Objectives and competences
The main aim and objective of this course is to aquire students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to understand and critically evaluate the complex cause-effect relationships between the natural environment and the performance of firms. In such a way, students learn the importance of sustainability data for communication with business partners and the public and learn to critically evaluate and understand the data needed to establish sustainable or environmental policies in companies. They learn to integrate sustainability data into management and development decisions and become familiar with modern software tools and databases for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and processes.
Content (Syllabus outline)
- interaction of companies with the natural environment;
- environmental sustainability criteria;
- data needed for sutainability reporting;
- data needed to evaluate projects from environmental (climate) perspective;
- data needed for environmental policy and management;
- data needed for climate policy; implementation (carbon footprint analysis);
- software tools for calculating environmental impacts of such organizations (LCA methodology).
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• case studies
• individual work
• LCA software and databases work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Student in this course:
1. Develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of the importance of data for sustainable development in business. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
2. Are aware of the broader ethical, social and environmental issues in the areas covered by the course. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
3. Are able to analyse sustainability data and use it to establish a sustainable or environmental policy for the company. (PILO 4b, PILO 4a)
4. Critically analyse and evaluate the complex field of sustainable development with a focus on environmental issues. (PILO 4b, PILO 2c)
5. Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to analyse and interpret data for sustainable development, enabling them to make critical judgements for the design and implementation of sustainable policies and to explore alternative approaches. (PILO 2b, PILO 4b)
6. Able to critically synthesise information in the field of sustainable development and see the useful value of such information in a company's development strategy. (PILO 4b, PILO 2a)
7. Are able to take an effective multidisciplinary approach to analysis, problem solving and solution finding. (PILO 2a)
8. Develop the ability to make judgements and thus integrate multidisciplinary knowledge more effectively into business decisions. PILO 2a)
9. Skilled for working independently and as a team leader or member, proposing professional and responsible initiatives for comprehensive solutions to environmental problems. (PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Student in this course:
1. Develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of the importance of data for sustainable development in business. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
2. Are aware of the broader ethical, social and environmental issues in the areas covered by the course. (PILO 4a, PILO 2b)
3. Are able to analyse sustainability data and use it to establish a sustainable or environmental policy for the company. (PILO 4b, PILO 4a)
4. Critically analyse and evaluate the complex field of sustainable development with a focus on environmental issues. (PILO 4b, PILO 2c)
5. Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to analyse and interpret data for sustainable development, enabling them to make critical judgements for the design and implementation of sustainable policies and to explore alternative approaches. (PILO 2b, PILO 4b)
6. Able to critically synthesise information in the field of sustainable development and see the useful value of such information in a company's development strategy. (PILO 4b, PILO 2a)
7. Are able to take an effective multidisciplinary approach to analysis, problem solving and solution finding. (PILO 2a)
8. Develop the ability to make judgements and thus integrate multidisciplinary knowledge more effectively into business decisions. PILO 2a)
9. Skilled for working independently and as a team leader or member, proposing professional and responsible initiatives for comprehensive solutions to environmental problems. (PILO 3c)
The PILO label (i.e., Programme Intended Learning Outcomes) defines the contribution of each listed intended learning outcome of a course towards achieving the general and/or subject-specific competencies or learning outcomes acquired through the programme.
Readings
TEMELJNA LITERATURA / TEXTBOOK
Sonnemann, G. in M. Margni (Eds.) (2015). Life Cycle Management. Springer, Dordrecht. Pridobljeno 26. aprila 2023: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1.
Dodatni viri / Supplement literature
Radonjič, G , M. Denac. Zbrano gradivo za predmet Podatki za trajnostnost v poslovanju podjetij. Ekonomsko-poslovna fakulteta Maribor / Radonjič, G., M. Denac. Sustainability data in business. Compendium. Faculty of Economics and Business Maribor.
Nilsson L., P.O. Persson, L. Ryden, S. Darozhka, A. Zaliauskiene (2007). Cleaner Production – Technologies and Tools for Resource Efficient Production. Book 2 in a series on Environmental Management. Baltic University Press, Uppsala.
Idowu, S. O., M. Del Baldo (Eds) (2019). Integrated Reporting: Antecedents and Perspectives for Organizations and Stakeholders. Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Brinkmann. R. (2020). Environmental Sustainability in a Time of Change. Palgrave Macmillan. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Capaldi, N., S. O. Idowu, R. Schmidpeter, M. Brueckner (Eds) (2019). Responsible Business in Uncertain Times and for a Sustainable Future. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • written examination (70%)
• project work (30%)
Written examination - student must collect in total at least 56% of maximum grade.
Project work - assessment incorporates project work preparation, engagement in classroom discussions and project presentation within the group, team work on project
