BIK 2950 Sustainable Business
BIK 2950 Sustainable Business
The UN's sustainability goals contribute to the framework conditions in the public and private sector being about to change. Requirements for green growth, technological innovations and increased focus on sustainable products and services affect business models and practices are challenged, services are digitized and value chains are transformed. At the same time, the consumers of the future are drawn to companies that want to contribute to a positive change in the world. It leads the business community in the direction of not only financial returns, but also social responsibility that affects strategy, marketing and forms of communication. The course focuses on the fact that at the interface between new technology, digitalisation, new markets and sustainability, there are enormous opportunities for value creation. We look at Norwegian and international trends in companies that have made sustainability a competitive advantage for their own business through innovation, marketing, communication and sales of products and services in new ways, in new markets and channels. Students must also be able to critically assess the economic consequences of climate change and the ethical aspects of green business operations The course is suitable for people seeking knowledge and practical skills related to sustainability and future business model innovation. The course is also relevant for those who work with marketing, strategic communication, positioning and market communication related to sustainable development in the private and public sector.
After completing the course, students should: have an overview of key theories, methods and approaches within sustainability and environmental economics have knowledge of sustainable business management and how to develop a sustainable business strategy have insight into the interplay between business model innovation and technology be able to apply theory for innovation of smart ideas / business models and green growth in one's own business have knowledge of the importance of communication and marketing of sustainable companies, products and services
After completing the course, students should be able to: apply theory and methods to explore and study the future of sustainable business modeling contribute to the transition to sustainable growth in one's own organization; strategy, management and organization participate in the assessment and implementation of sustainable innovations and their profitability plan and implement marketing measures to make sustainability visible in one's own business
After completing the course, the students should:
• have insight into and be able to reflect on how political sustainability goals contribute to the green shift entering a new phase
• critically assess the economic impact of climate change and the ethical aspects of green business operations
• communicate and discuss relevant academic issues and openness and transparency as core values in climate communication in order to get the message out
Global challenges, an environmental, economic, social problem Sustainability and the green shift, current trends and future scenarios for green growth towards 2030? Sustainability as a business model and competitiveness Sustainable markets, products and services, what are the opportunities? Where are the markets? Green management and strategy design Segmentation and market development for sustainable consumption Interaction between sustainable business model innovation and new technology Innovation and design of sustainable and profitable business Climate risk as a financial risk and ethical aspects of sustainable business operations Marketing and communication in the green shift
The course is conducted over 10 weeks, as a combination of 2 x 2 days of classroom teaching, online tutorials between the sessions and academic discussion around exam-relevant reflection questions in the course's digital classroom. There will be clear bridges between the web and the days in classroom at campus so that the activities overlap and build on each other. At campus, the syllabus will be supplemented by external lecturers from Norwegian companies in the private and public sectors who have either completed or are in the process of innovating existing sustainable business models that are attractive and profitable.
Active participation is expected both in class discussions and between sessions.
The course ends with the submission of a project assignment that counts 100% of the grade. The assignment is to develop and document a green innovation in their own business, or any other topic the student is passionate about, and can be solved individually or in groups of up to three (3) people. The project assignment is handed out at the start of the semester. The answer must be attached to a self-evaluation from each candidate or group. The self-evaluation should provide a brief description of the candidate's / group's learning outcomes in light of the course's learning objectives, as well as a reasoned grade proposal. The answer must be a maximum of 15 pages, excluding self-evaluation and any other attachments.
In all BI Executive courses and programs, there is a mutual requirement for the student and the course responsible regarding the involvement of the student's experience in the planning and implementation of courses, modules and programmes. This means that the student has the right and duty to get involved with their own knowledge and practice relevance, through the active sharing of their relevant experience and knowledge.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Covid-19
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 100 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 3) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: The students must hand in a project paper at the end of the course counting 100%. The paper should not exceed 15 pages of text (figures and tables not included). Exam code: BIK 29501 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination when next scheduled course |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Examination | 72 Hour(s) | |
Teaching | 32 Hour(s) | |
Digital resources
| 13 Hour(s) | |
Group work / Assignments | 23 Hour(s) | |
Student's own work with learning resources | 60 Hour(s) |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.