Greg Lopez

Social and political actors shape business and government decisions, influencing politicians, non-governmental agencies, public services, and a host of global institutions. In this Unit, we discuss various approaches to understanding these interactions. This includes learning about how stakeholders influence business life, the key components of a business, and the links between business and society, as well as how corporate social responsibility (CSR) shapes business practice and strategy. It will utilise evidence-based research to evaluate debates about business-political links. After this Unit, you will be able to analyse and assess the building blocks of society and business and explain how they are linked together. 

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations face the formidable challenge of balancing profitability with the imperative to protect the environment, support societal well-being, and ensure the welfare of their employees. This delicate balance is further complicated by the widespread issue of employee disengagement, which can undermine organisational effectiveness and sustainability.

MBS663: Leading the Engaged Enterprise is designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to navigate these complexities and lead effectively in such challenging environments. This unit will delve into various leadership and management theories, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the differing concepts and their practical applications.

This unit focuses on the development of strategic thinking skills, enabling students to reflect creatively on organisational and business strategy. Strategic intelligence is built by focusing on understanding the language of strategy and learning how information from internal and external environments can assist in developing and communicating a vision, contributing to scenario planning and strategy cultivation, and ultimately leading to innovation in service development and delivery.

Murdoch University’s Executive Master's in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation is a 12-month, technology-enabled program designed to equip experienced professionals with the skills to lead in today’s complex and interconnected world. Built around three core themes—Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation—the program combines interactive online learning with practical application, ensuring participants develop the ability to manage uncertainty, drive organisational performance, and foster innovation.

Key features include nine intensive modules, an International Immersion in Singapore and a Capstone Consulting Project that applies learning to real-world challenges. Designed for leaders across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, the program offers a unique opportunity to gain global perspectives, enhance strategic thinking, and transform leadership capability.

Murdoch University, the Murdoch Business School, is proud to partner with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to deliver the Graduate Certificate in Business (specialising in Executive Leadership and Management)—a customised postgraduate qualification designed for senior officers and PSGO managers across Western Australia’s emergency services and related agencies.

Participants from DFES and guest agencies, including the WA Police Force, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Department of Justice, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, Department of Communities, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Transport, etc and St John WA, will benefit from Murdoch University’s research expertise and the experience of our academic staff.

This innovative program reflects global best practice and focuses on the human factors that strengthen leadership, decision-making, and organisational responsiveness in complex and uncertain environments. It provides a challenging academic experience tailored to the realities of emergency management and public sector leadership.

Program units:

• MBS591 People and Performance – Enhance your ability to motivate and build capability in individuals and teams through psychological principles, effective communication, and conflict management.
• MBS598 Effective Leadership – Explore leadership challenges in emergency management and develop strategies to lead effectively in times of uncertainty and complexity.
• MBS596 Cultural Competence – Learn how to foster adaptive organisational cultures that can respond to multi-stakeholder challenges beyond routine operations.
• MBS594 Developing Strategic Intelligence – Build strategic thinking and scenario planning skills to inform future planning and operational decisions.

This program equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate the increasing complexity of emergency services and public sector management, ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.