Organisational Social Responsibilities unit (BFA758)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

Organisations impact, and are impacted by, the societies in which they operate. That is, they are part of a broader social system. Society generally, and different groups of stakeholders specifically, expect an organisation to accept various responsibilities with respect to how it interacts with, and how it is accountable to, different stakeholders. Failure to comply with particular stakeholders’ expectations can have implications for the survival of an organisation. Employer groups, professional accounting bodies and course advisory committees have consistently highlighted the need for business students to be critical thinkers; be able to demonstrate skills that extend beyond technical competencies; and to be able to demonstrate an understanding that organisations are part of a broader social system on which they rely for organisational survival. This unit responds to this expectation, as it: Focusses on graduate self-awareness and applied technical and professional ‘soft’ skills in the following key areas:

• Provides insight into identifying stakeholders and their expectations

• Emphasises the relevance of sustainability to organisational success

• Provides a background to enable the determination of relevant frameworks to apply in order to improve an organisation’s social and environmental performance

• Provides insights into applying an accountability model to guide organisational reporting decisions

Summary

Unit name	Organisational Social Responsibilities
Unit code	BFA758
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline	Accounting
Coordinator	Associate Professor Trevor Wilmshurst
Delivered By	University of Tasmania and Third Party(ies): ECA
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Investigate how managers’ perceptions of business responsibilities influence their perceptions of social (sustainable) responsibility and accountability
• Critically review the relevance of sustainability practices and the role of managers in embracing these practices
• Evaluate the relevance of different frameworks identifying ways to view business/organizational social responsibility and select and apply them appropriate to business setting
• Professionally communicate information and recommendations to a range of stakeholders

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
080101	$2,174.00	$1,703.00	not applicable	$3,284.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XPD510

Teaching

Assessment	Individual Assignment (30%)|Individual Assignment (Video and Written Report) (35%)|Individual/Team Project (negotiated) (35%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	There is no specific textbook for this unit, however the unit contents have relied heavily on contents derived from: Deegan, C., An Introduction to Accounting: Accounting in Organisations and Society. 2nd ed, Cengage, 2023.
Recommended	As provided online.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.