GSZ608 Managing Stakeholder Relationships


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Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 03A 2026, Online (Start Date: 23 Feb 2026)

Unit code:GSZ608
Credit points:12
Assumed Knowledge:

Completion of 'Managing Stakeholder Relationships' Professional Development Module or equivalent is assumed knowledge.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The aim of stakeholder relationship management is to influence stakeholder attitudes, decisions, and actions for mutual benefit. Developing and maintaining good stakeholder relationships is a vital function of leaders who need to achieve outcomes for the enterprise through projects or strategic initiatives. Identifying stakeholders and managing their expectations requires excellent analytical and communication skills and an understanding of what drives the individuals involved with the project. Good stakeholder management not only ensures the working environment runs smoothly, it helps to mitigate risk, align business goals and eliminate delays.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Understand when and how to apply stakeholder relationship practices appropriately to achieve high performance outcomes.
  2. Adapt approaches to stakeholder relationship management to suit the organisational context and stage in the relationships development lifecycle.
  3. Identify or analyse factors to build organisational capability and capacity in stakeholder relationship lifecycle.
  4. Design a comprehensive strategy to build organisational capacity to develop and sustain collaborative stakeholder relationships.

Content

The topics covered in this unit have been developed to provide students with a broad grasp of the principles of managing stakeholder relationships. Topics explored will include:

  • Stakeholder Management models and frameworks
  • Choosing a Strategic approach to stakeholder engagement
  • Leadership for strong relationships with key stakeholders
  • Managing stakeholders in crisis situations
  • Building Organisational capability in stakeholder relationship Management

Course Learning Outcomes (Postgraduate - Executive) 
 
The Graduate School of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment: 
 
Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS) 
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge (including systems thinking approaches, multidisciplinary frameworks and knowledge of research principles and methods) that incorporate recent development in business disciplines, professional practice, and digital innovation. 
1.2 Apply advanced technical and technological knowledge and skills from a range of business disciplines to critically reflect on, evaluate and contribute to developments that enhance innovative, sustainable, effective, and transformational business performance in local, national, global, and virtual business environments. 
 
Higher Order Thinking (HO) 
2.1 Provide evidence of effective analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of complex data, theories, ideas, issues, situations, and trends across multiple contexts and demonstrate knowledge of how research and inquiry can be used to interpret, contribute to and create theoretical and practical knowledge.  
2.2 Provide evidence of higher order thinking including creativity, judgement, cognitive flexibility and critical reflection in designing, planning and implementing transdisciplinary digital strategies and solutions for effective performance in complex digital business environments. 
 
Professional Communication (PC) 
3.1 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in written communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate, lead, and transform in diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences. 
3.2 Demonstrate advanced use of language and argumentation in oral communication, including digital communication, to frame strategic and influential responses to engage, persuade, negotiate, collaborate and lead across diverse and complex contexts (both physical and digital) and for diverse audiences. 
 
Self and Leadership (SL) 
4.1 Demonstrate adaptive personal leadership and accountability, including self-awareness, reflective practice and foresight in adapting and applying knowledge and skills to inform and influence effective, responsible, innovative, and agile practice in contemporary digital environments. 
4.2 Lead, manage and foster the development of collaborative teams that value and leverage the diverse knowledge and skills of others to contribute to the development of adaptable, transformative, and sustainable courses of action in complex contemporary environments. 
 
Social, Ethical and Cultural Understanding (SEC) 
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical, legal, and responsible leadership principles and practices of business, to contribute to responsible organisational governance and citizenship in local, national, global, and virtual business environments. 
5.2 Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate, interpret and critically reflect on appropriate culturally, socially and ecologically inclusive and responsible decisions and actions across complex, diverse social and cultural contexts. 

Learning Approaches

This unit is presented in two components: a professional development module and a credential unit. Both involve online learning and the completion of readings and activities prior to intensive face-to-face workshops and/or virtual classrooms and work applied assessments. Students engage in reflective practice as they apply theories and technical skills to their work, sharing their experience with peers and synthesising these experiences with academic principles. Activities and assessment equip students to apply analytical skills and concepts for investigating and evaluating a range of issues in workplace context.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the teaching period, which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to whole class

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Essay

Assessment Name: Stakeholder Relationship Management Organisational Analysis

Description: Students are required to prepare an essay critically evaluating the arrangements adopted by an organisation with which they are familiar (at organisational, business unit, or functional level) for strategic stakeholder management.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Report

Assessment Name: Building Organisational Capability in SRM

Description: Building on the analysis undertaken for Assessment 1, the student is required to prepare a report presenting a comprehensive strategy (supported by relevant recommendations) to enhance stakeholder relationship management, including building the relationship management capability of the organisation.

Formative or Summative: Summative

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: 2500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Nil

Other

GSZ608 Canvas site

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate Executive)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Essay, Report

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Essay, Report

KS (1.1): Advanced Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Essay, Report

KS (1.2): Advanced Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO3, ULO4

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO4, Essay, Report

SE (5.2): Cultural , Environmental and Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO4, Report