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Sustainable Business Enterprises

Madhu Viswanathan

This course will explore current challenges and opportunities facing firms in the area of environmental sustainability. It will begin with an introduction to sustainability, with a particular focus on how environmental sustainability is relevant to business. Topics such as unsustainable consumption/consumer behavior, market research on sustainable product design , and sustainable value chains and communications will be covered. We will also cover the bottom-up approach in terms of immersion, emersion, and design as applied to sustainable business enterprise. The course concludes with a summary of insights on global challenges in business, with particular focus on poverty and the environment.

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This course will explore current challenges and opportunities facing firms in the area of environmental sustainability. It will begin with an introduction to sustainability, with a particular focus on how environmental sustainability is relevant to business. Topics such as unsustainable consumption/consumer behavior, market research on sustainable product design , and sustainable value chains and communications will be covered. We will also cover the bottom-up approach in terms of immersion, emersion, and design as applied to sustainable business enterprise. The course concludes with a summary of insights on global challenges in business, with particular focus on poverty and the environment.

You will be able to:

• Understand the importance of sustainability for business

• Analyze specific topics including consumer behavior, market research, product design, value chains and communications using the sustainability lens in business

• Design solutions and develop enterprise plans for sustainable business initiatives

• Apply the bottom-up approach for sustainable business initiatives in varied contexts

This course is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program at https://degrees.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/idegrees/.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines a wide variety of environmental sustainability topics relevant to business
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their expertise in environmental sustainability
Develops skills in analyzing and addressing environmental sustainability challenges in business
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of environmental sustainability in business
Requires students to engage in practical exercises and projects, applying environmental sustainability principles to real-world business scenarios

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Reviews summary

Sustainability in business with unique focus

According to learners, this course provides a great overview of how sustainability principles can be integrated into core business functions. Many found the focus on emerging markets and the 'bottom-up' framework to be particularly insightful and offer a unique perspective. Students appreciated gaining practical tools and strategies. While the topic is highly relevant and the assignments were challenging but relevant for application, a common point of feedback is that the instructions for the project steps were a little vague and the course lacks the depth needed for true expertise, functioning more as an introduction. Some also noted minimal support in the discussion forums and that some lectures felt dry.
Focus on bottom-up & emerging markets is unique
"The focus on emerging markets was particularly insightful, offering a unique perspective often missed in other courses."
"The 'bottom-up' framework is practical and well-explained."
"I gained practical tools and strategies I could apply immediately to my work."
"The 'bottom-up' approach for emerging markets is a powerful concept."
Covers key sustainable business topics
"This course provided a great overview of how sustainability principles can be integrated into core business functions."
"A solid course covering important ground. It introduces key concepts like sustainable value chains and product design effectively."
"I appreciated learning about sustainable consumer behavior and marketing."
"It covers the basics well..."
Some lectures dry, minimal forum support
"Some lectures felt dry, and the flow between modules wasn't always smooth."
"Support in the discussion forums was minimal."
"Peer review for assignments wasn't very helpful."
Content is introductory, not deeply specialized
"Some modules felt a bit introductory, and I wished for more depth in certain areas."
"It's okay as an overview, but don't expect deep dives."
"It lacks the depth needed for true expertise..."
"...some might find it too high-level if they are looking for highly specialized knowledge."
Projects are relevant but instructions are vague
"Assignments were challenging but very relevant to applying the concepts learned."
"Sometimes the instructions for the project steps were a little vague, leading to some confusion..."
"...the assignments... didn't always build logically or had unclear expectations."
"The assignments were the weakest part; they were hard to understand and grade criteria weren't always clear."

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 Sustainable Business Enterprises with these activities:
Follow online tutorials on sustainable business practices
This activity will provide you with an introduction to the concepts of sustainable business.
Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on Coursera or YouTube
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts
Review the book 'Environmental Sustainability for Business' by Madhu Viswanathan
This activity will provide you with the foundational knowledge of the concepts of this course.
Show steps
  • Purchase the book 'Environmental Sustainability for Business' by Madhu Viswanathan.
  • Read the book thoroughly and take notes on the key concepts
  • Summarize the key concepts of the book in your own words
Seek out mentors who have experience in sustainable business
This activity will provide you with access to valuable insights from experienced professionals.
Browse courses on Sustainable Business
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors within your network or through online platforms
  • Reach out to potential mentors and request their guidance
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend workshops on sustainable business practices
This activity will expose you to a variety of perspectives on sustainable business.
Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
  • Search for upcoming workshops in your area
  • Register for and attend the workshop
  • Take notes and engage in discussions during the workshop
Collaborate with fellow learners on problem sets
This activity will help you engage the concepts of the course with others.
Show steps
  • Reach out to classmates and arrange a meeting
  • Organize roles and prepare the discussion topics
  • Attend the meeting and actively participate in the discussion
Volunteer with an organization that focuses on environmental sustainability
This activity will provide you with practical experience in the field of sustainability.
Browse courses on Environmental Sustainability
Show steps
  • Identify organizations that align with your interests
  • Reach out to the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend volunteer orientation and training
  • Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to the organization's mission
Develop a plan for implementing sustainable practices in a business
This activity will allow you to apply the concepts of the course to a real-world scenario.
Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices
Show steps
  • Identify a business that is interested in implementing sustainable practices
  • Research sustainable practices that are relevant to the business
  • Develop a plan that outlines the steps that the business can take to implement the sustainable practices
  • Present the plan to the business and get their feedback
Compile your notes, assignments, and readings into a single document
This activity will help you better retain the information you learn by organizing it in a structured way.
Show steps
  • Gather all your notes, assignments, and readings
  • Organize the materials into a logical order
  • Create a table of contents or index

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Business Enterprises will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants advise businesses on how to operate in an environmentally sustainable way. This course provides the foundation for understanding the importance of sustainability for business, analyzing specific topics including sustainable product design, value chains and communications, and designing solutions for sustainable business initiatives. The course's focus on both environmental sustainability and business practices makes it particularly relevant for those seeking a career as a Sustainability Consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers work to solve environmental problems, including pollution control and natural resource management. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the environmental challenges that businesses face and how to address them through sustainable business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design and value chains is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for their organizations. This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to understand the importance of sustainability for business, analyze specific topics including consumer behavior, market research, and product design, and design solutions for sustainable business initiatives. The course's focus on both environmental sustainability and business practices makes it particularly relevant for those seeking a career as a Sustainability Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analysts research, analyze, and report on environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of sustainability and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as a Sustainability Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility strategies for their organizations. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of corporate social responsibility and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and work to solve environmental problems. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the environmental challenges that businesses face and how to address them through sustainable business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design and value chains is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Scientist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analysts research, analyze, and report on environmental policy issues. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental policy and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Policy Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educators teach people about environmental issues and how to protect the environment. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental education and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Educator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator
Environmental Journalist
Environmental Journalists write and report on environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental journalism and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Journalist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Journalist
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers represent clients in environmental cases. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental law and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Lawyer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Planner
Environmental Planners develop plans to protect the environment. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental planning and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Planner.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economists study the economic aspects of environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental economics and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Economist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientists study the health effects of environmental pollution. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental health science and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Health Scientist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental GIS Analyst
Environmental GIS Analysts use geographic information systems (GIS) to study environmental issues. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental GIS and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental GIS Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental GIS Analyst
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Environmental Compliance Specialists help businesses comply with environmental regulations. This course provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles of environmental compliance and how to apply them to business practices. The course's coverage of sustainable product design, value chains, and communications is particularly relevant for those seeking a career as an Environmental Compliance Specialist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Compliance Specialist

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Sustainable Business Enterprises.
Cover image
Competitive Advantage of Nations
Save
Argues that businesses can gain a competitive advantage by investing in environmental sustainability. It provides a framework for businesses to develop and implement sustainable strategies.
Competitive Advantage of Nations
Paperback
Check
Competitive Advantage of Nations
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Designing for Sustainability
Save
Provides a practical guide to designing sustainable products and services. It covers topics such as life cycle assessment, materials selection, and end-of-life planning.
Designing for Sustainability
Paperback
Check
Designing for Sustainability
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Greener Marketing
Save
Provides a guide to marketing sustainable products and services. It covers topics such as greenwashing, sustainable branding, and social marketing.
Greener Marketing
Paperback
$$
Greener Marketing
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Rethinking Education for Sustainable Development
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of sustainability. It covers topics such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.
Rethinking Education for Sustainable Development:...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
New Age of Sustainable Capitalism
Save
Argues that businesses can profit by serving the needs of the poor. It provides examples of businesses that are successfully doing so.
New Age of Sustainable Capitalism
Paperback
Check
New Age of Sustainable Capitalism
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Sixth Extinction (10th Anniversary Edition)
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of extinctions. It argues that we are currently experiencing a sixth mass extinction, and that this extinction is caused by human activity.
The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition)
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
The Future of Capitalism
Save
Argues that capitalism is facing a number of challenges, including environmental degradation, inequality, and technological change. It discusses the possible futures of capitalism and what we can do to shape the future of the system.
The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties
Kindle Edition
$$
(Deutsch) Sozialer Kapitalismus!: Mein Manifest gegen den...
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) The Future of Capitalism: Facing the New Anxieties...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Post-Growth Living
Save
Provides a new framework for thinking about economics. It argues that we need to move beyond the traditional focus on GDP and instead focus on creating a sustainable and just economy.
Post-Growth Living: For an Alternative Hedonism
Paperback
$$
Post-Growth Living: For an Alternative Hedonism
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Drawdown
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the solutions to climate change. It covers topics such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed...
Paperback
$$
(Deutsch) Drawdown - der Plan: Wie wir die Erderwärmung...
Kindle Edition
$$
Drawdown. Comment inverser le cours du...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Covid-19: The Great Reset
Save
Argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity to reset the global economy and create a more sustainable and just future.
COVID-19: The Great Reset
Paperback
$$
COVID-19: The Great Reset
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Report of the Expert Workshop on Aquaculture Co...
Save
Provides a guide to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. It covers topics such as poverty, hunger, health, education, and climate change.
Report of the Expert Workshop on Aquaculture Co...
Paperback
Check
Report of the Expert Workshop on Aquaculture Co...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Big Con
Save
Argues that we need to move beyond the traditional focus on profit and instead focus on creating a mission-driven economy. It provides examples of businesses that are successfully doing so.
The Big Con: How the Consulting Industry Weakens...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Circular Economy Handbook
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the circular economy. It covers topics such as product design, business models, and policy frameworks.
The Circular Economy Handbook
Paperback
Check
The Circular Economy Handbook
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructor
Madhu Viswanathan
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a collection called Global Challenges in Business. It's comprised of eight courses:
  1. Global Strategy I: How The Global Economy Works
  2. Теория игр (Game Theory)
  3. Global Challenges in Business Capstone
  4. Sustainable Business Enterprises (viewing)
  5. Global Strategy II: Doing Business in The Global Economy
  6. Sustainable Innovation for Subsistence Marketplaces
  7. Global Impact: Cultural Psychology
  8. Global Impact: Business Ethics
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines a wide variety of environmental sustainability topics relevant to business
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their expertise in environmental sustainability
Develops skills in analyzing and addressing environmental sustainability challenges in business
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of environmental sustainability in business
Requires students to engage in practical exercises and projects, applying environmental sustainability principles to real-world business scenarios
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