Environmental Strategy
Author: Seagle, Carol
Source: Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC-Chapel Hill
Year: 2009
Number of pages: 20
Abstract:
This course is designed to increase students' understanding of the strategies undertaken by corporations to
(1) minimize environmental impact, (2) mitigate risks and manage under conditions of uncertainty, (3) leverage environmental concern as a source of competitive business advantage, and (4) deal effectively with global environmental issues such as climate change and resource limitations.
Through lectures, readings, case studies, classroom discussion, and assignments, this course aims to:
- Expose students to strategies companies use to innovate, create value, and build competitive advantage;
- Give students the opportunity to work with tools to quantitatively assess firms' environmental impact and alternative investment scenarios;
- Challenge students to think critically about the environmental and societal consequences of business decisions; and
- Increase students' understanding of the implications of global climate change and associated regulations on industry.
Within the context of an MBA education, this course has the following goals:
- Develop students' ability to think critically, systematically evaluate complex issues, and weigh interconnected and conflicting interests;
- Increase students' capacity to comprehend and make use of quantitative and qualitative information to ground their decision-making;
- Improve students' ability to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively, with a specific focus on articulating business strategies that take environmental and societal issues into account; and
- Develop leadership skills including the ability to solve problems creatively, to communicate persuasively about complex and contentious issues, and to determine the most effective implementation for strategies aimed at improving environmental performance.
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Related Documents
Lecture 1: Bringing the Environment Down to Earth and into the Board Room
Author(s): Seagle, Carol
Product Type: Notes; Teaching Modules
Road Map for This Class
1.News and Introduction to the course and the class
2.Overview of topics to be covered in detail throughout course
3.Description of course assignments
4.Discussion about the Reinhardt article
5.Presentation of ancillary data regarding the state of business implementation of environmental strategy
Lecture 2: Environmental Management Systems Benziger Family Winery Case
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Lecture 3: Responsible Care and the Chemical Industry
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-Insight into the design of an industry association as a response to society's environmental concerns and as an alternative to government regulations
-Knowledge of key milestones related to rising environmental awareness, industry responsibility, and government intervention
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Lecture 8: Environmentally-Minded, Pro-Active Business Strategy: Focus on Sustainability at DuPont
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Lecture 10: Ecosystem Services and Markets
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Lecture 11: Water
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Product Type: Notes; Teaching Modules
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-Increased familiarity with climate change regulation and other key climate change concepts