Sustainable communication strategy (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to:
- explain the importance of communicating sustainability in organisations
- elaborate upon how to engage stakeholders by showing the organisation’s progress on sustainability commitments
- analyze and compare critically different ways of communicating sustainability
- evaluate and create sustainability communication according to ethical communication principles (clear, concise, truthful, and responsible)

Location and time

[Kenttä ei ole Laureassa käytössä]

Materials

Chatzopoulou, E., & de Kiewiet, A. 2021. Millennials' evaluation of corporate social responsibility: The wants and needs of the largest and most ethical generation. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 20(3), 521-534.
Treen, K. M. D. I., Williams, H. T., & O'Neill, S. J. 2020. Online misinformation about climate change. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 11(5), e665.
Mickelsson, J., van Haren, J. J., & Lemmink, J. G. 2023. Wrinkles in a CSR story: mismatched agendas in fast fashion service brands' CSR reputation. Journal of Service Management, 34(2), 256-273.

Master's thesis: Barck, J. 2023. Communicating Sustainability Clearly and Effectively to Avoid Greenwashing: Small Slow Fashion Brands. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/790960

Teaching methods

Partially automated implementation:

The studies are partly completed independently, taking into account the schedule of assignment submissions within the given deadline. In addition to the independently studied part, the studies have scheduled teaching or guidance online (Introductory lecture in October 2023) Recordings of the teaching sessions can be viewed afterwards on Canvas. The studies do not involve pair or group work. Personal feedback is given on the final assignment by the teacher. The feedback is based on checking the correctness of the assignments and distributing model answers after the assignment has been submitted.

Please NOTE! The first session will be held on the 2nd of October at 3 pm to 4h30 pm in ZOOM and the Canvas learning platform will be open from the 2nd of October at 9 am until the 31st of December at 23.59. pm.

The implementation plan is only available in English

Employer connections

The final assignment includes a development task. The student will use a suggested framework for evaluating an organisation's sustainability communication (ethical framework)

Exam schedules

According to section 18 of the Degree Regulations, "the student must be present at the first contact session or notify the teacher in charge of his or her absence in order to confirm his or her participation in the studies. Alternatively, the teacher can also specify another way in which the student confirms his participation in the implementation. The studies starts on the
The first session will be held on the 2nd of October at 3 pm to 4h30 pm in ZOOM. Please inform the teacher if you cannot attend. Enrolment is rejected if the student does not report his/her absence from the start of his/her studies or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified.

International connections

The course is targeted at both Finnish and international students. The course material is based upon video presentations as well as peer-reviewed research articles.

Student workload

The course includes five modules. Three modules include quizzes as assignments , one module a Mind Map - assignment and one module a development assignment.
Module 1 0,5 study points 10 points from quiz
Module 2 0,5 study points 10 points from quiz
Module 3 0,5 study points 10 points from quiz
Module 4 1,5 study point 30 points from assignment
Module 5 2 study points 40 points from assignment

Content scheduling

"Sustainability communication is important because it plays a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting action on environmental and social issues. Effective communication can help educate individuals, organizations, and communities about the importance of sustainability and the steps that can be taken to create a more sustainable future. Overall, sustainability communication is important because it helps to create a shared understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities, inspires action and collaboration, and promotes accountability and transparency. "(Source https://chat.openai.com /)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

The studies are on a Master-level (EQF 7)