Leveraging understanding of the polycontextual nature of the global sustainability context, this course adopts the perspective of companies and organizations to understand and evaluate how they can take advantage of the potential that grand challenges and wicked problems provide. It focuses on why and how companies and organizations integrate sustainability into their strategies, cultures, and operations, including practices such as engaging stakeholders, managing impact, and driving innovation. The course also considers the barriers and challenges to successful sustainability integration. Through case studies, immersion projects, and managerial and leadership tools, students learn to develop resilient, future-ready businesses that contribute to sustainable development.

Topics/issues covered:

• Company and organizational perspectives on global sustainability challenges
• Sustainability transformation and business model innovation
• Competitive advantage through the addressing of grand challenges and wicked problems
• Social and environmental impact
• Sustainability reporting and rating agencies
• Stakeholder engagement
• Human rights due diligence in the value chain
• Integrating sustainability at the organizational level (strategy, business model, culture)
• Leadership, organizational culture, and sustainable HRM (e.g., EDIB)
• Sustainability mindset and sustainability competences
• Partnerships and cross-sector collaborations
• Futureproofing and scenario planning

After this course students will be able to:

• Investigate and structure complex sustainability management challenges faced by companies and organizations considering resources and constraints.
• Analyse the current state of companies and organizations and evaluate how emerging systemic trends may affect their operations and sustainability impact.
• Develop strategic, contextually viable recommendations for sustainability integration given organizational conditions, both in the short and longer term.
• Design and assess sustainability integration and implementation plans, including necessary changes to existing business models.
• Evaluate the role of leadership in facilitating sustainable business transformation and organizational change.
• Interpret sustainability reporting frameworks and rating systems and assess their relevance for corporate accountability and performance.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, in order to articulate and defend evidence-based arguments to corporate representatives and stakeholders.
• Lead and coordinate teamwork, "selling" solutions persuasively and professionally through well-researched presentations.
• Apply creative and out-of-the-box thinking to challenge established business practices and develop innovative, creative, and unconventional solutions aligned with sustainable development principles.
• Critically reflect on personal sustainability competences and engage in continuous self-directed learning to enhance professional skills.

Students must attend onsite 100% of the scheduled sessions.

The course employs a diverse range of interactive and experiential learning methods designed to deepen understanding and to develop competencies to address grand challenges and wicked problems in managerial roles:

• Case studies
• Experiential assignments
• Consciousness-raising experiences
• Guest lectures and practitioner dialogues
• Group projects and presentations

• Experiential assignment (immersion or corresponding alternative) – 40% (individual)
• Future-proofing transformation project – 20% (group)
• Participation (classroom activities) – 10% (individual)
• Group Presentations – 30% (group)

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