Sustainability in Business

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 252

In today's complex business environment, organizations are constantly challenged to develop innovative policies and processes that ensure profitability. Some leaders believe that the sole purpose of business is to maximize shareholder wealth and that fiscal sustainability is not compatible with environmental responsibility. In reality, ecological and economic performance need not--and should not--be mutually exclusive. Fortunately, the outmoded mindset of "profit-at-any-cost" is beginning to shift as organizations recognize the importance of adopting balanced business practices that promote social equity and environmental prosperity without sacrificing financial stability. Organizations that embed sustainability into their corporate strategies increase operational efficiency by using resources more responsibly and minimizing waste. In an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace, sustainability has become a source of competitive advantage through which an organization can have a positive impact not only on the financial "bottom line" but also on the environment and society. In this course, we explore key concepts and issues driving sustainability in business. We also examine core sustainability principles, frameworks, and tools that companies can use to better understand and work within the natural systems that enable their existence and sustain their operations.
Course Attributes: EN S; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC

Section 01

Sustainability in Business
INSTRUCTOR: VanRiper
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