Week 6 Strategic Integration of Positive Social Change Discussion
Business Finance
Within the world of strategic business planning, positive social change can often be lost or diminished to the point of minimal effectiveness. However, it is possible to achieve a solid balance of effective and responsible business planning if given the right tools and opportunities. Professionals who consider the importance of business ethics alongside positive social change can create a successful and accountable organization.
This week, you will analyze the risks and benefits of incorporating positive social change into an organization’s strategic planning process. You will also evaluate business ethics from a perspective focused on promoting positive social change.
Learning Objectives
Independent scholars will:
- Analyze risks and benefits of integrating positive social change into organizational strategic planning
- Evaluate business ethics within the context of positive social change
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Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Dyer, J. H., Godfrey, P., Jensen, R., & Bryce, D. (2016).
Strategic management: Concepts and tools for creating real world strategy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.- Review Chapter 13: “Corporate Governance and Ethics” (pp. 256–273)
- Case 13: “Corporate Governance and Ethics: A Series of Decisions” (pp. C-119–C-120)
Discussion: Strategic Impact of Positive Social Change Initiatives
Not all initiatives for promoting positive social change are successful, but these represent an opportunity to not only learn from one specific context, but also to shed light on a wider understanding of strategic planning. When larger corporations such as Starbucks have an initiative that fails, they can treat it like a learning opportunity for both the next initiative and their overall business strategies. Smaller companies, on the other hand, may be impacted in a more significant way.To prepare for this Discussion, review the video case study featuring Walden alumnus Eric Barton and his organization, Business Owners Benefits Association (BOBA), and consider the potential benefits and risks of incorporating a social change mission into business strategy. Be sure to utilize the Walden Library to identify scholarly examples of both successful and unsuccessful instances of social change integration.
By Day 3
Post an analysis of the risks and benefits of integrating a positive social change mission into organizational strategic planning. Your analysis should include the following:
- What are the benefits for organizations considering integrating positive social change into their business strategy?
- What are the potential risks for organizations considering integrating business strategies with an emphasis on positive social change?
- Provide a real-world example of an organization that experienced an unsuccessful implementation of a positive social change initiative. As an independent scholar and global change agent, explain what the organization might have done differently, including planning or executing strategies to improve marketplace or cultural impacts.
Be sure to support your work with a minimum of two specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and at least one additional scholarly source.Refer to the Week 6 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this rubric to assess your work.
