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.

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

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

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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