Sustainable Business Strategy will take place Sept 26, 2018 – Oct 17, 2018. This 3 week online course is offered by at the Harvard Business School (HBX). It addresses climate change, income inequality, social injustice and other big problems of our times. You will learn how businesses can thrive and grow while simultaneously playing a major role in solving some of these big problems. You will also learn how you as an individual can make a difference.
Through interactive online case studies with leading companies such as Walmart and Unilever, you will learn why purpose-driven firms perform well, and how they can kickstart the wheel of change. You will examine different business models and gain an understanding of the broader landscape including the role of government, investors, and customers.
Whether you are just getting started in your career or are already an established professional, you will walk away from Sustainable Business Strategy with the ability to:
- Understand/Analyze the business models that can drive change
- Influence management, leadership, and other key stakeholders as to the competitive advantages of being a purpose-driven firm
- Examine the broader political and social landscape in which you operate
- Understand why collective efforts are important and how business can be a catalyst for system-level change
- Determine what YOU can do in your career to become a purpose-driven leader
Program Structure For Sustainable Business Strategy
Sustainable Business Strategy consists of approximately 15 to 20 hours of material developed by Professor Rebecca Henderson and delivered over a three week period with a flexible program structure. There is no set time to log in. You complete the coursework, which consists of a highly engaging mix of short videos, multimedia cases, interactive learning exercises, and written reflections, on your own time while meeting regular deadlines. All course material is delivered through the innovative HBX online platform. While there is no direct real-time interaction with the faculty built into the course, current and former participants may be invited to special events, both on and off-line, where HBX faculty are present.
The HBX Learning Model centers around the Harvard Business School case method, featuring interviews with business leaders and executives from companies around the world who candidly discuss challenges they’ve faced or obstacles they’ve overcome. We ask you to step into their shoes and engage with your peers to work through these real-world business scenarios.
The case protagonists in Sustainable Business Strategy represent executives from leading companies including Walmart, King Arthur Flour, and Unilever. You will also hear from faculty experts working across the broader system in law, government, and finance.
Topics covered in the program include:
- Business Models & the Business Case for Doing Good
- Purpose-Driven Business & the Wheel of Change
- Public Goods Problems
- Collective Action
- Business & the Broader System
Certificate
Participants in Sustainable Business Strategy are eligible for a Certificate of Completion from HBX and Harvard Business School. To earn the certificate, you must successfully complete all coursework by the stated deadlines and actively contribute to the vibrant HBX learning community.
Online Course Starts
Who Would Benefit From Sustainable Business Strategy
Sustainable Business Strategy is for individuals who work at for-profit organizations who are interested in learning how business can effect change, and in becoming a purpose-driven business leader. Individuals who work for not-for-profit organizations may also benefit from this course, particularly those who want to develop strategic partnerships with for-profit entities.
Meet the Faculty
Professor Rebecca Henderson – HBX Sustainable Business Strategy
John and Natty McArthur University Professor
Rebecca Henderson is the John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University, where she has a joint appointment at the Harvard Business School in the General Management and Strategy units. Professor Henderson is also a research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and serves as co-chair of the Harvard University Climate Change Task Force. She serves on the board of several public companies and her MBA course, Reimagining Capitalism, is one of the most popular elective courses in the Harvard Business School MBA Program.
Admissions
It is free to apply and applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged. Successful applicants will demonstrate a desire to contribute to the vibrant HBX learning community. All applicants must be 18 years of age and demonstrate proficiency in English.
Click here to view the full syllabus (pdf)
Click here to get started
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Stay tuned for more green school information and resources this year. From now until the end of October, the Green Market Oracle will feature posts as part of the 2018 edition of the Green School Series which includes links to almost 400 articles covering everything you need to
know about sustainable academics, student eco-initiatives, green school
buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related
information and resources.
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