Summary of content

The module is intended to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and awareness concerning ethical and responsible leadership issues related to business. Students will be supported to critically explore issues of ethics and responsible leadership in the private, public and social enterprise sectors, covering topics such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability, professionalism and ethically driven responsible leadership, including the extent to which statutory regulations and values secure corporate accountability. In so doing, students will gain insights into the internal and external accountability structures aimed at producing an ethical organisation.


The aim of this module is to equip students with a set of analytical tools and concepts to drive responsible decision-making whilst highlighting the difference between compliance- and ethically-driven behaviours. The module will therefore incorporate both a theoretical and practical understanding of real world issues, from a UK and global perspective. The UN Global Compact's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), GCU's Common Good attributes and the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be used to situate the content and aims of this module within the broader aims and ambitions of GSBS for its graduates.


The teaching of this module is based on a dialogic approach to learning that of debate, conversation and informed opinions. For all topics studied, students will be required to demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving skills, communication, interpersonal and reflective skills.

Module structure

Assessment methods