Transforming Business: Valuing social and human capital from Coursera

The aim of this course is to introduce business employees to social and human capital within the context of the Capitals Approach and human rights. It will provide guidance on how to get started in making positive impacts for people, planet, and society within the business decision-making context.

This course is an introductory course; no prior knowledge is needed. It is of particular relevance to those working in the domains of strategy, risk, finance, procurement, accountancy, auditing, human resources, and sustainability.

Drawing from the internationally recognized Social and Human Capital Protocol, the course provides a comprehensive introduction to social and human capital issues and their relationship with human rights and sustainability. Over four modules, the course will guide you through the process of understanding and integrating social and human capital issues into business DNA to improve people well-being and tackle inequalities.

In modules 1 and 2, you will be introduced to the concepts of social and human capital and human rights thinking, the Social and Human Capital Protocol, as well as the Capitals Approach. Here, you will be guided through the first stages and steps of conducting a capitals assessment.

In module 3, you will learn about impact and dependency pathways and how to measure and value those connected to your business activities. Finally, in module 4, using the Asses-Commit-Transform-Disclose framework you will learn about how to apply the findings of a social and human capital assessment to make commitments and transform business practices, and how to communicate and report on these elements.

The course features many real-world business examples, such as Natura, Novartis, Kering, Tony's Chocolonely, Jacobs, OFI, to demonstrate why and how other businesses have measured and valued social and capital, and the benefits this has brought to their strategy and management processes. These examples also show how companies make commitments to enact change and transform business practices, providing insight into different actions and commitments you can take.

By the end of the course, participants are expected to have learned about why it is essential to embed social and human capital into business decision-making, and how to get started with a capitals assessment.

This course has been developed by the Capitals Coalition in partnership with Nature^Squared, Social Value International, and the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the course

Why business cares about inequality: the key concepts of human rights and social and human capital

How to get started with measuring and valuing impacts and dependencies on social and human capital 

How to integrate social and human capital into business: commitments and transformation 

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the Capitals Approach, which provides a structured framework for integrating social and human capital into business decision-making

Taught by Tim Polaszek and Natalie Nicholles, who are recognized for their expertise in social and human capital

Provides clear guidance on assessing, measuring, and valuing social and human capital, giving learners a structured approach to understanding the impacts of their business operations

Emphasizes the importance of human rights and sustainability, aligning with the growing focus on responsible business practices

Introduces learners to the Social and Human Capital Protocol, an internationally recognized standard for measuring and reporting on social and human capital

Requires no prior knowledge, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

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 Transforming Business: Valuing social and human capital with these activities:

Review human rights law

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Start by reviewing the essential principles of human rights law to lay a solid foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Human Rights Law

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Read through UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Research key concepts and theories underpinning human rights
Review case studies or examples of human rights violations

Explore the Capitals Coalition online resources

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Supplement your learning by utilizing the comprehensive resources provided by the Capitals Coalition.

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Visit the Capitals Coalition website
Review the available resources, including toolkits, guidance documents, and case studies
Utilize the online platform for further exploration and networking

Join a study group

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Engage in regular discussions and knowledge sharing with peers to reinforce understanding of course concepts.

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Find or create a group of peers who are taking the same course
Set regular meeting times and establish goals for each session
Discuss course materials, share insights, and work on assignments together

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Practice stakeholder mapping

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Enhance your understanding of stakeholder engagement by actively practicing stakeholder mapping exercises.

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Identify a real-world case study or scenario
Map out the key stakeholders involved, their interests, and their potential impact
Analyze the stakeholder map and identify potential areas for collaboration and engagement

Attend a workshop on social impact measurement

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Gain practical skills and insights by attending a workshop focused on measuring and valuing social and human capital.

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Research and identify relevant workshops in your area or online
Register for and attend the workshop
Actively participate in the workshop sessions and engage with the facilitator and other participants

Develop a social and human capital report

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Apply the concepts and frameworks learned in the course by creating a comprehensive report on social and human capital for a real-world business.

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Identify a specific business or industry to focus on
Research and gather data on the social and human capital impacts of the business
Analyze the data and identify key findings and insights
Write a report summarizing the findings and providing recommendations for improvement

Volunteer with a social or environmental organization

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Gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of social and environmental issues through hands-on volunteering.

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Research and identify organizations that align with your interests
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule

Develop a sustainability report using the Capitals Approach

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Apply your knowledge of the Capitals Approach by creating a comprehensive sustainability report for a real-world business.

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Select a specific business or industry to focus on
Gather data on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the business
Analyze the data and identify key sustainability issues
Write a report summarizing the findings and providing recommendations for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete Transforming Business: Valuing social and human capital will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Capital Analyst

A Social Capital Analyst measures and assesses the social impact of public and private sector projects and initiatives. By taking this course, you will learn how to measure the social and human capital impacts of business activities and decisions. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Capital Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant helps organizations to develop and implement sustainability strategies. This course will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to sustainability. You will also learn how to measure and value social and human capital impacts, which will be valuable in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager is responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of social and human capital issues. You will also learn how to integrate social and human capital issues into business DNA to improve people well-being and tackle inequalities, which will be essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Impact Investor

An Impact Investor invests in companies and organizations that have a positive social or environmental impact. This course will help you to understand the social and human capital impacts of business activities and how to measure and value those impacts. This will be valuable in this role, as you will need to be able to evaluate the social and environmental impact of potential investments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Impact Investor

Social Entrepreneur

A Social Entrepreneur is someone who uses business to solve social problems. Understanding how to measure and value social and human capital will be critical to the success of your venture. This course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role by introducing you to the concepts of social and human capital and how to measure and value those impacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Public Policy Analyst

A Public Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and develops public policies. This course will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to policy development. You will also learn how to measure and value social and human capital impacts, which will be valuable in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing the human resources of an organization. Increasingly, this will include issues related to the social impacts of business activities and how to measure and value those impacts. This course will provide you with a foundation in these areas that will be valuable in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager is responsible for managing a nonprofit organization. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to measure and value the social and human capital impacts of your organization. This will be essential for success in this role, as you will need to be able to demonstrate the impact of your organization's work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Corporate Sustainability Manager

A Corporate Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for a corporation. This course will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital, including how to value and measure those impacts. This knowledge is essential for success in this role, as you will need to be able to assess the social impacts of business decisions and develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Sustainability Manager

Social Worker

A Social Worker helps people to overcome social problems. Understanding how to measure and value social and human capital may be useful in this role as it can help you to better understand the needs of your clients and develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Economist

An Economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may be useful for you as it will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to economic development. You will also learn how to measure and value the social and human capital impacts of economic policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist researches and develops solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful for you as it will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to environmental issues. You will also learn how to measure and value the social and human capital impacts of environmental degradation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Lawyer

A Lawyer provides legal advice and representation to clients. This course may be useful for you as it will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to the law. You will also learn how to measure and value social and human capital impacts, which may be helpful in certain areas of law, such as environmental law or human rights law.

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Teacher

A Teacher teaches students at a school or other educational institution. This course may be useful for you as it will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to education. You will also learn how to measure and value the social and human capital impacts of educational policies and practices.

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Journalist

A Journalist gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. This course may be useful for you as it will introduce you to the concepts of social and human capital and how they relate to journalism. You will also learn how to measure and value the social and human capital impacts of journalism, which may be helpful in reporting on social issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist