Sustainability involves understanding the interconnections and dynamics of social, environmental, and economic systems over time and the complexities this brings.  Structured in three parts, the course takes participants through formulating, implementing, and assessing a sustainable strategy in the international context.

This course highlights that strategic management has deep roots in economic models, where economic success and financial health are critical to the success of the firm. However, this course also highlights that sustainability issues are challenging traditional business model approaches, and sustainability issues and challenges can influence the financial success and viability of firms. Sustainability issues provide both risks and opportunities for businesses by profoundly shaping the operating environment of businesses, both now and in the future.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to enable participants to gain an understanding of integrating sustainability into the strategy formulation and evaluation process. Participants will be introduced to a number of frameworks which enable the assessment of sustainability at the macro-environmental, industry, and firm levels. This course aims to:

1. Create sustainable and responsible mindsets.
2. Enable an understanding of the interaction between social, economic, and environmental issues in dynamic and complex situations.
3. Foster a critical understanding of strategies and approaches to sustainability in the international context.
4. Develop an understanding of global, national, and local forces driving organisational behaviour and how these are incorporated into strategic decision-making and strategy implementation.

Attendance is a firm requirement of this course as many of the learning experiences take place during class and through interactions with peers. The attendance requirement is met if students are present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement are de-registered from the course. Missing sessions will affect class participation credits and may also affect other graded components realized during class. In the exceptional case that you cannot attend a session due important reasons ( e.g., sick leave), you should provide proof of this.

Components of Learning

Through the different learning blocks throughout the course, you will study different theories, concepts, and approaches. You will be given various opportunities to apply these in practical settings- both in-class exercises and the course assessment. We will be using different learning activities which will include innovative approaches using video podcasts, storytelling and blogs.

Part 1: Foundations of Sustainable Strategic Management 

• Sustainability mind-sets 
• the roles and responsibilities of sustainable leaders 

Part 2: Formulating Sustainable Strategic Management 

• Sustainability trends- understanding complexity
• Understanding stakeholder expectations
• Sustainability and the resource-based view

Part 3: Implementing and Evaluating Sustainable Strategic Management 

• Implementing Sustainability Strategies
• Evaluating Sustainability Strategies 

Assessment

Assignment 1 (30%): Individual Report: Formulating a strategy.

Assignment 2 (30%): Group Video Podcast: Evaluating strategy.

Assignment 3 (30%): Blog: Leadership and sustainability mindset.

Class Participation 10%.

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