Sustainable Business Management

Master 2024/2025

Type: Compulsory course (Operational Excellence and Production Systems )

Area of studies: Management

Delivered by: Department of Strategic and International Management

Where: Graduate School of Business

When: 2 year, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Tom Rawlins

Master’s programme: Производственные системы и операционная эффективность

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

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Abstract

This innovative course explores the critical intersection of business management and sustainability in today’s rapidly evolving global marketplace. It equips future business leaders with the essential knowledge and skills to navigate global challenges while driving sustainable development and creating long-term value. “Sustainable Business Management” delves into how purpose-driven organizations can act as agents of world benefit, addressing planetary ‘grand challenges’, such as climate change, inequality, and the social impacts of global supply chain practices. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate sustainable practices into core business strategies, operations, and decision-making processes, aligning with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The curriculum covers key topics, such as circular economy principles, stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility, and the paradigm of humanistic management. This approach focuses on protecting dignity and promoting well-being rather than just wealth acquisition, emphasizing the shift towards a net-zero economy. Through case studies, discussions, and practical projects students will develop a holistic mindset that combines ecoliteracy and systems thinking. Students will learn to analyze sustainability-related risks and opportunities, implement sustainable business models, and measure the triple bottom line impact of their decisions. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable innovations, enhance organizational resilience, and lead responsible businesses that contribute positively to both profit and the planet. Students will emerge prepared to implement ethical and responsible management practices, engage diverse stakeholders, and drive positive change in both local and global contexts. This course aims to nurture a new generation of conscientious business leaders capable of steering organizations towards higher purposes while addressing complex global issues. Students will be ready to navigate the complexities of sustainability, create competitive advantages in an increasingly conscious market environment, and contribute to making our planet a better place for living.

Learning Objectives

The course aims to make students familiar with sustainability aspects in various functional areas of a company's management.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students develop a solid understanding of the basic concepts and principles of sustainability, including its social, environmental, and economic dimensions.
Students recognize the urgent need for businesses to address sustainability issues and the potential benefits of doing so.
Students identify and prioritize the stakeholders relevant to the organization and understand their perspectives, needs, and expectations
Students understand the process of prioritizing materiality issues based on their potential risks and opportunities and aligning them with the organization's goals and values
Students integrate sustainability considerations into financial decision-making processes
Students analyze financial statements and data, conduct valuation assessments, and interpret ESG-related information
Students comduct the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and identify potential areas for improvement
Students apply sustainability certifications and standards, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), or B Corp certification
Students develop different communication strategies and techniques that organizations can use to effectively communicate their sustainability efforts
Students identify ethical considerations involved in sustainable communications
Students develop specific metrics and indicators used to measure sustainability performance
Students apply data collection methods, data management, and data analysis techniques
Students set performance targets, track indicators over time, and assess progress toward sustainability goals.

Course Contents

Topic 1. Introduction
Topic 2. Integration of sustainability into a corporate strategy
Topic 3. Sustainable Operations.
Topic 4. Sustainable HRM
Topic 5. Sustainable Marketing and Communications.
Topic 6. Sustainable Finance
Topic 7. Performance Tracking and Evaluation

Assessment Elements

Multiple choice test
Multiple choice test will be given in the lectures and/or seminars during the course. The test will be given using the StartExam platform and you must ensure you have access to this platform for the test, when required.
Written assignment
Four assignments (two written and two video) will also be given which must be completed and uploaded to the StartExam platform before the end of the module.
Video assignment
Four assignments (two written and two video) will also be given which must be completed and uploaded to the StartExam platform before the end of the module.
Multiple choice test
Multiple choice test will be given in the lectures and/or seminars during the course. The test will be given using the StartExam platform and you must ensure you have access to this platform for the test, when required.
Video assignment
Four assignments (two written and two video) will also be given which must be completed and uploaded to the StartExam platform before the end of the module.
Written assignment
Four assignments (two written and two video) will also be given which must be completed and uploaded to the StartExam platform before the end of the module.

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
0.2 * Multiple choice test + 0.2 * Multiple choice test + 0.2 * Video assignment + 0.1 * Video assignment + 0.1 * Written assignment + 0.2 * Written assignment

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Dirk Schoenmaker, & Willem Schramade. (2019). Principles of Sustainable Finance: Vol. First edition. OUP Oxford.
HALL, C. (2020). Learning Analytics : Using Talent Data to Improve Business Outcomes. Kogan Page.
Kokubu, K., & Nagasaka, Y. (2020). Sustainability Management And Business Strategy In Asia. World Scientific.
Principles of management : practicing ethics, responsibility, sustainability, Laasch, O., 2021
Schönborn, G., Berlin, C. 1981, Pinzone, M., Hanisch, C., Georgoulias, K., & Lanz, M. (2019). Why social sustainability counts: The impact of corporate social sustainability culture on financial success. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 17, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2018.08.008
Sustainability assessment : a rating system framework for best practices, Poveda, C. A., 2017

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Collings, D. G., Mellahi, K., & Cascio, W. F. (2019). Global Talent Management and Performance in Multinational Enterprises: A Multilevel Perspective. Journal of Management, 45(2), 540–566. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206318757018

Authors

Roulins Tomas Edvard

Course Syllabus