Objectives

Because of the health evolution related to COVID-19, the study plans may be adapted during the semester.

This course offers an introduction to scientific research in sustainability accounting and intends to support students in their dissertation work by providing the tools to independently conduct a research project as well as to present, discuss and write it according to academic standards.

The learning objectives are to develop knowledge and skills useful to:

• Critically conduct a literature review;
• Identify and define interesting and novel research questions, adopt theoretical framework(s) and/or develop hypothesis;
• Choose, apply and describe an appropriate research method to collect and analyze data;
• Analyze and present the research findings;
• Discuss and interpret results in lights of previous studies and/or theoretical framework(s);
• Identify the contributions, implications and limitations of the study.

After this course, students will develop an understanding of the fundamental steps of the research process using relevant sustainability accounting studies to illustrate it and they will learn how to present and discuss scientific academic research articles and their own research projects.

Contents

Topics covered include:

• Sustainability accounting research: fundamental concepts;
• Reviewing the literature: search process and results synthesis;
• Research aims and theoretical framework: identification and definition of research question(s); theoretical background and/or hypothesis; development;
• Research methodologies: quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis;
• Data analysis using statistics (i.e., STATA software);
• Research discussion and conclusions: presentation and interpretation of findings, discussion of research contributions, implications, and limitations.

References

Relevant readings will be provided by the instructor.

Pre-requisites

None.

Evaluation

First attempt

Exam:

Without exam (cf. terms)  

Evaluation:

• Article(s) presentation and discussion (30%);
• Research project presentation and discussion (60%);
• Group activities completion (10%).

Retake

Exam:

Without exam (cf. terms)  

Evaluation:

• Article(s) presentation and discussion (30%);
• Research project presentation and discussion (60%);
• Group activities completion (10%).