Global sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Be sustainable from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

The nature of sustainability

What is sustainability, why, and when did the concept develop, and why is it of crucial strategic importance for business? This week you will be introduced to the drivers that have given rise to the concept of sustainability; the diverse range of ethical, social, and environmental issues it contains; and the main global definitions, goals and frameworks of sustainable development. To provide context for the above, you will start by reviewing contemporary examples, from some of the world's most powerful corporations, of how neglect of sustainability has resulted in massive financial, reputational, and social costs.

Concerns with business impacts

What is it about the history and practices of business that have given rise to wider societal concerns regarding its impact on the sustainability of our world? Focussing upon three major developments – i) industrialisation, ii) neoliberalism, and iii) globalisation – this week you will examine the root of concerns with business impact on areas such as environmental pollution, inequality, and the quality of working lives. Understanding some of this wider critical context is an essential foundation if businesses and business leaders are to retain or gain the trust of the community, consumers, regulators, and employees.

Strategic responses to sustainability

Given the complexities of the relationship between business and sustainability, what are the key sustainable strategies that businesses can employ? You will be introduced to three such strategies this week, organised around: i) business ethics, ii) corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate philanthropy, and iii) natural or green capitalism. Through an examination of contemporary business practices, you will see that strategies in the above areas may still signal a variety of value positions by businesses, including those proactively committed to, reactive to, and resistant of sustainability.

The difficulty of being ethical in organisations

Why is it that some business leaders may knowingly engage in strategies that are unsustainable? Is there something particular to formal organisational structures that make them spaces where being ethical can seem the hardest thing to do? This week we consider important social scientific research that examines the dynamics by which such things as organisational hierarchy, too close an identification with work roles, a focus on procedures and instrumental outcomes, even relations of authority, can dramatically inhibit or subvert our sense of ethical responsibility in organisations.

New and emerging sustainable business strategies

Much of the strategy field concentrates upon the strategies of large, profit maximising, corporations. Some of the most interesting and innovating strategies however may emerge across different types of organisation and context. This week you will examine some of these – concentrating upon the areas of social entrepreneurship, micro-finance, public-private partnerships, and examples of smaller businesses embedding sustainability in their local communities. There is considerable promise with some of the above strategies and practices, but as we shall examine, even here we still need to be attentive to tensions and open to critique in terms of how sustainability is achieved.

Taking sustainable strategy forward

How can you transfer knowledge about sustainable strategies into effective practices in the business domain? This week directs you to resources that you can draw upon to seek to develop more sustainable strategy in your own current and future organisational roles. Organised around industry, firm, and individual levels, these lessons considers international best practice on corporate governance systems, global business sustainability compacts, guidance on responsible supply chain practices, and research on raising ethical issues in a business setting.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides tangible strategies to achieve the balance between economic prosperity and social responsibility

Suitable for learners seeking strategies to mitigate the sustainability-related risks and challenges faced by businesses

In-depth exploration of the concept of sustainability, its history, and its relevance to business

Course materials include video lectures, quizzes, discussion prompts, and written assessments

Introduces a range of sustainable business strategies, including business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and green capitalism

Examines the role of business in addressing environmental pollution, inequality, and the quality of working lives

Reviews summary

Sustainability for global entities

Learners say that this course largely positive covers a wide range of topics related to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Key concepts include UN Sustainable Development Goals, ethics, and practical strategies for implementing sustainable practices in organizations. Engaging assignments including quizzes and discussions reinforce learning.

Course includes practical case studies.

"Excellent course on Global Sustainability and CSR. Great videos with real corporate case studies."

"A great course on understanding the concepts of sustainability and sustainable practices followed in various organizations. Case studies were more supportive and lectures are brief and succinct."

Course provides practical strategies for implementing sustainability in organizations.

"This course brings me to a new horizon of sustainability: how to act ethically in organizations, strategies to be sustainable, and good practices of sustainability that have been implemented."

Professor is knowledgeable and presents material in an engaging way.

"The instructor has a sound and clear oratory, the materials are offered in a variety of forms (videos, papers, articles, Tedtalks etc), and the practices and assessment tasks really made me internalize what I've learned. And I've learned a lot! Great course!"

"Absolutely loved the course: the content, resources and the way Associate Professor Edward Wray-Bliss presented it. Valuable, interesting insights that you feel you can really put into practice at the workplace. Thank you!"

Well structured course with excellent materials.

"This course guides you from understanding the basics... to give strategies and action plans that can be followed that are applicable to individuals at different levels of influence in businesses."

"This course opens your mind about what troubles come to the environment and soceity at large as a result of unsustainable behaviour of corporations and progresses to give a framework that can assist any manager to direct their organisation from such behaviour."

Course uses complex terminology that may be difficult to understand for some learners.

"there is no course material. it is sometime difficult to understand the teacher. contents seems very political"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Global sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Be sustainable with these activities:

Explore Google Earth

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Gain familiarity with an essential tool for geographical exploration and analysis.

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Follow tutorials to navigate and manipulate Google Earth.
Explore different geographical locations.

Discuss current events related to globalization

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Engage in critical discussions to broaden your perspective and deepen your understanding.

Browse courses on Globalization

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Read articles or watch news segments.
Meet with peers to discuss and exchange views.

The Geography of Thought by Richard Nisbett

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Expand your understanding of cultural differences and their impact on cognition.

View Thinking on Amazon

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Read chapters on cultural variations in perception, memory, and reasoning.
Summarize key arguments and evidence.
Reflect on implications for global communication and collaboration.

One other activity

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Analyze a global issue using GIS data

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Apply your knowledge to a real-world problem and enhance your analytical and technical skills.

Browse courses on GIS

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Identify a global issue of interest.
Gather and analyze relevant GIS data.
Create maps, charts, and other visualizations.
Write a report summarizing your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Global sustainability and corporate social responsibility: Be sustainable will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Sustainability Officer

This course is highly relevant for aspiring Chief Sustainability Officers, who are responsible for leading and managing sustainability initiatives within their organizations. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, the latest trends and best practices in sustainability management, and the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating sustainability into business strategy. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead sustainability initiatives and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and responsible business environment.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

This course aligns perfectly with the role of a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, who is tasked with developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies within their organizations. The course covers the key principles of CSR, the benefits and challenges associated with CSR initiatives, and the various tools and techniques that are used to measure and report on CSR performance. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage CSR initiatives and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and socially responsible business environment.

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Sustainability Manager

This course would be a valuable asset for aspiring Sustainability Managers, who are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies within their organizations. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, industry best practices, and the challenges associated with integrating sustainability into business operations. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage sustainability initiatives and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Sustainability Analyst

This course would be a valuable asset for those aspiring to become Sustainability Analysts, who are responsible for analyzing and reporting on the sustainability performance of organizations. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, the various frameworks and tools used to measure sustainability performance, and the challenges associated with integrating sustainability into business operations. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively analyze and report on sustainability performance and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Environmental Engineer

This course would be beneficial for those aspiring to become Environmental Engineers, who are responsible for designing and implementing solutions to environmental problems. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, environmental regulations, and the latest technologies used to address environmental issues. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively design and implement sustainable solutions and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Sustainability Reporter

This course would be a valuable asset for aspiring Sustainability Reporters, who are responsible for communicating the sustainability performance of organizations to stakeholders. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, sustainability reporting frameworks, and the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainability reporting. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively develop and communicate sustainability reports and contribute to the creation of a more transparent and accountable business environment.

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Business Ethics Consultant

For those interested in a career as a Business Ethics Consultant, this course provides a strong foundation as it covers the principles of business ethics, the challenges and opportunities associated with ethical decision-making in business, and the latest trends and best practices in business ethics. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advise organizations on ethical issues and contribute to the creation of a more ethical and sustainable business environment.

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Social Entrepreneur

For those seeking to make a positive impact on society through entrepreneurship, this course provides a strong foundation as it covers the principles of sustainability, social innovation, and the challenges and opportunities associated with starting a social enterprise. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement sustainable business models and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and just society.

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Sustainability Educator

For those passionate about educating and inspiring others about sustainability, this course provides a strong foundation as it covers the principles of sustainability, effective teaching methodologies, and the challenges and opportunities associated with teaching sustainability. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and deliver engaging and impactful sustainability education programs and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants are in great demand as organizations strive to implement sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact, and meet the expectations of increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. This course can be useful for those aspiring to become Sustainability Consultants as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the key principles of sustainability as well as their implications for organizations. The course also covers the various tools and techniques that are used to develop and implement sustainability strategies, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to make a career in this growing field.

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Environmental Lawyer

As businesses face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices and comply with environmental regulations, the demand for Environmental Lawyers is expected to grow. This course provides a strong foundation for those interested in becoming Environmental Lawyers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern sustainability. The course also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing sustainable practices, which would be valuable knowledge for those seeking to specialize in environmental law.

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Corporate Lawyer

This course would be beneficial for aspiring Corporate Lawyers, who are responsible for providing legal advice to corporations on a wide range of issues. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, corporate law, and the challenges and opportunities associated with legal compliance in a sustainable business environment. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advise corporations on legal issues related to sustainability and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and responsible business environment.

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Public Policy Analyst

This course would be beneficial for aspiring Public Policy Analysts, who are responsible for researching, analyzing, and developing public policies. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, the policy-making process, and the challenges and opportunities associated with developing sustainable public policies. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively analyze and develop public policies that promote sustainability and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.

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Nonprofit Manager

This course would be useful for those aspiring to become Nonprofit Managers, who are responsible for leading and managing nonprofit organizations. The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of sustainability, nonprofit management, and the challenges and opportunities associated with managing nonprofit organizations. By completing this course, individuals will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage nonprofit organizations and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and just society.

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Environmental Scientist

With the growing awareness about sustainability, businesses will require more Environmental Scientists to help them attain the necessary regulatory requirements to maintain compliance and global standards. This course may be useful for those interested in becoming Environmental Scientists as it will provide them with a strong foundation in the principles of sustainability, help them keep abreast of the latest environmental regulations, and provide an understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility. This would enable them to contribute to the development of sustainable strategies within organizations, ensuring that they meet their environmental obligations and contribute to creating a more sustainable future.

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