Course description
Businesses are facing a perfect storm at the intersection of climate change, energy crisis, resource scarcity, and economic restructuring. With increasing demands for societal contribution, business-as-usual is no longer an option.
As is often the case, new risks create new opportunities. Managers that approach the risks through innovative and non-incremental thinking will come up with the solutions that help meet the needs of society while delivering returns to shareholders. For that, it is critical to reassess traditional strategies and learn to question some of the linear business model fundamentals.
Students will analyze the drivers, triggers, and economic thinking in each of the abovementioned strategy domains, and (importantly!), managerial mind shifts needed to move towards higher levels of sustainability.
Course goals
While conceptually rigorous, this course aims to be solutions driven, providing both academically sound and practically applicable insights. Using cases, industry speakers, short quizzes, and a group project, students will sharpen their ability to critically debate complex and systemic sustainable strategy formation issues from an informed position.
Course results
- To understand how companies can address sustainability challenges while simultaneously building a successful business.
- To challenge incrementalism in company’s sustainability actions and to develop mental models for the different levels of impactful sustainability innovation.
- To develop ability to see relationships among multiple, often conflicting, issues in supporting the necessary transition towards a sustainable economy.
- To appreciate key managerial mindset differences for traditional and sustainable business strategies.
- To demonstrate critical analysis and communication abilities, especially in the context of complex and systemic issues, and apply systems thinking to real-world business problems.
- To demonstrate understanding of the complex decisions faced by managers in business, government, and non-profit organizations.
- To be able to develop business case for sustainability.
