Organisational Viability and Sustainability
| Module title | Organisational Viability and Sustainability |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM892DA |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Maya Vachkova (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
Whilst maintaining the ethos of serving the public interest, public sector organisations must thrive in increasingly uncertain and complex environments and strive towards social, ecological, and economic sustainability. To critically investigate these challenges, the module will introduce the topics of organisational complexity, cybernetics, and variety management. Students will be introduced to cybernetics, the science of effective organisation and more particularly – to the viability and sustainability approach and the self-transformation methodology. Upon completion, apprentices will gain new analytical and modelling skills and will learn how to diagnose organisational pathologies and how to propose recommendations for improvement. Learners will learn how to apply cybernetic principles in practice by critically reviewing examples of VSM applications.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to introduce systemic practice and what it means to be a systemic practitioner. Thus, the module also aims to equip you with new capabilities to understand and adopt systemic approaches in practical situations.
This module will present opportunities to build on knowledge dimensions K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5 of the Systems Thinking Practitioner Standard.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound theoretical knowledge of the viable system model.
- 2. Evidence a critical and detailed understanding of the practical application of the viable system model.
- 3. Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of qualitative modelling skills.
- 4. Critically reflect on organisational specifics.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Identify organisational pathologies affecting the performance of organisations.
- 6. Propose recommendations for improvement.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Think critically by linking theory with practice.
- 8. Challenge accepted practices or ideas with reasoned arguments.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Cybernetics
- The viable system model
- The self-transformation methodology
- Organisational performance
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 70 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 20 | Lectures and workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | 70 | Private study reading and preparing for the module and the assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report outline | 500 words | 1-2, 4-6, | Written |
| Peer-reviewed poster draft | Equivalent to 1000 words | 1-6 | Peer review |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 100 | 4,000 words | 1-2, 4-8 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 4,000 words | 1-2, 4-8 | Next re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Espinosa, A. (2022, forthcoming). ‘Sustainable Self-Governance in Businesses and Society: the Viable System Model in action’. London: Francis & Taylor, Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Sustainable-Self-Governance-in-Businesses-and-Society-The-Viable-System/Espinosa/p/book/9781032354972
- Espinosa, A., & Walker, J. (2017). Complexity Approach to Sustainability, A: Theory and Application (Vol. 5). World Scientific.
- Beer, S., & Beer, S. (1985). Diagnosing the system for organizations. Chichester: Wiley.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 10/09/2022 |
| Last revision date | 12/01/2023 |
