Sustainable transformation and future-fit business

MGT-546 / 3 credits

Teacher(s): Headon Patrick Vincent, Normand Jonathan Robert

Language: English

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Summary

This course explores the practical side of sustainability in business, by diving into the key impact areas and examining concrete steps businesses can take to drive transformation. Students will work on a practical project with a company to identify and implement strategic impact improvements.

Content

The content of the course is based on the B Lab Standards. It will include:

Introduction: Business case for sustainability and materiality
Business Impact: Purpose and Stakeholder Governance
Business Impact: Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion
Business Impact: Human Rights
Business Impact: Climate Action
Business Impact: Environmental Stewardship and Circularity
Business Impact: Fair Work
Future-Bakc Thinking Workshop
Business Impact: Government Affaires and Collective Action

Keywords

Sustainability, Strategy, Implementation, Impact, Innovation, Business models

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

None

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

Explain the role businesses play in embodying and accelerating sustainability, including the key drivers and obstacles they face.
Assess / Evaluate the feasibility of strategic sustainability initiatives within a business context, aimed at improving impact through operations and business models.
Apply theoretical knowledge to identify various practices and strategies companies can use to reduce negative impacts and enhance positive contributions to stakeholders and the environment in practical business settings.
Examine the complexity of sustainability in the corporate sector to ensure meaningful impact, and address challenges such as communication and stakeholder engagement.
Assemble the building blocks of a sustainability strategy for businesses
Develop impactful solutions and strategies based on a specific framework

Transversal skills

Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
Write a scientific or technical report.
Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
Assess progress against the plan, and adapt the plan as appropriate.