CQUniversity Unit Profile
MGMT20134 Business Ethics and Sustainability
Business Ethics and Sustainability
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All details in this unit profile for MGMT20134 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In today’s complex and interconnected world, ethical leadership and sustainable business practices are more important than ever. This unit offers a dynamic exploration of personal and business ethics alongside the evolving concept of business sustainability. You will critically analyse how socio-cultural environments shape business operations, with a focus on the significant variations across global cities and countries. Through engaging case studies and real-world examples, you’ll examine ethical decision-making frameworks used by managers and how these are influenced by diverse stakeholder groups. You’ll explore the key debates surrounding sustainable development and consider its implications for organisations operating at both local and global levels. This unit also investigates the vital relationship between personal values and organisational ethics, equipping you with tools to navigate ethical challenges posed by technological change, societal expectations, and cultural diversity. By the end of the unit, you’ll not only be prepared to identify and respond to ethical dilemmas in business settings but also to lead with integrity and purpose in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2026

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Website

This unit has a website, within the Moodle system, which is available two weeks before the start of term. It is important that you visit your Moodle site throughout the term. Please visit Moodle for more information.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Regional Campuses
Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Metropolitan Campuses
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Reflective Practice Assignment
Weighting: 50%
2. Presentation and Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

CQUniversity Policies

All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

You may wish to view these policies:


This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Feedback in class.

Feedback

Students appreciate the experience and knowledge sharing of the teaching team.

Recommendation

The recommendation is that the teaching team remain the same to ensure consistency of delivery across campuses.

Feedback from SUTE Commets 2025/1.

Feedback

Should involve more interactive sessions rather than just watch videos.

Recommendation

The recommendation is to include more interactive sessions with short, engaging quizzes and polls in classes. Having some live lectures could be included.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Examine the interconnections among business ethics, morality, law, sustainability, and globalisation, and evaluate their influence on business practices and societal outcomes.
  2. Explain and assess key elements of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, including the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and analyse their impact on business strategy and operations.
  3. Apply major ethical theories and decision-making frameworks to real-world business scenarios to enhance ethical reasoning and strategic outcomes.
  4. Evaluate how ethics is managed within organisations by applying tools and concepts such as corporate social responsibility initiatives, codes of ethics and conduct, and anti-bribery strategies to promote ethical behaviour in both business and broader civil society.
  5. Apply widely accepted professional ethical standards in workplace practices and interpersonal interactions.

The unit does not link to any specific external professional accreditation.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 50%
2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Take Home Exam - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Information for Textbooks and Resources has not been released yet.

This information will be available on Monday 16 February 2026
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?