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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Strategic Sustainable Development

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Course syllabus

Strategic Planning for Organizational Sustainability Transitions

Strategic Planning for Organizational Sustainability Transitions

7.5 credits (7,5 högskolepoäng)

Course code: SL2559
Main field of study: Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2022-08-29
Approved: 2022-03-02

1. Descision

This course is established by Dean 2021-04-30. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Strategic Sustainable Development 2022-03-02 and applies from 2022-08-29.

2. Entry requirements

Admission to course requires at least 120 completed credits including at least 1,5 credits in Strategic Sustainable Development. English 6.

3. Objective and content

3.1 Objective

The purpose of the course is for the student to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of a method for strategic planning to lead an organization towards sustainability.

3.2 Content

The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) will be used as an overarching approach to guide a full system understanding of an organization role in society’s transition towards sustainability. The FSSD’s ABCD strategic planning procedure will be used to organize the application of other tools and concepts to develop an organization’s vision, a comprehensive sustainability assessment, and multi-factoral prioritization approaches to implementing a strategic plan. This course will build on the basic knowledge of the ABCD procedure students will have from the prerequisite courses and will deepen their understanding of strategic planning with complementary tools, concepts and group participatory methods.
The self-benefit (i.e. the business case) for an organization to become more sustainable will be included in the method.

4. Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:

4.1. Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

  • Describe and discuss a methodology for strategic thinking and strategic planning for sustainability.

4.2. Competence and skills

On completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

  • Describe the benefits to a specific organization from applying a strategic approach to sustainable development.
  • Develop and evaluate an organizational vision within the frames of a principled definition of sustainability.
  • Assess an organization’s current position relative to its vision and create a strategic plan to create change, with prioritized goals and actions that lead to the vision.
  • Be able to communicate and argue for results and conclusions.

4.3. Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

  • Critically reflect on aspects of a strategic planning process to adapt aspects of the process to a specific organizational context.

5. Learning activities

Kursen är centrerad kring en projektuppgift i grupp för att skapa en strategisk plan för en verklig organisation. Grupparbetet ger en konkret och praktisk verklighetskontext där kunskap och förståelse kan appliceras. Grupparbetet är centralt för lärandet av den mer avancerade ABCD-proceduren. För att stötta denna problembaserade gruppinlärning tillhandahåller lärare en kombination av lektioner, handledning av grupper, feedback, såväl som läsunderlag och videoresurser.

6. Assessment and grading

Modes of examinations of the course

Code Module Credit Grade
2205 Project Assignment 3.5 credits GU
2215 Written assignment 1 1.0 credits GU
2225 Written assignment 2 0.5 credits GU
2235 Take-home Examination 2.5 credits GU

The course will be graded G Pass, UX Fail, supplementation required, U Fail.

To be graded, the assignments must be submitted on time. Late submissions, as well as poor participation or inability to participate in the project group project, will be considered as a fail (U) for that submission opportunity within the course, unless otherwise negotiated and agreed with the course examiner. Opportunities to pass any failed assignments will be offered after the regular course schedule is complete, unless otherwise negotiated and agreed with the course examiner.

The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.

An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.

7. Course evaluation

The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.

8. Restrictions regarding degree

The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.

9. Course literature and other materials of instruction

Robèrt K-H., Broman G., Waldron D, Ny H., Hallstedt S., Cook D., Johansson L.,, Oldmark J., Basile G., Haraldsson H.,MacDonald J., Moore B., Connell T., Missimer M., Daly E., and Johnson P. (2019). Sustainability Handbook (2nd ed). Studentlitteratur, Lund, Sweden. ISBN: 978-91-44-11595-5
Supplementary materials are provided.

10. Additional information

This course replaces SL2556