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SBM-MB14
MBA 2014-16: Term-VI

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1. Course Description

The objectives of this course are to introduce management students to the concept of sustainability, its various dimensions and approaches such as whole systems design, natural capitalism, sustainable consumption & production, closed loop technical cycles, and moving towards low carbon economy. The course will orient students to the application of sustainability principles for businesses, communities & urban agglomerations through concepts such as biomimicry, cradle to cradle, triple bottom line and others. Focus will be on the integration of sustainability initiatives in diverse business sectors such as manufacturing, services and natural resource based companies. Students will also understand integration of sustainability oriented practices across value chains, and specific organizational functions through case studies and best practices. They will reflect on the role of leadership and management practitioners in adopting sustainability practices and strategies.

2. Student Learning Outcomes

· Be able to understand basic concepts of sustainability
· Be able to understand and apply sustainability related metrics
· Be able to understand sustainability across sectors and complete value chain
· Be able to analyze and reflect on sustainability initiatives in the corporate world through case studies
· Be able to analyze the sustainability fit of business models and the process of integrating sustainability issues within the organization

3. Reading Material
(I) Module I: Ideological Basis of Sustainability

1. Brundtland, G. (Ed.). (1987). Our common future: The world commission on environment and development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2. Hart, S. L. & Prahalad, C. K., (1999). Strategies for the bottom of the pyramid: creating sustainable development. Ann Arbor, 1001, 48109

3. Teaching Note

4. Case Study: Extract from Rachel Carson’s Works

(II) Module II: Sustainability Practices

1. Benyus, J. (1998). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature (1st ed.) New York:Quill

2. Ljungberg, L. (2007). Materials selection and design for development of sustainable products. Materials & Design, 28(2), 466 e 479 doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2005.09.006

3. Teaching Note

4. Case Study: IKEA, Extracts from Madhav Gadgill’s work

(III) Module III: Application of Sustainability in the Corporate World

1. Jira, C. F., M. W. Toffel. 2011. Engaging supply chains in climate change. HBS Working Paper

2. TNEP Engineering Sustainable Solutions Program - Whole System Design. (n.d.). Retrieved on 14.11.2015 from http://www.naturaledgeproject.net/Whole_System_Design.aspx#Unit2

3. Teaching Note

4. Case Study: Interface

(IV) Module IV: Sustainability Strategies

1. Savitz A., & Weber, K. (2006) The Triple Bottom Line: How Today's Best-Run Companies are Achieving Economic, Social and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

2. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Retrieved on 14.11.2015 from https://www.globalreporting. org/resourcelibrary/ GRIG4-Part1-Reporting-Principles-and-Standard-Disclosures.pdf

3. Teaching Note

4. Case Study: IBM & XEROX

4. Tentative Session Plan
Session No.Topics/ActivitiesReading/case list etc.
Module IIdeological Basis of Sustainability
1Sustainability – Definitions, Emergence, & Approaches Reading Material and Teaching Note
2Systems Thinking & Sustainability – Concept of Ecosystem Reading Material and Teaching Note
3Resource Consumption & Pollution Prevention: (Re) Analyzing the Input – Output CycleReading Material and Teaching Note
4Environmental Sustainability, Eco Efficiency & Social Equity – Sustainability DimensionsReading Material and Teaching Note
5Frameworks, Indicators, & Metrices of SustainabilityReading Material and Teaching Note
6Sustainability: Principles, Policies & RegulationsReading Material and Teaching Note
Module IISustainability Practices
7Learning’s from Nature, Tradition, & Culture: Biomimicry, Design for EnvironmentReading Material and Teaching Note
8Cleaner Production, Cradle to Cradle & Life Cycle AssessmentReading Material and Teaching Note
9Material Selection, Ethical Sourcing & Green ChemistryReading Material and Teaching Note
10Extended Producer Responsibility vs. Compliance Reading Material and Teaching Note
Module IIIApplication of Sustainability in the Corporate WorldReading Material and Teaching Note
11Sustainable Products & Services – the changing business paradigmReading Material and Teaching Note
12Towards Sustainable Business/ Value Chain, Upstream SustainabilityReading Material and Teaching Note
13Sustainable Work Flow Process Design, Job Design, Health & SafetyReading Material and Teaching Note
14Whole System Design ApproachReading Material and Teaching Note
15Integrating Sustainability across organizational functions Reading Material and Teaching Note
16Sustainability as strategy – why some organizations take advantage, role of the leadership in context of sustainability initiativesReading Material and Teaching Note
Module IVSustainability Strategies
17Engaging with Stakeholders & Triple Bottom LineReading Material and Teaching Note
18Sustainability Reporting & CSR, Business role in designing sustainable cities & communitiesReading Material and Teaching Note
19Student Led Class DiscussionReading Material and Teaching Note
20Student Led Class DiscussionReading Material and Teaching Note

5. Evaluation:
Evaluation CriteriaMarks
Mid term – Quiz25% of Total Marks
End term (Written)40% of Total Marks
Term Paper25% of Total Marks
Class Participation10% of Total Marks

6. Academic Integrity:

Students are required to follow the “Manual of Policies for Students” for class conduct, procedure for all assignments and examinations

Due reference should be given to all documents/ publications accessed in case of submissions and assignments

Created By: Alora Kar on 11/16/2015 at 11:25 AM
Category: BM-II T-VI Doctype: Document

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