Course Syllabus

Sustainable Business Strategy

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Semester & Location:

Fall 2019 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Business, Environmental Studies, Sustainability

Faculty Member:

Adrian Owen Mongan -

adrian.mongan@outlook.com

Program Director:

Susanne Goul Hovmand - sgh@dis.dk

Program Coordinator: 

Alex Berlin - ab@dis.dk

Program Assistant:

Marissa Buffo - mbu@dis.dk

Time & Place:

Mondays & Thursdays 10.05 - 11.25, F24-503

 

Course Description

Note:  This course is targeted toward both the business student and the sustainability/environmental studies student.  It is also appropriate for any student simply interested in the development of sustainable businesses.

For businessessustainability is a powerful and defining idea: a sustainable corporation is one that creates profit for its shareholders while protecting the environment and improving the lives of those with whom it interacts.

Our planet is challenged by climate change, a growing energy crisis, and resource scarcity - along with economic re-structuring. The sheer scale of the challenge, along with the nature of emerging business opportunities (e.g. UN SDGs), mean that leading players are now adopting more transformative models – integrating sustainability principles into the heart of everything they do for long-term, sustainable business success (e.g. Unilever, IKEA).

Furthermore, a new generation of start-up enterprises are being established for the specific purpose of meeting the great challenges of our time; they are building new, more sustainable business models that are disrupting markets for good (e.g. circular economy). These are exciting times.

Through this course, we  will take a look at some for worlds most sustainable companies and how they have taken a fully integrated approach to deliver sustainable business success in a rapidly changing world.  We will focus geographically on companies in Denmark, Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe – while also conducting comparative analysis to businesses in the United States.

We will have guest lectures from the worlds most sustainable company, the worlds most sustainable energy company, the world's leading supply chain company, and many others including up and coming Danish Start-ups.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the environmental, social, and economic drivers and risks impacting on companies – along with the major business opportunities for integrating sustainability factors within the core business strategy.
  • Understand the latest big-impact topics, including how businesses can meet the Circular Economy challenge.
  • Develop insights on sustainable business analysis, and strategy formulation.
  • Understand and contrast the differences in strategies and context, between Europe and the United States.
  • Enhance your critical thinking skills.
  • Develop your professional writing and presentation skills.
  • Enhance your career potential and capabilities – towards becoming an effective business leader and/or change agent, in supporting the necessary transition towards a sustainable economy.

 

Required Texts

Custom readings and cases for each class are available on the DIS Canvas system.

 

Faculty Member: Adrian Owen Mongan

Founder & CEO, Imeall – an international consultancy/think-tank focused on economics, strategy and communication. Adrian has worked with a wide range of businesses, large and small, in all sectors across Europe, North America and Asia.

Adrian also lectures at Copenhagen Business School and Birkerod International Gymnasium and delivers inspirational keynote speeches.

Adrian holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, and an M.A. and B.A. in Economics from University College Dublin, Ireland. With DIS since 2015.

 

Contact

Adrian Owen Mongan - adrian.mongan@outlook.com

Course Format 

This course is structured in six key parts to enable the student to navigate our unique journey:

Part 1: A New Business Landscape.

Part 2: Towards Sustainable Markets.

Part 3: New Models of Business Success.

Part 4: Follow the Money!

Part 5: The Business of Transformation.

Part 6: Embedding our Knowledge.

    This course is taught with varied class formats, including:

    • Discussion Classes – Based on assigned readings, these classes will combine lecture with class discussion introduce new material, along with group exercises to test and embed learning.
    • Student Group Sustainability Challenge Presentations – Students will collaborate in group projects culminating in team-based presentations.

    In each class we will align with concepts on other sustainability courses, but will translate into our business focus – e.g. how to translate planetary boundaries into the business context.

    • Key concepts will be woven through the whole course e.g. circular economy.
    • Engaging with a range of different sectors at strategic points, through the whole course.

     

    Grading

    To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, you must complete all of the assigned work.  This course has no exams.  Instead, student evaluation focuses on your writing of assigned papers, your presentation of your white paper project, and your engagement in this class.

    Grading is broken down as follows:

    Intellectual engagement/Class participation 15%  (15 points)
    White Paper (7-10 pages) + Prospectus 35%  (35 points)
    Team Presentation of White Paper 20%  (20 points)
    2 Case Briefs/Short Papers 30%  (30 points)


    Points
                                       Grade
    93-100                                   A
    90-93                                     A-
    87-90                                     B+
    83-87                                     B
    80-83                                     B-
    77-80                                     C+
    73-77                                     C
    70-73                                     C-
    67-70                                     D+
    63-67                                     D
    60-63                                     D-
    59 and below                         F

    Evaluation

    Intellectual Engagement/Class Participation (15 points):

    This course depends upon robust engagement and discussion.  Your ability to contribute to meaningful inquiry in a group setting is critical to your future career, regardless of your field.  Strong intellectual engagement includes analyzing, questioning, and discussing the issues.  The thoughtfulness and depth of your observations matter more than the quantity of your comments.  You can demonstrate your engagement in the classroom, on our field studies, in working on team projects, and in other course communications.  This portion of your grade is based on my qualitative assessment of your engagement with the material.

    Case Briefs/Short Papers (30 points):

    For two case studies or other topics, you will write a short paper or memorandum (typically 2-page maximum).  Each paper/memo is 15 points. 

    White Paper (35 points):

    Each student will research one company, writing a White Paper of approximately 7-10 pages.  You will be provided a list of Danish and European companies from which to choose (three students per company).   Operating in green industries, or in making sustainability transitions, these companies are pursuing business strategies leveraging off of environmental, social, as well as economic issues.  In your White Paper, you will research the company and its industry, evaluating the business opportunities and risks faced by a business focused on solutions to environmental challenges. The White Paper will include three deliverables:

    • Prospectus – You will submit a 2-page Prospectus describing your company and its industry. Include your initial outline for the White Paper as well as a list of citations for sources you will use for your research. (5 points)
    • White Paper – You will submit your White Paper approximately two weeks before the end of the semester. Paper length is approximately 7-10 pages, plus attached exhibits such as charts, graphs, diagrams and tables. (10 points)
    • Revised White Paper – Based upon my comments and suggestions on your initial submission, you will submit a revised White Paper during finals week. (20 points)

    Please note that one of the course objectives is to develop your skills in writing effectively in a professional or business setting.  Professional writing is quite different than academic writing.  The quality of your writing will be evaluated as part of your grade on written assignments.

    Team Presentation of White Paper (20 points):

    While writing the White Paper is an individual assignment, each company will be researched by a group of around three students.  Your team will make a formal presentation during a class at the end of the semester.  This will include a presentation of 15-20 minutes including questions and discussion.  The team is expected to utilize multimedia tools in the presentation, including PowerPoint, videos, and so on.

    In addition to effective professional writing, another course objective is to develop your skills in delivering excellent professional presentations.  Application of presentation techniques will be evaluated as part of your grade on in-class presentations.

    Academic Regulations  

    Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

     DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

    Policies

    Arrival to Class/Lateness – Class will begin promptly at 10:05.  Please arrive on time and ready to start class at 10:05.  Late arrivals disrupt the flow of the class.  Repeated lateness will reduce the student’s grade for Engagement/Participation.

    Late Papers/Assignments – All papers and assignments have a fixed due date.  If you are unable to meet a due date, you must contact Professor Townsend in advance to discuss any issues.

    Use of Cell Phones: Your cell phone should be stored away in your backpack or purse during class. Any use of your cell phone is disrespectful of your professor and fellow students.

    Use of Laptops or Tablets: Only allowed for note taking, and real-time research within the class. Definitely no facebook, chat, or zoning-out.

    Course Summary:

    Date Details Due