Business Models for Sustainability

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with knowledge about how sustainability issues are becoming e strategic for companies and how the financial sector is also incorporating such challenges. The course aims to inspire students to embrace new and emergent trends in the management and economics area such as humanistic management theory, sustainable finance and sustainable development goals.


General characterization

Code

2478

Credits

3,5

Responsible teacher

Sofia Santos

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Main Bibliography: Business Models for Sustainability by Peter E. Wells, 2013, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.

Teaching method

Each class will start with a 15 minutes brainstorming about last class key issues and readings. Students will be evaluated on their participation.

Following this period, each class will have presentation done by the teacher, who will use videos, and will encourage short brainstorming moments with the students.

Evaluation method

Grade breakdown:

  • Group Assignment – 30%

  • Quality of the participation in class – 20%

  • Mandatory Final Exam lasting 1h30 hours – 50%

About the Group Assignment.

In groups, students will have to:

  • Write a 5-page document about the group assignment.

  • Present in class and in 7 minutes max, the main messages.

Subject matter

  • Class 1

    Key differences between Mainstream Business Models and Business Models for Sustainability;

  • Class 2

    The international agenda that is pushing business models to consider sustainability;

    Presentation from a Portuguese Company;

  • Class 3

    The international agenda that is pushing business models to consider sustainability;

  • Class 4

    Responses from countries and companies to the international agenda;

    Presentation from a Portuguese Company;

  • Class 5

    Green Economy and business;

  • Class 6

    Circular Economy and business;

    Presentation from a Portuguese Company;

  • Class 7

    The link between Nature and Business: Biodiversity and business continuity; Biomimicry and Business Models;

    Presentation from a Portuguese Company;

  • Class 8

    Financial Markets and Sustainability;

  • Class 9

    Financial Markets and Sustainability;

  • Class 10

    Governance Models for Sustainability;

  • Class 11

    Humanistic Management Theory;

  • Class 12

    Group Presentation.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: