Corporate Sustainability Management with Focus on Sustainability Communications

44M0522

Master

English

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

Students enrolled in the module demonstrate a profound understanding of leading theories, principles, and methods within the realm of sustainable corporate governance. They possess the ability to critically analyze and justify the strategic dimension of sustainability while deeply grasping concepts such as sustainability communication, reporting, and corporate governance.

Moreover, they excel in applying methods for identifying, categorizing, and evaluating relevant sustainability issues, integrating them holistically. The module is heavily oriented towards case studies, allowing students to learn in a practical context through real-world scenarios and examples.

Students are adept at discussing and illustrating opportunities for analyzing and assessing sustainable management using case studies from the agricultural and food industry. They can present empirical examples of conflicts of interest in sustainability management, understanding the pivotal role of reporting as an integral component of sustainability management.

1. Roles and Integration of Sustainability Management within the Company
2. Tools for Theme Monitoring: Stakeholder Dialogue and Materiality Analysis
3. Approaches to Defining and Managing Corporate Sustainability Goals - Roadmaps and Key Performance Indicators
4. Communication Formats for Presenting Sustainability Performance - CSR Reports and Other Products (Print and Online)
5. Sustainability in Capital Market Communication - SRI (Socially Responsible Investment)
6. Sustainability in Customer Communication - Transparency and Certifications
7. Measures for Evaluating Sustainability Communication
8 Opportunities and Challenges of Collaborations with External Stakeholders

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Multiple choise written examination or
• oral exam or
• Homework / Assignment or
• Project Report, written

A fundamental understanding of the concept of sustainable development, as well as knowledge of value creation processes in the agricultural and food industry, are recommended.

Graduates have demonstrated knowledge and understanding that builds upon the foundations of undergraduate studies and significantly deepens and expands it. They can define and interpret the specifics, limitations, terminologies, and doctrines of their field in the context of sustainability management, for example regarding topics such as sustainable agriculture and organic food production. Additionally, they can elucidate the significance of sustainable supply chains in the food industry, exemplifying the benefits of local and seasonal foods and discussing their impacts on the environment and society.

Graduates of the module in Corporate Sustainability Management with a focus on Sustainability Communication demonstrate a profound understanding of the role and significance of this field within the corporate context. They can characterize instruments such as stakeholder dialogue and materiality analysis, comprehending their contribution to identifying and prioritizing sustainability issues. Moreover, they are proficient in developing roadmaps and defining metrics to monitor goal achievement. Their comprehension extends to various communication formats for presenting sustainability performance, as well as the challenges and opportunities of collaborating with external stakeholders. By applying measures to evaluate sustainability communication, they can estimate effective strategies and integrate them into the overall corporate strategy. Their knowledge enables them to develop independent ideas and pursue application- or research-oriented approaches in the field of corporate sustainability management with a focus on sustainability communication.

Graduates of the Corporate Sustainability Management module adeptly analyze and evaluate tasks such as defining and managing sustainability goals and evaluating sustainability communication measures. They critically assess the theoretical validity and methodological soundness of their approaches, synthesizing scientific and methodical considerations. Through this critical evaluation, they can effectively solve practical scientific problems within the context of sustainability management. They are skilled in justifying their decisions and conclusions, utilizing a robust understanding of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches. Furthermore, they demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on their findings and methodologies, contributing to the advancement of sustainable business practices.

The students integrate existing knowledge about the tasks and anchoring of sustainability management in companies and adapt it to complex contexts, for instance, strategically planning stakeholder dialogues. Simultaneously, they acquire new knowledge about tools like materiality analysis to apply them effectively in projects for defining and managing corporate sustainability goals. By integrating these various sources of knowledge, they are capable of making informed decisions and critically reflecting on practical scientific issues, significantly enhancing the quality of their sustainability communication.

Students in the module are capable of formulating research questions and hypotheses, particularly within the context of sustainable development, specifically in companies within the agricultural and food industry. They select research methods to, for instance, collect data and generate research results, and critically justify their choices. Furthermore, they have the ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate these results, enabling them to independently conduct research projects and draw scientifically sound conclusions.

The students effectively involve stakeholders in tasks while considering the respective group dynamics, such as implementing sustainability goals in companies within the agricultural and food industry.

Furthermore, they identify potential conflicts in collaboration with others and reflect on them in light of overarching conditions, especially concerning sustainability-related issues. Through constructive and conceptual actions, they ensure the implementation of situation-appropriate solution processes, which contribute positively to sustainable development

Graduates of the module acquire the following competencies:

They develop a professional self-image in the field of sustainability management, aligned with goals and standards of professional conduct in academic research as well as in companies within the agricultural and food industry. They justify their actions with theoretical and methodological knowledge in the context of sustainable development and reflect on alternative approaches to goal achievement.

Additionally, they assess their abilities to weigh sustainability-related challenges and autonomously make informed decisions, such as in developing sustainable solutions for businesses. Continuously, they further develop their skills under guidance to meet the demands of the dynamic sustainable business landscape.

• Kussin, Matthias

• Kussin, Matthias
• Schneiders, Daniel