Manchester Met: Responsible Enterprise Essay on Global Challenges

This essay, for the Responsible Enterprise unit, addresses the changing role of business in society, focusing on small to medium enterprises and social enterprises. It identifies key global challenges across social, economic, and environmental domains, drawing upon the '3 pillars of sustainable development' framework. The essay defines 'responsible enterprise,' comparing and contrasting concepts like sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical business to propose solutions. It further analyzes the roles and responsibilities of government and nonprofit organizations, suggesting the necessity of collaboration between business, government, and nonprofits to foster a more sustainable world. The essay is structured into an introduction outlining the purpose, followed by discussions on responsible enterprise and the roles of different sectors, culminating in a conclusion synthesizing findings and suggesting a path forward. The essay adheres to academic standards, including Harvard referencing and proper use of academic language.

Unit Title: Responsible Enterprise
Unit Code: 5T5Z0011 Core: Business
Management
Level: 5
Assignment Title: Responsible Enterprise Assignment 1:
What is Responsible Enterprise? (2,500 words – 40%)
Unit Leader: Dr. Helen Wadham
Contact Details:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel. No: 0161 247 6652
Room Number: 5.34
Submission Date: See date
on Moodle (10.00 p.m.)
Feedback Return Date: See Date on Moodle
Submission Instructions: Submit via Turnitin/Moodle (no hard copy to be submitted)
Feedback Return Information: Published via Turnitin/Moodle
Assignment Task
“What is responsible enterprise?” The purpose of this essay is to discuss the changing role
of business in society (including small to medium enterprises & social enterprises).
Specifically, students should identify the key global challenges we face, set out how
“responsible enterprise” might help address those challenges & suggest why greater
collaboration between business, government & nonprofits might be necessary in order to
do so.
All relevant topics are covered in Term 1. In addition, skills-based tasks will be included
throughout the unit to support students in developing their academic reading, writing &
referencing skills.
(Note that the resit will be a rework of the current assessment.)
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessed.
LO1: Identify and give examples of sustainable (defined as ethical social and ecological) issues
within the national and global context and how these relate to stakeholders.
LO2: Analyse the role of government at local, regional, national, and global levels in regulating
and influencing businesses sustainability performance.
LO5: Effectively communicate through appropriate structure and language and systematically
reference evidence and information used to undertake an assignment.
Faculty of
Business and Law

Assignment Details and Instructions.
1. Introduction & background: Briefly outline the purpose & structure of the
essay. Then, drawing on the “3 pillars of sustainable development,” set out what
you believe are the key social, economic & environmental challenges we
currently face as a global society. (700 words – 25%)
Relevant lectures: Introduction to the unit & social/ethical challenges;
Environmental challenges; Economic challenges
2. In the context of these challenges, set out what you understand by
“responsible enterprise” & how it might help address them. (750 words – 30%)
There are diverse interpretations of what responsible enterprise means, encompassing
related concepts such as sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate
citizenship & ethical business. You should compare & contrast a range of academic
views & interpretations of these concepts in your discussion.
Relevant lectures: Understanding the role of business in society; Defining
Responsible Enterprise; Identifying responsible enterprise in practice
3. Briefly explain the roles & responsibilities of government & nonprofit
organisations in addressing those same challenges. Suggest why greater
collaboration between business, government & nonprofits might be necessary.
(750 words - 30%)
Business, government & nonprofits all share the responsibility for creating a more
sustainable world. In order to consider the specific role of government & nonprofits,
you need to compare & contrast the two sectors with each other & with business. You
also need to consider the tools at their disposal & the way the two sectors can both
enable & inhibit more sustainable approaches.
Relevant lectures: The role of government; The role of nonprofits; Partnership for a
more sustainable world
4. Conclusion. (300 words - 10%)
Synthesise your findings in order to conclude on the key global challenges we face,
the role of “responsible enterprise” in addressing those challenges, & how greater
collaboration with government & nonprofits might enable such change to happen.
Relevant lecture: Assignment 1 guidance
Style. (5%)
Overall presentation of essay including structure, language, grammar, spelling. Systematic use
of Harvard-style referencing.
Relevant lecture: Academic writing & referencing
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Submission information & wordcount: Submit one essay with a wordcount of 2,500
words. Specify the wordcount at the end of the essay. Diagrams do not add to the
wordcount & should be included within the body of the essay rather than in an
appendix. You are required to submit your essay electronically via the Turnitin
Assignments link on the unit Moodle page. Do not submit a hard copy.
Formatting & style: Use 12-point, single-spaced font. Be analytical not descriptive in
your approach. The essay should be well-structured & use appropriate academic
language. It should contain a balance of theory & concepts, factual evidence & reasoned

argument. Harvard referencing style must be adopted i.e. all references must be cited
appropriately within the text, with a full alphabetical list of sources included at the end
of your assignment.
Using academic theory: Remember to make use of the relevant lecture & tutorial
material from Term 1. However, the assignment should be based primarily on your own
individual research i.e. not just lecture & tutorial material. Throughout your essay you
must draw on appropriate academic concepts, models & the general academic literature
in this subject area. In other words, appropriately referenced content is expected,
drawn from academic journal articles, textbooks, specialist reports, industry standards,
government data etc.
Early Career/ World Class Professional Skills (PLOs) being assessed or developed/assessed.
PL02 Communication
2.1 Appropriate referencing
Appropriate use of language
Produce well-structured work
PL03 Ethical & sustainable awareness
3.1 Identify ethical & sustainable issues
Relate ethical & sustainability issues to stakeholders
3.2 Analyse ethical & sustainability options
Propose & justify ethical & sustainability options
PLO4 Professional & commercial awareness
Critically discuss the global context
Identify & explain global context
Resources
See the Moodle unit page for further details on resources (lecture slides, tutorial activities, reading
list etc.)
Marking Criteria *
Group Work Guidelines (If applicable)
N/A
Unit Specification

Assessment Marking Criteria* (Include Programme learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria as necessary)
Assessment
descriptor
0-19% 20-34% 35-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-85% 86-100
1.
Introduction &
background:
Briefly outline
the purpose &
structure of
the essay. Set
out what you
believe are
the key social,
economic &
environmental
challenges we
currently face
as a global
society.
The
introduction
is very
difficult to
understand
or absent.
Formless
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
is inadequate
& confused.
Insufficient
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s
inadequately
what the
assignment
will cover &
why.
Incomplete
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s clearly what
the
assignment
will cover &
why.
Sufficient
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s confidently
what the
assignment
will cover &
why. Clear
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s effectively
what the
assignment
will cover &
why. Fluent
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s convincingly
what the
assignment
will cover &
why. Critical
discussion of
challenges.
The
introduction
communicate
s fluently
what the
assignment
will cover &
why.
Insightful
discussion of
challenges.
2.Set out what
you
understand by
“responsible
enterprise” &
how it might
help address
challenges.
Definition of
responsible
enterprise is
absent or
formless.
Lack of
discussion re.
its role.
Extremely
limited
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Limited
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Satisfactory
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Clear &
confident
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Fluent &
analytical
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Persuasive &
convincing
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
Insightful &
creative
review of the
concept &
role of
responsible
enterprise.
3. Briefly
explain the
roles &
responsibilitie
s of
Analysis of
the role of
government
& nonprofits
is absent or
Extremely
limited
analysis of
the role of
government
Limited
analysis of the
role of
government
& nonprofits.
Satisfactory
analysis of the
role of
government
& nonprofits.
Clear &
confident
analysis of the
role of
government
Fluent &
analytical
analysis of the
role of
government
Persuasive &
convincing
analysis of the
role of
government
Insightful &
creative
analysis of the
role of
government

government &
nonprofits &
suggest why
greater
collaboration
might be
necessary.
formless.
Lacking
discussion of
need for
collaboration
.
& nonprofits.
Extremely
limited
discussion of
need for
collaboration
.
Limited
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
Satisfactory
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
& nonprofits.
Clear &
confident
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
& nonprofits.
Fluent &
analytical
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
& nonprofits.
Persuasive &
convincing
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
& nonprofits.
Insightful &
creative
discussion of
need for
collaboration.
4. Conclusion.
Synthesise
findings.
The
conclusion is
absent or key
findings are
lacking.
Key findings
are
incorrectly
identified in
the
conclusion.
Key findings
are partially
identified in
the
conclusion.
Key findings
are identified
in the
conclusion.
Key findings
are identified
& analysed in
the
conclusion.
Key findings
are addressed
confidently in
the
conclusion.
Key findings
are evaluated
persuasively
in the
conclusion.
Key findings
are evaluated
insightfully in
the
conclusion.
5. Style.
Overall
presentation
of essay
including
structure,
language,
grammar,
spelling.
Systematic
use of
Harvard-style
referencing.
Formless
assignment.
Detrimental
use of
spelling &
grammar.
Little or no
referencing
to sources.
Extremely
limited
assignment.
Inadequate
use of
spelling &
grammar.
Erroneous
referencing.
An
inadequate
assignment.
Inconsistent
use of spelling
& grammar.
Draws on very
limited range
of sources
&/or
referencing is
inconsistent.
A satisfactory
assignment.
Adequate use
of spelling &
grammar.
Draws on &
references
limited range
of sources.
A careful
assignment.
Coherent use
of spelling &
grammar.
Draws on &
references
information
from a variety
of sources,
although not
all may be
appropriate.
A fluent
assignment,
Rigorous use
of spelling &
grammar.
Draws on
information
from a variety
of sources.
An original
assignment.
Meticulous
use of spelling
& grammar.
Analyses,
critiques &
references
information
from a variety
of sources to
bring insight
to the
analysis.
An innovative
assignment.
Exemplary
use of spelling
& grammar.
Analyses,
critiques &
references
information
from a variety
of sources to
bring original
insight to the
analysis.