minimize harm to stakeholders, act in accordance with principles of justice and fairness, and respect human rights.
Application of Deontology to Energy Transition and Climate Change
Deontology would evaluate energy transition and climate change based on the ethical principles of minimizing harm, promoting justice and fairness, and respecting human rights. The following sections describe how deontology would apply to these issues.
Energy Transition
Deontology would require organizations to minimize harm to stakeholders in their transition to renewable energy. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating the negative impacts on affected communities, and ensuring a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels. Organizations should prioritize the protection of human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, access to energy, and fair compensation for affected workers and communities.
Deontology would also require organizations to act in accordance with principles of justice and fairness in their transition to renewable energy. This includes promoting equal access to affordable and clean energy for all, reducing social
