Sustainable Business Enterprises from Coursera

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/.

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.

Module 1: Sustainability and Consumption

This first module begins with an introduction to sustainability. The various dimensions of sustainability are examined, with particular focus on how environmental sustainability is relevant to business. The module provides an overview of sustainable business practices through discussion and examples. Unsustainable consumption and motivations for sustainable consumer behavior will be covered. You will do a parallel project on the same topic as in the first course, but for higher-income segments in emerging markets or advanced economies. The module will focus on finalizing a specific need, geography, and beneficiaries for this project.

Module 2: Sustainable Product Design and Market Research

This module focuses on understanding how to conduct market research in the arena of sustainability. It also covers how to develop sustainable products. The bottom-up approach in terms of immersion, emersion, and design as applied to sustainable business enterprise is covered. A parallel project focuses on designing a core and augmented solution and an ecosystem.

Module 3: Sustainable Value Chains and Communications

This module covers how sustainable offerings are delivered and communicated. It also covers topics in sustainable finance and accounting. A case analysis is used to bring out unique issues with sustainability and business. The parallel project involves the final presentation of a problem, opportunity, solution, ecosystem, enterprise plan, and outcomes.

Module 4: BOTTOM-UP ENTERPRISE

This module summarizes the course on sustainable business enterprises focusing on business, environmental, and social sustainability. It then covers a bottom-up perspective on emerging markets. It also summarizes the two courses on sustainable global business horizons focusing on global challenges in business, with particular focus on poverty and the environment. Finally, the module covers the unique approach employed here in terms of bottom-up immersion, design, innovation, and enterprise. A parallel project stream compares and contrasts the enterprise plans in the two courses and the learning from focusing on subsistence marketplaces for the purposes of upward innovation, i.e., how innovation for subsistence marketplaces influences innovation from subsistence marketplaces.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Sustainable enterprise well-received

Learners say that Sustainable Business Enterprises is a well-prepared course that they describe as engaging and insightful. While some learners say that the content can be repetitive, many found the comprehensive assignments and practical information on sustainability to be particularly useful. Students say Professor Viswanathan did a great job teaching the course, especially as a follow-up to Sustainable Innovation in Subsistence Marketplaces.

Students say the assignments are comprehensive and helpful for learning.

"assignments at every level that help to gauge better learning"

"The content was easy to grasp and really is fruitful in further learning endeavors"

Learners say the course is engaging and insightful.

"A very enriching and interactive course"

"Very useful and insightful"

"I really enjoyed learning"

Learners say the course provides useful, practical information on sustainability.

"Excellent course, i really enjoyed it!!Very useful on a daily basis"

"This course equips me with a practical framework for identifying"

Professor Viswanathan is well-received by learners.

"Prof. Viswanathan did a great job"

"Excellent course, I really enjoyed it"

Some students say that the course content is repetitive.

"The course is repetitive"

"same thing over and over and over and over and over again"

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

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This activity will provide you with an introduction to the concepts of sustainable business.

Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices

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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

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This activity will provide you with the foundational knowledge of the concepts of this course.

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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

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This activity will provide you with access to valuable insights from experienced professionals.

Browse courses on Sustainable Business

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Identify potential mentors within your network or through online platforms
Reach out to potential mentors and request their guidance

Five other activities

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Attend workshops on sustainable business practices

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This activity will expose you to a variety of perspectives on sustainable business.

Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices

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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

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This activity will help you engage the concepts of the course with others.

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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

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This activity will provide you with practical experience in the field of sustainability.

Browse courses on Environmental Sustainability

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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

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This activity will allow you to apply the concepts of the course to a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on Sustainable Business Practices

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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

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This activity will help you better retain the information you learn by organizing it in a structured way.

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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