Business Beyond Profit
| Module title | Business Beyond Profit |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP2001 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Alison Ashby (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
This module offers you the opportunity to explore how businesses can balance their environmental and social goals with financial sustainability, applying academic learning in a real-world context. The module will introduce you to different forms of business that do not necessarily prioritise profit -this will include Third Sector organisations, Social Enterprises, non-profits and not-for-profit organisations.
You will receive structured guidance about how and why these different forms of business are established and using a variety of techniques you will gain a comprehensive understanding of business development for environmental and social purposes. Invited guest speakers will share their insights and expertise of different aspects, challenges and considerations of developing and managing a ‘business beyond profit’.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to enable you to understand the role, significance and importance of businesses who have considerations and commitments beyond profit, and the principles on which such organisations function. Introductory sessions will provide definitions, frameworks and boundaries, and through collaborative and problem-based approaches you will explore the following key areas:
- Setting up and structuring a business beyond profit - including Financing, Resourcing and Marketing
- Managing the business – including Leadership, Governance and Impact Measurement
- Using Technology for environmental and social commitments - including the role and impact of technology and innovation, and the use of social media
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. articulate the principles and values of businesses with environmental and/or social priorities;
- 2. review different business models and key requirements for a Social Enterprise;
- 3. develop a social Enterprise Business plan/project and critically evaluate the SE management process;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. explain the concept of a business beyond profit and the principles by which it operates;
- 5. critically discuss issues of Environmental Sustainability and/or Social Responsibility
- 6. summarise the financial, legal and governance structures for a business beyond profit.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. develop research skills through accessing different sources and the use of social media;
- 8. demonstrate independent and group skills and identify the success factors for effective teamwork;
- 9. manage a group project to a successful outcome, monitoring progress and reflecting on the process.
Syllabus plan
Indicative content:
- Business Beyond Profit: what it is, how it works, why it is needed
- Business Principles, Goals, Commitments and Social Value
- Business Beyond Profit: organisational and legal structures
- Social and Environmental needs and solutions
- Social and Environmental Entrepreneurship
- Opportunities, benefits, limitations and challenges of businesses beyond profit
- Sources of funding and business planning and resourcing
- Impact and performance
- Leadership and Governance
- (Social) Innovation and Technology
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 125 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 11 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 14 | Tutorial and guest presentations |
| Guided Independent Study | 125 | Asynchronous activities on ELE, preparation for in class activities, group work, plus research, analysis and writing/production of individual assignments. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business plan | 1-page proposal | 1-2, 4-5, 7, 9 | Oral feedback provided by tutor in tutorial session |
| Digital content | 1-minute overview | 1-2, 4-8 | Oral feedback provided by tutor in tutorial session |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual digital content | 70 | A piece of digital-based content from a choice of formats equivalent to 3500 words | 1-2, 4-8 | Written |
| Group business plan/project | 30 | 5000 words maximum | 1-3, 6-9 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual digital content | A piece of digital content from a choice of formats equivalent to 3500 words | 1-2, 4-8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Group business plan/project | Individual business proposal | 1, 3, 6-8 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Doherty, B. Meehan, J. Maureen, R. Foster, G. Rotheroe, N. Mason, C. (2009) Management for Social Enterprise SAGE Publications Ltd
- Defourny, J., Hulgard, L., Pestoff, V. (2014) Social Enterprise and the Third Sector: Changing European Landscapes in a Comparative Perspective
- Nicholls, A. (2008) Social Entrepreneurship: New Models of Sustainable Social Change, Oxford University Press
- Barlow, A. (2021) Purpose Delivered: Bigger Benefits for Society and Bigger Profits for Business
- All students on the programme will have access to additional material via ELE
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- As provided and recommended during classes and via ELE
Key words search
Social Enterprises, Third Sector Business, Business Management, Business BSc
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2024 |
| Last revision date | 10/03/2025 |
