Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

Why does industry pollute so much? Can it pollute less? Does it want to? Businesses vary greatly, from the model firm leading in sustainable business practices to the heavy polluter that seems to go only for the quick buck. How can you explain such diversity? Is it just because some are 'good guys' and others 'bad guys', or is there more to it? This unit addresses these questions and asks: (1) Under what conditions will a business want to improve its management of the environment? (2) How can government and society effectively encourage businesses to want to do better? (3) What aspects of business managers' attitudes and behaviour do we need to understand to better know how they can improve their management of the environment?

This unit is organized into weekly topics that roughly correspond to the chapters of a core textbook, and each week contains three sessions. Topics include environmental externalities, stakeholder analysis, environmental accounting and reporting, environmental management systems and life-cycle-assessment, environmental investments, risk management and insurance, as well as eco-labelling and eco-certification. Each week, session 1 focuses on key concepts and an understanding of the issues based around key chapter readings. Session 2 is a lab session using Internet resources, where students search in small groups for information on a specific industry of their choice. This session also introduces them to some key online databases where they learn how to search for information quickly and efficiently. Session 3 focuses on behavioural aspects of business decision making in relation to environmental (mis)management. In this session, students are introduced to behavioural economics as well as to economic experiments, which are core tools in the study of economic behaviour. Students in this unit have various backgrounds: Science, Engineering, Business and also Arts (e.g. business ethics).

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 core unit in the Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Management major sequences
  • Level 3 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) critically analyse environmental management practices of private businesses; (2) use a variety of environmental management decision tools; (3) demonstrate understanding of key concepts and tools for analysing environmental management by business; (4) use powerful database search tools; and (5) demonstrate understanding of the principles for designing experiments to study key aspects of business behaviour.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) project; (2) online quizzes; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Steven Schilizzi
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ECON2224 Environmental Economics 2
or Unit(s) ECON2105 Rise of the Global Economy
or Unit(s) ECON2233 Microeconomics: Policy and Applications
or Unit(s) ECON2234 Macroeconomics: Policy and Applications
or Unit(s) ECON2245 Business Economics
or Unit(s) PLNG2203 Environmental Policy and Planning
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week
tutorials: 1 hour per week
Texts

Lesourd, J-B. and Schilizzi, S. The Environment in Corporate Management: New Directions and Economic Insights: Edward Elgar Publishing 2001, 2003*

An additional reference book is:

Brueckner, M. The Business with the Environment: a Different Reader, 2nd edn: Cengage Learning 2011

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.