Strategy and Sustainability from Coursera

Business and environmental sustainability are not natural bedfellows. Business is about making money. Sustainability is about protecting the planet. Business is measured in months and quarters. Sustainability often requires significant short term costs to secure a sometimes uncertain long-term benefit. To some activists, all executives are exploitative, selfish one percenters. To some executives, all activists are irresponsible, unyielding extremists.

And yet engaging with the issue isn’t optional – all businesses must have a strategy to deal with sustainability and, like any strategy, this involves making choices.

This Strategy and Sustainability course based on Rosenberg's recently published book by Palgrave (http://www.palgrave.com/la/book/9781137501738) that encourages learners to filter out the noise and make those choices in a hard-nosed and clear-eyed way. Prof. Rosenberg’s nuanced and fact-based point of view recognizes the complexity of the issues at hand and the strategic choices businesses must make. He blends the work of some of the leading academic thinkers in the field with practical examples from a variety of business sectors and geographies and offers a framework with which senior management might engage with the topic, not (just) to save the planet but to fulfill their short, medium and long-term responsibilities to shareholders and other stakeholders.

This course promises to be both engaging and thought-provoking, aimed at anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of a subject that is no longer perceived as a choice but a necessity for future managers and business leaders alike.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview & Week 1: Business & the Environment

Welcome! Before starting today's video lectures, please have a look at the course syllabus below. In this first session, we'll explore six fundamental differences between how, in my view, CEOs and board members think about the impact of business on the environment and how environmental activists, lobbyists, journalists, and legislators think about the same ideas. The session also deals with the evolution of environmental concern over the last 60 years and how business has responded. Objectives: To understand the different mindset that business has with respect to other parts of civil society and develop an appreciation for the relatively rapid evolution that has occurred in the relationship between business and the environment in the last 60 years.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers strategic issues in environmental sustainability, which is key for strategy in business

Taught by Mike Rosenberg, who authored the book this course is based on

Explores frameworks for development of sustainability strategy

Examines differences in environmental sensibility across business sectors and regions around the world

Provides practical examples from diverse industries

May not be suitable for those without any understanding of business or sustainability

Reviews summary

Strategy and sustainability overview

According to the course structure and content, learners can expect a focus on strategy and sustainability from a business perspective. The course aims to provide a nuanced and fact-based understanding, blending academic thinking with practical examples across various business sectors and geographies. It covers strategic issues, different approaches businesses can take, and explores environmental interest groups. A key outcome is presenting an integrated framework for developing a sustainability strategy. While promising to be engaging and thought-provoking, potential students might want to consider if the level of detail meets their specific needs, as the syllabus suggests a broad overview.

Explores sustainability issues across sectors and regions.

"Exploring differences across various industries seems like a strength."

"Understanding the global context, comparing different regions, is important."

"Seeing how strategy adapts to specific sectors like auto, oil & gas, etc., is relevant."

"I hope the course provides specific examples from different parts of the world."

Offers a structured approach for developing strategy.

"I anticipate learning a practical framework for creating a sustainability strategy."

"The promise of an integrated framework in the final week sounds highly valuable."

"Learning the critical steps to build a robust company strategy is a core goal."

"Hopefully, the framework is clear and applicable to my work."

Frames sustainability from a strategic business angle.

"I expect the course to frame sustainability through a strategic lens relevant to business decisions."

"Learning about the mindset differences between CEOs and activists is a key part."

"The focus is clearly on integrating sustainability into corporate strategy."

"It appears geared towards understanding the business case and implications."

May serve as an overview rather than a deep technical dive.

"Based on the syllabus, the course seems to provide a broad overview of many topics."

"I hope it goes beyond just high-level concepts and offers sufficient detail."

"Those seeking deep technical knowledge on environmental science might need more."

"Could potentially benefit from more in-depth case studies on specific challenges."

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 Strategy and Sustainability with these activities:

Explore your relationship with the environment

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Examine your understanding of the current debate and your own role within it.

Browse courses on Environmental Sustainability

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Review your past experiences with the environment.
Consider your current knowledge of environmental issues. Consider reaching out to someone with opposing views to increase your awareness.

Explore environmental sustainability case studies

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Review case studies on environmental sustainability to apply theory and gain practical insights.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Identify relevant case studies that demonstrate successful environmental sustainability initiatives.
Analyze the strategies used, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
Consider how you can apply learnings to your own business or organization.

Review 'Strategy and Sustainability' by Mike Rosenberg

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Review Mike Rosenberg's book 'Strategy and Sustainability' to gain insights into the complexities of environmental sustainability in business.

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Read the introductory chapters to gain an overview of the topic.
Review the different strategic approaches to environmental sustainability.
Consider the challenges and opportunities associated with each approach.
Apply the concepts to your own business or organization.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Write a mission statement

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Develop your own company mission statement on environmental sustainability.

Browse courses on Mission Statement

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Identify the core values of your company, particularly as they relate to sustainability.
Draft a mission statement that encapsulates these values and your commitment to sustainability.

Conduct a stakeholder analysis

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Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify and engage with those who are affected by your company's environmental performance.

Browse courses on Stakeholder Analysis

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Identify the stakeholders who could have an economic, social, or environmental interest in your firm's environmental activities.
Assess the potential impact of your company's activities on these stakeholders.
Develop strategies to engage with these stakeholders and address their concerns.

Create a sustainability plan

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Develop a comprehensive sustainability plan to guide your company's actions.

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Research industry best practices for sustainability.
Assess your company's current environmental impact.
Establish goals and objectives for reducing that impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Strategy and Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Analyst

A Sustainability Analyst may be responsible for reviewing a company's environmental practices and identifying areas for improvement. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Sustainability Analysts in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help analysts understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing sustainability strategies that are both effective and realistic.

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Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants help organizations understand and manage their environmental impact. They may also develop and implement environmental management systems. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Environmental Consultants in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help consultants understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing environmental management systems that are both effective and realistic.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for their organizations. They may also be responsible for overseeing the organization's environmental performance. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Sustainability Managers in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing sustainability strategies that are both effective and realistic.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers are responsible for developing and implementing CSR strategies for their organizations. They may also be responsible for overseeing the organization's social and environmental performance. This course may be useful for those who want to work as CSR Managers in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing CSR strategies that are both effective and realistic.

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and may represent clients in environmental litigation. They may also advise clients on environmental compliance and regulatory issues. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Environmental Lawyers in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help lawyers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in representing clients in environmental litigation and advising clients on environmental compliance and regulatory issues.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. They may also be responsible for overseeing the environmental performance of organizations. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Environmental Engineers in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help engineers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in designing and implementing solutions to environmental problems that are both effective and realistic.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They may also be responsible for overseeing the project budget and timeline. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Project Managers in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help project managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in planning, organizing, and executing sustainability projects that are both effective and realistic.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. They may also be responsible for managing relationships with existing clients. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Business Development Managers in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help business development managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in identifying and developing new business opportunities in the field of sustainability.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They may also be responsible for managing the marketing budget and timeline. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Marketing Managers in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help marketing managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and executing marketing campaigns that are both effective and realistic.

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Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public relations of their organizations. They may also be responsible for developing and executing public relations campaigns. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Public Relations Managers in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help public relations managers understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and executing public relations campaigns that are both effective and realistic.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They may also develop and recommend policy solutions. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Policy Analysts in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help policy analysts understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and recommending policy solutions that are both effective and realistic.

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Research Analyst

Research Analysts conduct research on a variety of topics. They may also develop and present research reports. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Research Analysts in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help research analysts understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in conducting research on sustainability issues and developing and presenting research reports that are both informative and engaging.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news stories. They may also conduct interviews and research. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Journalists in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help journalists understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in writing and reporting on news stories about sustainability issues that are both accurate and informative.

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Educator

Educators teach students about a variety of subjects. They may also develop and implement lesson plans. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Educators in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help educators understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing lesson plans about sustainability issues that are both engaging and informative.

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Nonprofit Executive

Nonprofit Executives manage nonprofit organizations. They may also be responsible for fundraising and developing strategic plans. This course may be useful for those who want to work as Nonprofit Executives in the field of sustainability in that it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic issues involved in environmental sustainability. The course may also help nonprofit executives understand the different perspectives of businesses, environmental activists, and other stakeholders. This understanding may be helpful in developing and implementing strategic plans that are both effective and realistic.

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