SUMA - Sustainability Management

Course Descriptions

SUMA 5000 Introduction to Sustainability (3)

In this course, students will examine sustainability from different perspectives and explore the complicated relationships in our natural, social and economic systems. In addition, students are required to delve into the different challenges faced by various organizations and analyze the changes needed to incorporate sustainability into business development. Via case studies, students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to initiate and facilitate the transition towards a sustainable future.   

SUMA 5100 Sustainability Leadership for People, Planet, and Profit (3)

The course introduces sustainability leadership and a new way to measure organizational success using the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit). The main section of the course covers the strategic leadership competencies and processes required to lead organizations for sustainable development. The similarities and differences between the leadership of sustainability in existing businesses versus start-ups will be explored, as well as pivotal leadership communication about sustainability as a value creation model. Prerequisite: SUMA 5000.

SUMA 5200 Sustainable Design & Operations Management (3)

This course provides participants with frameworks and methods to design and operate sustainable product service systems. While acquiring theoretical knowledge, the students will practice the new dictionary into real-world design and operations management in class. They are challenged to propose sustainability improvements in common supply and service network cases and to evaluate different sustainability solutions from the industry perspective. Prerequisite: SUMA 5000.

SUMA 5300 Sustainability Strategy and Decision Making (3)

Sustainability has become a critical factor in modern strategy and decision-making as organizations navigate local and global policies addressing climate change. The course is focused on strategic thinking and considers how, in line with global targets, strategies are developed for (i) organizations transitioning towards climate neutrality and (ii) start-up organizations seeking business opportunities in sustainable development. Prerequisite: SUMA 5000.

SUMA 5400 Circular Economy (3)

The circular economy model aims to replace the traditional linear economy model, which follows a take-make-waste approach, with a circular model that promotes a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient use of resources. Transition towards a circular economy is one of the greatest challenges in creating a more sustainable society. Students in this course will learn about the theoretical concept of the circular economy and explore real life examples of circular businesses. Students will also examine the difference between circular economy and other sustainable concepts (such as doughnut economics and biobased economy). Prerequisite: SUMA 5000.

SUMA 5500 Law and Governance for Sustainability (3)

This course aims to provide an overview of laws and regulations on sustainability that impact today's global business environment. Students are required to analyze the regulatory framework on corporate governance to assess how companies can incorporate sustainability into business development. The course places a strong focus on EU laws and regulations, including EU environmental regulations and the newly introduced Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSDR). Prerequisite: SUMA 5000.

SUMA 6100 ESG Practices in the Market (3)

This course introduces sustainable investing by integrating environmental, social, and governance factors in equity investment risk-return considerations for institutional investors. The main objective is to distinguish each of those sustainability factors and appraise their relationships with investment opportunities. This objective also includes understanding stakeholders' demands to enhance sustainability credentials, including the current developments in government regulations on sustainable investing. Prerequisite: SUMA 5000, BUSN 5200.

SUMA 6200 Sustainability in Action (3)

How do we know whether a company is indeed contributing to sustainable development? In this course, students will learn to measure and audit the sustainability performance of an organization and benchmark it against industrial leaders or/and competitors. The course will focus on sustainability measurement to critically evaluate a company’s sustainability performance. It also highlights the importance of auditing and benchmarking a company's sustainability performance to adjust its sustainable development goals and business strategies. Prerequisite:SUMA 5000, SUMA 5100, SUMA 5200, SUMA 5300, SUMA 5400, SUMA 5500, SUMA 6100, ENMG 6120, MNGT 5990, BUSN 5200.