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Kirsti Reitan Andersen,
Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen,
Lars Jacob Tynes Pedersen,
David Murillo,
Ana Lucia Diaz Schiavon,
Florian Lüdeke-Freund,
and
Sveinung Jørgensen
We can no longer ignore humans’ negative impact on the planet. While some parts of the world still can close their eyes to shared and global sustainability challenges, the negative consequences of human activity in other parts of the world have increasingly detrimental effects on the planet and people’s lives. For example, in recent years, global warming is leading to heavy rainfall at unusual times of the year. As a result, in India, some farmers have lost their entire cotton harvest. We also begin to see and understand the negative impacts of global plastic use and waste on nature, animals, and the things we eat.
Read more
We can no longer ignore humans’ negative impact on the planet. While some parts of the world still can close their eyes to shared and global sustainability challenges, the negative consequences of human activity in other parts of the world have increasingly detrimental effects on the planet and people’s lives. For example, in recent years, global warming is leading to heavy rainfall at unusual times of the year. As a result, in India, some farmers have lost their entire cotton harvest. We also begin to see and understand the negative impacts of global plastic use and waste on nature, animals, and the things we eat.
Read more
We can no longer ignore humans’ negative impact on the planet. While some parts of the world still can close their eyes to shared and global sustainability challenges, the negative consequences of human activity in other parts of the world have increasingly detrimental effects on the planet and people’s lives. For example, in recent years, global warming is leading to heavy rainfall at unusual times of the year. As a result, in India, some farmers have lost their entire cotton harvest. We also begin to see and understand the negative impacts of global plastic use and waste on nature, animals, and the things we eat.
Change towards sustainability needs to happen at many levels of our societies. Global business activities are one of the major causes of the current situation. However, businesses also holds great potential to take the lead in creating more sustainable organizations and practices. In this course, we explore the role that businesses can play in actively transforming their operations and society as a whole towards sustainability and prosperity for all.
This course was created by some of the leading researchers on business model theory and social entrepreneurship in Europe in collaboration with both small and large companies across various sectors investing in sustainable business model innovation. This course provides an overview of sustainable business model theory and innovation and discusses business models as essential tools in transforming to more sustainable businesses. Throughout the course, we will use the theory of sustainable business models and sustainable business model innovation as a foundation to investigate how companies can implement more sustainable business practices. We will provide you with a rich opportunity to examine their efforts and consider strategies for your organization. We would greatly appreciate if you would also enlighten us with business examples from your countries to discover new ways of dealing with sustainability together.
By the end of the course, you will have an understanding of some challenges and opportunities companies face in their work towards creating more sustainable business models. You will be able to explain, discuss, and critically use the sustainable business model theory and tools to manage innovation towards more sustainable practices.
We have developed this course in close collaboration with an amazing group of people who have contributed with their knowledge and practical experiences, and we have learned so much. We are very excited to continue this journey with you and hope you will find the course insightful, useful, and inspiring. Let’s get started!
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/llpaxn/business
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Syllabus
Introduction to Sustainable Business Models
Over the last two decades, it has become increasingly clear that our current ways of living and organizing are neither environmentally nor socially sustainable. Research shows that current climate changes and dramatic decreases in global biodiversity are a direct result of human activity.
Sustainability challenges take many forms. To give an example, research increasingly points to the negative consequences of our global love for plastic. Arguably, plastic has many amazing properties, including being recyclable. However, research also increasingly points to plastic’s detrimental effects on the planet and people—for example, through microplastics ending up in the oceans and then in the fish and seafood that we eat.
Some problems that we face with social sustainably are a direct consequence of business activities—for example, exploitation of people in global supply chains in the form of unsafe working conditions or less-than-minimum-wage pay. Exploitation can also take the form of child labor, which continues to be a problem. Social sustainability challenges also arise as a result of global warming, with people already living in precarious conditions often carrying the biggest cost—for example, losing an entire cotton harvest due to heavy rain.
In this module, we will begin to see how companies are part of the problem but also part of the solution to the sustainability crisis that the world is facing. Companies can play an all-important role in changing current unsustainable practices through innovative and sustainable products, services, and business models. In this module, we will briefly introduce you to some central problems related to our current ways of running businesses. We will introduce you to the concept of business models and discuss how a sustainable business model is different from what we might think of as a conventional or linear business model.
Finally, you will also get to meet the CEO and CMO of the B-Corp Too Good To Go, who will share their experiences setting up a company with a mission of fighting food waste.
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction to Sustainable Business Models
Over the last two decades, it has become increasingly clear that our current ways of living and organizing are neither environmentally nor socially sustainable. Research shows that current climate changes and dramatic decreases in global biodiversity are a direct result of human activity.
Sustainability challenges take many forms. To give an example, research increasingly points to the negative consequences of our global love for plastic. Arguably, plastic has many amazing properties, including being recyclable. However, research also increasingly points to plastic’s detrimental effects on the planet and people—for example, through microplastics ending up in the oceans and then in the fish and seafood that we eat.
Some problems that we face with social sustainably are a direct consequence of business activities—for example, exploitation of people in global supply chains in the form of unsafe working conditions or less-than-minimum-wage pay. Exploitation can also take the form of child labor, which continues to be a problem. Social sustainability challenges also arise as a result of global warming, with people already living in precarious conditions often carrying the biggest cost—for example, losing an entire cotton harvest due to heavy rain.
In this module, we will begin to see how companies are part of the problem but also part of the solution to the sustainability crisis that the world is facing. Companies can play an all-important role in changing current unsustainable practices through innovative and sustainable products, services, and business models. In this module, we will briefly introduce you to some central problems related to our current ways of running businesses. We will introduce you to the concept of business models and discuss how a sustainable business model is different from what we might think of as a conventional or linear business model.
Finally, you will also get to meet the CEO and CMO of the B-Corp Too Good To Go, who will share their experiences setting up a company with a mission of fighting food waste.
Read more
Sustainable Business Model Innovation
Building on the concept of sustainable business models introduced in Module 1, we will explore what innovation is and its benefits in this module. If we are to change towards more sustainable organisational practices, it is paramount that we innovate on products and services and the way we run businesses. You will learn about sustainable business model innovation, key principles of sustainable business model innovation, market evolution and the role of consumers, and various tools to develop sustainable business models.
We will exemplify the various aspects of sustainable business model innovation through a number of industry and business examples, such as Mobility, Fairphone, and Interface, while discussing their approaches to sustainability. We will also introduce you to the Danish print company KLS Pure Print. You will learn about KLS Pure Print’s journey from an old-school, traditional print business to becoming a front-runner in sustainable printing. Because of this shift, the company is still in business.
Finally, we will also take a closer look at social innovation with Professor David Murillo from ESADE through a careful analysis of the UK-based Behavioral Insights Team (BIT).
Circular Business Models
In this module, Lars Jacob and Svening will take us on a deep dive into the concept of the circular economy. Through a number of examples from various industries, they will discuss the main differences between linear and circular economies, and they will explore some key characteristics of circular business models. Starting with a circular economy, they will introduce concepts such as the access and collaborative economy, the all-important role of collaboration and partnerships for sustainable futures, as well as different levels of “recycling.”
In this module, you will also have the chance to meet some of the brave front-runners of circular business models, like the Dutch jeans brand MUD Jeans, the French online marketplace for carpooling BlaBlaCar, and the Danish children’s clothing library Vigga.
Sustainability in Practice
In this module, we will further explore concepts introduced in this course’s previous modules. Our main focus will be on how companies work with sustainability in practice and what challenges and opportunities they face in doing so. First, Professor Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen will introduce the concept of strategic planning and implementation and the relationship between a strategy and a business model. We will then continue by exploring how companies work with value propositions, customer interfaces, supply chains, and financial models in reality. Finally, we will look into sustainable communication and marketing and what role they play in transforming companies towards sustainability.
Different Types of Sustainable Business Models
In this module, we will investigate and discuss the business models of three companies, namely the sports brand PUMA, the water company Aarhus Vand, and the dairy company Thise. Representatives from each company will share with us their company strategies, ideas, struggles, and rewards from investing in sustainable business model innovation. Following each case video, we will discuss their approaches to sustainable business model innovation, drawing on the concepts and ideas introduced in earlier modules while also encouraging you to ask critical questions about the pros and cons of the chosen approaches.
Sustainable Business Models Ecosystems
In this last module, we will move the discussion of sustainable business model innovation from individual businesses to ecosystems. As seen in previous modules, some challenges that businesses face in their sustainability work are systemic and therefore also very hard for an individual company to solve. We see an urgent need for entire ecosystems to change to also allow individual companies to transform their business models.
In the last couple of decades, we have seen an increasing number of attempts at creating systemic change towards sustainability. Often, these attempts take the form of movements, guided by a form of a manifesto. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are one such example of a manifesto trying to facilitate system change. As we will see in this module, all of these movements for systemic change have collaboration or partnerships for sustainability at their heart.
You will meet representatives from three movements, all aiming to create more sustainable alternative ecosystems. First, you will meet representatives from the B Corp Movement who will share with us how it approaches a sustainable business model and system innovation. Second, you will meet Claus Meyer, who is one of the founders of the New Nordic Cuisine (NNC). The NNC continues to have a great impact on the Nordic food culture, arguably also beyond the Nordic countries, towards more local and sustainable value chains and healthy diets. Third, we will also discuss the all-important role of sustainable investment in transforming our societies towards sustainability.
Finally, we will have a critical discussion with Professor Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen on the challenges and opportunities companies face when investing in sustainable business model innovation, both at a company and system level.
In creating this course, we have had the honor of meeting incredible people working hard to transform how we do business. We have learned so much on this journey, and we hope you have, too—not least in this last module, where we take a closer look at much-needed systemic change.
Course assessment
In this final assignment, you must take the skills you have learned to use in a case study and business model analysis of a company of your choice. This may be a brand, a manufacturer, a service provider, or another organisation that you find relevant and interesting to investigate.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Explores current problems with business practices and their contributions to sustainability challenges
Examines the potential of business model innovation for promoting sustainability
Provides practical examples from companies and organizations that have successfully implemented sustainable business models
Introduces key concepts, theories, and tools for sustainable business model innovation
Requires students to apply course concepts to a real-world case study
Taught by leading researchers and practitioners in sustainable business
Suitable for learners interested in sustainable business, sustainability management, and social entrepreneurship
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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 Business Models For Sustainability with these
activities:
Organize Course Materials
Show steps
Review and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to prepare for the course.
Show steps
-
Gather all course materials from multiple sources
-
Organize materials by module or topic
-
Review materials to identify key concepts and terms
Participate in Online Discussion Forums
Show steps
Engage with peers to discuss course topics, share insights, and ask questions.
Show steps
-
Join online discussion forums related to sustainable business practices
-
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your perspectives
Read 'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'
Show steps
Gain insights into sustainable business practices and the circular economy.
View
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts
-
Identify examples of circular economy principles in practice
-
Discuss the implications for businesses and consumers
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore Sustainable Business Model Tools and Frameworks
Show steps
Enhance understanding of sustainable business model theory and innovation through guided tutorials.
Show steps
-
Review online tutorials on sustainable business model tools and frameworks
-
Apply these tools and frameworks to a specific business or industry
-
Discuss the potential impact and benefits of adopting sustainable business practices
Volunteer with Organizations Promoting Sustainability
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience and make a positive impact while learning about sustainability.
Browse courses on
Sustainability
Show steps
-
Research and identify organizations that align with your interests in sustainability
-
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
-
Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to their sustainability initiatives
Case Study Analysis
Show steps
Apply concepts to real-world scenarios to enhance understanding of sustainable business practices.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Models
Show steps
-
Read and analyze a business case study related to sustainability
-
Identify the challenges and opportunities for the business
-
Develop and present recommendations for sustainable business practices
Contribute to Open Source Projects Related to Sustainability
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to the advancement of sustainable business practices.
Browse courses on
Sustainability
Show steps
-
Identify open source projects focused on sustainability
-
Review the project's goals, codebase, and community
-
Contribute to the project by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or writing code
Organize Course Materials
Show steps
Review and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to prepare for the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather all course materials from multiple sources
- Organize materials by module or topic
- Review materials to identify key concepts and terms
Participate in Online Discussion Forums
Show steps
Engage with peers to discuss course topics, share insights, and ask questions.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join online discussion forums related to sustainable business practices
- Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your perspectives
Read 'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'
Show steps
Gain insights into sustainable business practices and the circular economy.
View
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts
- Identify examples of circular economy principles in practice
- Discuss the implications for businesses and consumers
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore Sustainable Business Model Tools and Frameworks
Show steps
Enhance understanding of sustainable business model theory and innovation through guided tutorials.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review online tutorials on sustainable business model tools and frameworks
- Apply these tools and frameworks to a specific business or industry
- Discuss the potential impact and benefits of adopting sustainable business practices
Volunteer with Organizations Promoting Sustainability
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience and make a positive impact while learning about sustainability.
Browse courses on
Sustainability
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify organizations that align with your interests in sustainability
- Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
- Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to their sustainability initiatives
Case Study Analysis
Show steps
Apply concepts to real-world scenarios to enhance understanding of sustainable business practices.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Business Models
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read and analyze a business case study related to sustainability
- Identify the challenges and opportunities for the business
- Develop and present recommendations for sustainable business practices
Contribute to Open Source Projects Related to Sustainability
Show steps
Gain practical experience and contribute to the advancement of sustainable business practices.
Browse courses on
Sustainability
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open source projects focused on sustainability
- Review the project's goals, codebase, and community
- Contribute to the project by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or writing code
Career center
Learners who complete Business Models For Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants help organizations reduce their environmental impact and improve their social performance. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists conduct research and develop solutions to environmental problems. This course can help you build a foundation in sustainability and environmental science, providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field. You will learn about the causes and effects of environmental problems, and develop the skills to design and implement solutions.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
ESG Analyst
ESG Analyst
ESG Analysts evaluate the environmental, social, and governance performance of organizations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainability and ESG investing. You will learn how to assess the ESG performance of organizations, develop ESG investment strategies, and communicate ESG information to stakeholders.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and policy. This course can help you develop a foundation in sustainability and environmental law, providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field. You will learn about the legal framework for environmental protection, and develop the skills to analyze and interpret environmental laws.
Sustainable Product Developer
Sustainable Product Developer
Sustainable Product Developers design and develop sustainable products and services. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Renewable Energy Project Manager
Renewable Energy Project Manager
Renewable Energy Project Managers oversee the development and implementation of renewable energy projects. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Sustainability Communications Manager
Sustainability Communications Manager
Sustainability Communications Managers develop and implement sustainability communications strategies for organizations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Sustainability Educator
Sustainability Educator
Sustainability Educators teach about sustainability and environmental issues. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn about the causes and effects of environmental problems, and develop the skills to design and implement solutions.
Sustainability Researcher
Sustainability Researcher
Sustainability Researchers conduct research on sustainability and environmental issues. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn about the causes and effects of environmental problems, and develop the skills to design and implement solutions.
Sustainability Advocate
Sustainability Advocate
Sustainability Advocates promote sustainability and environmental issues. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn about the causes and effects of environmental problems, and develop the skills to design and implement solutions.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy Analysts develop and analyze environmental policies. This course can help you develop a foundation in sustainability and environmental law, providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field. You will learn about the legal framework for environmental protection, and develop the skills to analyze and interpret environmental laws.
Sustainability Data Analyst
Sustainability Data Analyst
Sustainability Data Analysts collect and analyze data to measure and track sustainability performance. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
Circular Economy Consultant
Circular Economy Consultant
Circular Economy Consultants help organizations transition to a circular economy. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a comprehensive overview of sustainable business models and practices. You will learn how to identify and assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop and implement sustainability strategies, and communicate sustainability initiatives to stakeholders.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/llpaxn/business
Reading list
We've selected six 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
Business Models For Sustainability.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable business, with a focus on the triple bottom line framework.
This groundbreaking book presents a vision for a circular economy where materials are continuously reused and recycled.
Provides insight into the challenges that companies face when innovating and how to overcome them.
Provides a step-by-step guide to the lean startup methodology, which can be used to develop and test new business models.
Save
Provides a vision for a sustainable future, with a focus on the role that business can play in creating a circular economy.
This classic work provides insights into the motivations and strategies of social entrepreneurs, who create businesses with a social mission.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/llpaxn/business
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Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institutions
Copenhagen Business School
ESADE Business and Law School
ESCP Business School
NHH
Instructors
Kirsti Reitan Andersen
Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen
Lars Jacob Tynes Pedersen
David Murillo
Ana Lucia Diaz Schiavon
Florian Lüdeke-Freund
Sveinung Jørgensen
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
한국어
日本語
हिंदी
Nederlands
Svenska
Pусский
Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
Bahasa Indonesia
ไทย
қазақша
tiếng Việt
Good to know
Explores current problems with business practices and their contributions to sustainability challenges
Examines the potential of business model innovation for promoting sustainability
Provides practical examples from companies and organizations that have successfully implemented sustainable business models
Introduces key concepts, theories, and tools for sustainable business model innovation
Requires students to apply course concepts to a real-world case study
Taught by leading researchers and practitioners in sustainable business
Suitable for learners interested in sustainable business, sustainability management, and social entrepreneurship
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