About this Course

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The achievement of a balanced economic, social and environmental development - as expressed in the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development - is recognized as one of the major challenges humanity is facing today. What is less clear is whether and how organizations can generate business opportunities and value for their stakeholders while tackling such challenges. 
In this course, thought leaders in a wide variety of management and economics fields illustrate how to assess and seize the opportunities offered by these global emergencies. They will offer new ways to understand the purpose and the logic of success of the business enterprise in this new context, providing ideas and examples on how to manage the transition process to realize the value creation potential from corporate sustainability for all involved stakeholders.

Learning objectives
The course will allow you to:
- Understand What the macroeconomic and microeconomic consequences of both climate changes, poverty, hunger, gender or race discriminations, lack of communication between the State, Civil Societies, and businesses, etc are.
- Understand Why it is important for businesses to tackle sustainability issues in order to create more and better business opportunities;
- Learn How each individual, organization and system can start to analyze its behaviors and change towards more sustainable practices and models.

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

22%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

17%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.48/5 (91 Ratings)

Maurizio Zollo

Dean’s Chaired Professor in Strategy and Sustainability

Management and Technology Department

15,606 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

22%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

17%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating93%(2,103 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Understanding the Sustainability Challenge: the Systemic Level

This section will introduce the course and frame the complex set of issues that the course aims to tackle. You will learn about some of the most important global sustainability challenges within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how to reflect on their implications for business.

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 69 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

Welcome to the Course – Maurizio Zollo4m

Short-Termism and its Long-term Consequences – Maurizio Zollo3m

Short-Termism and its Long-term Consequences: Introduction to the Fishbank Simulation – Maurizio Zollo4m

Understanding the Tragedy of the Commons – Maurizio Zollo5m

A New, Research-based, Approach to the Development of a Sustainability Mindset – Maurizio Zollo (optional: meditation podcasts in the Download section)12m

The Sustainable Development Goals and their Relevance for Business – Valentina Mele6m

Climate Change and its Economic Implications – Valentina Bosetti6m

Industrial Ecology – Fabio Iraldo8m

Poverty and Income Inequalities – Eliana La Ferrara, Maurizio Zollo11m

Gender Equality and Sustainability – Paola Profeta6m

2 readings

Beyond What and Why: Understanding Organizational Evolution toward Sustainable Enterprise Models10m

Additional Materials10m

1 practice exercise

Week 130m

Week

2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Understanding the Sustainability Challenge: the Business Level

In this section you will learn the core concepts of corporate sustainability and the key dimensions that distinguish a sustainable organization. Instructors will discuss the foundations of the stakeholder-based view of the firm, and the logic for and against the primacy of shareholder value maximization as guiding purpose for firms' existence. We will then explore sustainability challenges and opportunities for organizations across some of the key dimensions of business, and conclude with a roundtable discussion on the nature of the sustainable enterprise.

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 113 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

What is a Sustainable Enterprise? (part 1) – Maurizio Zollo10m

What is a Sustainable Enterprise? (part 2) – Maurizio Zollo10m

The Purpose of the Corporation – Nicola Misani5m

The Stakeholder-based View of the Firm – Nicola Misani6m

The Shareholder-Stakeholder Debate – Nicolai J. Foss, Maurizio Zollo28m

Corporate Governance – Xing Kelly Chen4m

Business Ethics & Sustainability – Maurizio Zollo, Celia Moore4m

Responsible Leadership – Massimo Magni3m

International Implementation of Sustainability – Anne Jacqueminet10m

Roundtable on the Nature of the Sustainable Enterprise – Maurizio Zollo, Christiane Bode, Armando Cirrincione, Anne Jacqueminet, Michael Russo, Miles Bernard Gietzmann29m

2 readings

Additional Materials10m

Slide set Week 210m

1 practice exercise

Week 210m

Week

3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Why Corporate Sustainability? Assessing the Strategic Opportunity

This module consists of two different parts. In the first part we will explore why corporate sustainability could be paramount for corporate success. In the second part, you will learn about successful cases of organizations focusing on a business model designed around sustainability principles and mindsets.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 114 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

What is the Business Case for Sustainability? – Anne Jacqueminet7m

Social Impact and Employee Preferences – Christiane Bode5m

Social Enterprise: Definitions and Examples – Rakhi Mehra6m

Creating a Sustainable Enterprise from Scratch: a Case Study – Rakhi Mehra8m

Impact Investing – Audrey Selian, Rakhi Mehra22m

Impact Assessment – Rakhi Mehra, Eric Ezechieli14m

Circular Economy: The Aquafil Case – Salvo Testa, Giulio Bonazzi22m

Responsibly-Innovative Startups: Re-Bello & Wrad Cases – Francesca Romana Rinaldi20m

Cross Sector Partnerships - Lilach Trabelsi5m

4 readings

The Impact of Corporate Sustainability on Organizational Processes and Performance10m

Investing in the Sustainable Future10m

Additional Materials10m

Slide set Week 310m

1 practice exercise

Week 330m

Week

4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Seizing the Strategic Opportunity: Managing Sustainability Transitions across Business Functions

In this module, you will learn to assess the challenges related to the management of the integration of sustainability-related processes in business organizations. This transformational change challenge is assessed across some of the key business functions and will allow you to frame and address similar challenges and opportunities within your own business context.

3 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 93 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

12 videos

How to Manage the Transition towards Sustainable Enterprise – Maurizio Zollo13m

Integrating Sustainability in Corporate Strategy – Maurizio Zollo10m

Sustainable Corporate Growth Strategies – Maurizio Zollo12m

Governance: Institutionalizing Sustainability – Xing Kelly Chen5m

Accounting and Controlling – Ariela Caglio6m

Supply Chain: Main Problems – MJ. Ni. ilknur Tekin3m

Supply Chain Focus Pills: Risks in Fashion Supply Chain – Iolanda D’Amato1m

Supply Chain Case: the YKK Group Case – Iolanda D'Amato15m

HR Strategy and Management – Silvia Bagdadli5m

Sales & Marketing – Armando Cirrincione5m

R&D Innovation: a Framework – Nicoletta Corrocher8m

R&D Innovation: Technological Change and Innovation – MJ. Ni. ilknur Tekin3m

2 readings

Additional Materials10m

Slide set Week 410m

1 practice exercise

Week 430m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

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Corporate Sustainability. Understanding and Seizing the Strategic Opportunity