Responding to global supply chain issues - Year 9 & 10

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students investigate the social and environmental risks associated with global supply chains in more depth, and explore the concept of creating shared value as a means for addressing these risks while also considering the economic needs of businesses. They will carry out an inquiry that identifies the main participants and places involved in a global supply chain, as well as begin to identify some of the social and environmental issues arising from global supply chains.

This lesson supports students to inquire into the big idea of ‘real wealth’. Students develop an understanding of shared values, and build their sustainable and ethical financial knowledge, equipping them with the skills to make sound financial decisions based on social, environmental and economical merit.

Learning goals:

Students are introduced to the concept of shared value.
Students consider the nature of a global supply chain and the environmental and social issues associated with global supply chains.
Students explore the role of shared value in addressing the social and environmental problems associated with global supply chains.

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Literacy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.6, OI.8..

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 9 Economics and Business

Why and how participants in the global economy are dependent on each other (ACHEK039)

Year 10 Economics and Business

Factors that influence major consumer and financial decisions and the short- and long-term consequences of these decisions (ACHEK053)

Syllabus Outcomes: C5.2 C5.3 C5.4

Topic: Consumption

Unit of lessons: Real Wealth Year 9 & 10

Time required: 60 minutes + 10 minutes homework.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee activity.

Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet, device capable of presenting a website to the class. CSR And Shared Value, What Is A Supply Chain?, Real Wealth Cheat Sheet, Glossary Secondary.

Digital technology opportunities: Watching videos. Digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension.

Keywords: supply chain, global supply chain, transnational company, social, environmental.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: Students will become familiar with supply chain concepts and the nature of global supply chains. They will identify benefits and issues associated with a global supply chain and recognise some of the social and environmental issues associated with global supply chains.

Teacher content information: A supply chain is a system of businesses, organisations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in any stage of the production of a good or service. It can often involve interactions with a range of other businesses and requires precise coordination of the quality and delivery of inputs into the production process. Effective supply chain management can save a business money and is therefore key to the success of a business. Read more about supply chains here: What Is A Supply Chain?

Teaching Sequence

10 minutes - Defining supply chains
10 minutes - Watching International Trade and Supply Chains video, answering questions and

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Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: Can businesses have a global supply chain without exploiting people and/or the environment?

Preparation: Read this factsheet: What Is A Supply Chain?

Global Supply Chains

Working in pairs, watch this video and answer the questions below:

International Trade and Supply Chains (https://youtu.be/Bblo8_B32Co)

What is a global supply chain?

What are some of the reasons for the growth in global supply chains?

What are some of the benefits of having global supply chains?

What economic problems might be associated with global supply chains?

What strategies can be used to reduce these problems?

Can you think of any social problems resulting from global supply chains?

Can you think of any environmental problems resulting from global supply chains?

Again working in pairs, watch the video and answer the questions below:

Auret van Heerden: Making Global Labor Fair (https://www.ted.com/talks/auret_van_heerden_making_global_labor_fair#t-641834)

What is a tr

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Activity: Responding to global supply chain issues – Year 9 & 10

Activity Introduction