CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
This reflection is constructed on the basis of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, provides a rather personal perspective on learning about corporate strategies and sustainability within De Montfort University. It captures the process from basic understanding to in-depth analysis, analysing critical issues such as Nutella and Unilever’s sustainability approaches. Doing. Considering a reflective work of this journey, I choose according Gibbs Reflective Cycle, due to its structural aspects of providing insight into the reflection. [Refer to Appendix 1]
The first few weeks of the unit gave me a good introduction to very vital basics that underpin corporate sustainability. This period was characterized by the quest episteme ethics, environmental and social consequences with which companies should charter their policies. The study on the sustainability strategy of Nutella, with a focus on palm oil utilization was not an environmental analysis but rather reflected high consideration for ethical and economic challenges facing multinational companies Kasim et al. 2021). This request for information proved to be highly enlightening, as it informed the reader how complex is a process of balancing on the verge between profit-making and moral responsibility.
As the weeks went by, my learning journey became more and even deeper when we delved into an analysis of Unilever’s corporate strategy. At all the years of my study, this work was an example to follow in order to find a healthy way how sustainability can be introduced within multinational company. Of all the conducting initiatives, I am keen on pointing out to Unilever’s moves toward sustainable producing palm oil and others unveiled environmental commitments Matharu-Daley 2020). This case study allowed me to see how such high-level corporate strategies could effectively take on and implement sustainability objectives.
Milton Friedman’s theories on Corporate Social Responsibility were particularly important during these weeks. The conversations with these theories allowed me to implement a critical approach toward corporate strategies. Friedman’s profit-focused standpoint, along with more comprehensive readings of corporate responsibilities helped me to fathom the complicated situation where companies are affiliated society (Callanan et al. 2023). Such theoretical incorporation was genuinely key for shaping the manner of my critical reasoning and forming ideas regarding ethical components connected to commercial operations.
These weekly group discussions and individual tasks were transformative since they made the learning practical. The evaluation of corporate sustainability statements reveals that the process and CEO reports across multiple firms was not something theoretical but offered an aspect to real transactional practices. This was not only a boost in terms of sharpening my analytical skills but also I could be able to simplify most complicated ideas and get the practical implication of what is taught theoretically. So, this module has completely transformed my mindset about the conceptual framework related to linking business strategies with sustainability at an international level.
My emotional response to the learning experiences I had throughout my weeks in this module at De Montfort University was both deep and multidimensional.
During the first weeks, when I was trying to understand essential aspects of corporate sustainability, I faced a general sense of overwhelm. The extent and diversity of the subject itself, especially with regards to Nutella in terms of sustainability approaches appeared overwhelming. The questions that occupied my mind were ethical, environmental and economic concerns companies had to consider for balancing. It arises question, “Could I understand these complex concepts fully?”.
Nevertheless, as the module advanced especially when holding an analysis of Unilever’s corporate strategy my sentiments changed. It turned my apprehension into fascination with the application of sustainability principles in a global business setting. I was anxiously waiting for and looking forward to each topic with anticipation of how sustainability is being implemented in these big companies. However, the case studies were not just academic papers; they felt like looking through a window into how implementing sustainability in business was actually done.
The interaction with theoretical frameworks, in particular those shared by Friedman related to CSR evoked a complex set of emotions (Hayes, 2022). I flipped between frustration and enlightenment as it tried to balance Friedman’s profit-oriented manner with the more complete views of corporate responsibility. Thus, these theoretical studies were rather arduous but extremely gratifying because they made me rethink and reshape my beliefs about the place of business in society.
The practical use of this knowledge in working groups and personal tasks introduced the feeling of achievement and self-confidence. Each week, as I used theoretical concepts to analyse corporate sustainability statements and CEO reports my critical thinking skills became stronger. The accomplishment of effectively expressing various challenging concepts and debating ideas with my peers was the bright spot in my undergraduate experience.
In evaluating my learning experience in the module from De Montfort University, it is clear that there were successes and areas to improve upon week by week. The first two weeks of the emphasis on corporate sustainability with specific attention to the Nutella case study proved very effective in discussing various aspects and dimensions of business sustainability. The balance between theory and practice provided a good foundation for understanding (Null, 2023). Nevertheless, I believe that some level of depth in conversation could have been necessary especially regarding the broader ramifications’ sustainability practices by different industries.
With the module moving to a strategic analysis of Unilever, it improved into an interesting learning experience. This application was executed quite well, providing a clear understanding of how sustainability is incorporated into the corporate strategy (Killian et al. 2019). This section of the module was especially effective, as it successfully blended theoretical knowledge with concrete real-life cases.
The theoretical framework, including Friedman’s perspective of CSR served as a perfect starting point for critical thinking. Nevertheless, sometimes and especially in the mid-weeks of this module stronger link between theory and practice could be provided. During these weeks, more practical examples or case studies would have improved the learning process.
Group discussions and individual work was always useful during the session. They offered a platform for practical application of the learned concepts and this played an important role in consolidating my comprehension. Nevertheless, additional feedback on these tasks would have helped promote in-depth learning and understanding. All in all, the module was clearly structured and informative; it combined theory with practical exercises. Whilst the gradual build up from basic concepts to more complex analyses was well paced I felt at times a little depth or practical examples would have enhances this learning journey further.
The following weeks in this module at De Montfort University, studying my learning experience analysis has pointed out different insights and underlying factors that influenced the course of my pursuit. In the first few weeks, my understanding of corporate sustainability especially through Nutella case was formative but largely superficial. The author’s description of the real-world sustainability application in this case was helpful, even if a more comprehensive analysis of wider industry impact would be better (Altenburger et al. 2019). The first phase was essential in laying the foundation yet difficult to understand all aspects of subject matter.
From the point of view of integration theory and practice, it can be observed that when turning onto Unilever’s corporate strategy there was a clear improvement towards its unity throughout the module. This era was characterized by a better harmony between practice and theory. This part of the module was a very successful one because it demonstrated clearly how sustainability is incorporated into real-life business strategies. This also drew attention to an earlier gap in the module where theoretical concepts and their utilisation were not strongly connected.
Interactions with theoretical constructs, particularly Friedman’s perspectives on CSR proved to be intellectually challenging but also demonstrated a component of my learning process (Fox, 2020). The difficulty was not just understanding these theories, but in applying them critically to analyze complex business situations. The critical thinking and comparing of various theoretical approaches to look at a given subject matter made up this part of the module.
Module- wise group discussions and individual tasks were vital in reinforcing my learning during this module. The implementation of theories in these tasks was quite successful. On the other hand, at times the difference in feedback depth on these tasks provided a challenge to measure my level of understanding and growth.
Finally, the analysis of my learning experience in this module reveals complex relationship between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. Every week offered its own set of challenges and opportunities for learning, which cumulatively provided a good overall academic experience.
Considering this learning journey through the entire module at De Montfort University, conclusions can be drawn on a multi-layered level as multidimensional both from an academic and personal perspective. Within the first weeks, my understanding basis of corporate sustainability especially with Nutella was laid. On the other hand, it became clear that an in-depth examination of different industrial settings would have added depth to this fundamental knowledge base.
With the passage of weeks, assessing Unilever’s strategy gave a larger perspective on what it takes to put sustainability into practice in business. The second stage of this module was key in bringing theoretical ideas and practical applications together. Success in this case is evident when showing the effects that sustainability strategies yield on a corporate platform. Critical thinking was improved by the interaction with theoretical frameworks, especially Friedman’ views on social responsibility (Dmytriyev, 2021). It highlighted the need to strike a balance between profitability and ethics in business. The application of the critical method in these weeks to apply these theories was both demanding and enlightening.
The module structure, which included theory and practice therefore proved helpful in understanding corporate sustainability holistically. It was through group discussions and individual tasks that the theoretical concepts were strengthened by practical application. On the contrary, a different degree of feedback on these tasks showed an area for possible improvements. To sum up, the module has been a journey of enormous proportions with significant findings on corporate strategies and sustainability. It has made me much better comprehend business ethics and sustainability, which informs my view on contemporary corporations’ liabilities and challenges. The ideas gained from this module have been quite comprehensive to my academic progress and career pursuits.
Assessing the learning path in this module from De Montfort University, my action plan based on what was achieved throughout these weeks and learned is to provide practical steps for further application of knowledge.
Action | Description |
Deepen Industry-Specific Knowledge: | In the next few weeks, I intend to explore specific areas of industries so as to know how sustainability is engaged in different manners. This will expand upon the fundamental information about Nutella’s sustainability approach during its early weeks.
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Enhance Practical Application of Theories: | In turn, I plan to continue using theoretical frameworks (e.g., Friedman’s CSR perspective) in contemporary business examples. This includes deeper engagement in case studies and simulations that have been introduced at the module level.
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Develop Critical Thinking Skills: | In order to strengthen the analytical skills developed in the module, I will conduct daily critical reflection exercises by applying sustainability to current business news and strategies.
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Seek Diverse Perspectives | I intend to interact with more interdisciplinary conversations, both within and outside of academic spheres in order to further my understanding concerning sustainability as a business. This procedure is influenced by the group discussions and tasks that are done during this module. |
Pursue Professional Development Opportunities | With the acquired knowledge, I plan to apply for internships in corporations or projects which are well versed with sustainability.
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Table 1: Action plan
With this plan, I am committing to a lifetime of learning and development based on the entire module’s holistic understandings. It shows a wish not only to develop one’s own knowledge but also make a meaningful contribution in the field of corporate sustainability.
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(Source: https://www.mindtools.com/ano9qiu/gibbs-reflective-cycle)
