Download Saint Louis University - Sustainable Business Operations DSCI 493

Sustainable Business Operations
DSCI 493/593
Saint Louis University
John Cook School of Business
Spring, 2012
Instructor
Dr. Mark Ferris
Department of Decision Sciences and ITM
DS-457: 977-3809
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Wednesdays 5 to 6 pm I am also available by email, but give me at least
24 hours to respond, although I may be able to respond sooner.
Readings
Readings will be assigned throughout the semester. This is a “Living Syllabus.” The
problem is not too little information, but too much. As the semester goes along we will be
jointly evaluating the readings and adding some and subtracting others. This will be part
of the class participation component. I have made an initial list of readings and resources
that is by no means final. One of the things that I hope to construct is a set of resources
that you can be used in the future.
Course Objectives and Description
Green business operations and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in the
US and global economy as companies attempt to grapple with competing pressures in
order to deliver goods and services in an environment where scarce natural and energy
resources, pollution regulations, population growth and climate change are driving
corporate decision-making. Thos businesses who adapt to this new environment will be
better positioned to succeed in the global economy where demand for “green” products is
increasing exponentially. Environment and energy constraints are becoming increasingly
in company’s efforts to manage their operations here and abroad. In addition, social
responsibility has become the watchword in many a corporate boardroom. In as much as
companies can lower their costs relative to their competitors and differentiate their
products and services the chances of business success will increase greatly. This course is
designed as a survey of green business operating principles, sustainability, and social
responsibility issues that will impact decision-making of the business leaders of the
future.
Homework
Homework in the form of two-three page papers throughout the semester will be
assigned. There are expectations for strong academic/business writing quality.
Examinations
Exams are open book and open note. Exams build on previous material. There is a
midterm and a final. The final exam is comprehensive.
Final Project
The final project will involve a short written paper along with a short in-class
presentation. Requirements and topics will be covered during the first third of the class in
order to give students a chance to prepare.
Grading
Computing your final grade for the course will be determined as follows:
Midterm
Final
Participation
Homwork
Final Project
30%
35%
05%
20%
10%
Learning Objectives

Students shall be able to explain what a theory means.

Students shall be able to summarize the issues with regard to the current state of
the discussion regarding climate change.

Students shall be able to understand and explain in plain language the “Tragedy of
the Commons.”

Students shall be able to list and explain four motivations for businesses to engage
in sustainable business operations.

Students shall be able to list and explain three problems with regard to the
measurement of sustainable operations.

Students shall be able to summarize the influence of Environmental NGO’s on the
sustainability movement.

Students shall be able to identify the characteristics of a “green” supply chain

Students shall be able to summarize the role that the LEED system plays in
sustainability in the built environment.

Students shall be able to write a short report on an assigned sustainability topic
and make a cogent presentation to the entire class.
Academic Integrity
It is the policy of the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University that the
“Giving and Receiving of unauthorized assistance on any graded exercise constitutes
academic dishonesty and may result in grade reductions and/or probation, suspension, or
dismissal.”
Attendance and Participation
Class attendance is important for understanding course material and will be recorded. Be
ready to give a considered answer when called upon as class participation plays an
integral role in creating an enhanced learning environment. In order to engage in active
learning, small group problem solving will be a regularly scheduled part of class.
Classroom Environment
Cell phones need to be turned off . Notebook computers are to be used for course related
purposes only. If you need to leave early or if you can’t make class please notify me
ahead of time. Thanks for your cooperation.
Academic Accommodations
Students who believe that, due to the impact of a disability, they may need academic
accommodations in order to meet the requirements of this, or any other class at Saint
Louis University are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office at 977-8885 or
should visit the Busch Student Center, Suite 331 (Student Success Center).
Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.
Schedule
Week
1.
Topics, Readings, and Resources
Introduction & Overview
Kuhn, Thomas S. (1996) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Third Ed. University of
Chicago Press, Chicago and London. (Chapters 1&2: Introduction a Role for History, The
Route to Normal Science)
Senge, Peter (2008) The Necessary Revolution: Working Together to Create a
Sustainable World, Broadway Books, NY, NY. (Chapter 8: Risks and Opportunities: The
Business Rationale for Sustainability)
Edwards, Andres R. (2005) The Sustainability Revolution: Portrait of a Paradigm Shift,
New Society Publishers, BC, Canada. (Chapters 1&3: The Birth of Sustainablity,
Sustainability and Commerce)
2.
Climate Change Science: Theory and Controversy
Oreskes, Naomi (2004) “The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change,” Science, Vol.
306, No. 5702, p. 1686.
Informationisbeautiful.net, ‘The Global Warming Skeptics vs. Scientific Consensus,”
Website address:
http://www.duncancarroll.com/lulz/?Qwd=.&Qif=climate_skeptics_960.gif&Qiv=thumbs
&Qis=FS
Coyne, Jerry (2009) Why Evolution is True, Penguin Books, London. (Chapters
Intro,1&2: Introduction, What is Evolution? Written in the Rocks)
Pew Center on Global Climate Change (2011) “Climate Change 101: Understanding and
Responding to Global Climate Change,” Alexandria, VA.
http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/climate101-fullbook_0.pdf
3.
Economic Forces and Sustainability
Hardin, Garrett (1968) “The Tragedy of the Commons,” Science, Vol. 162, pp. 12431248.
Koomey, Jonathon, and Krause, Florentine (1997) Introduction to Environmental
Externality Costs, CRC Handbook on Energy Efficiency, CRC Press, Inc, FL.
http://enduse.lbl.gov/info/Externalities.pdf
Elkington, John (1997) Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century
Business, Capstone Publishing Ltd. Oxford, UK.
Hawken, Paul (1993) The Ecology of Commerce, Collins Business, New York, NY.
(Chapters 1, 2, 3)
4.
Business Motivations for Sustainable Operations
Esty, Daniel and Winston, Andrew S. (2006) From Green to Gold, Yale University Press,
New Haven and London. (Chapters 1&2: Eco-Advantage, Natural Drivers of the Green
Wave)
Hart, Stewart L. (1997) “Beyond Greening: Strategies for a Sustainable World,” Harvard
Business Review, January-February, Reprint 97105, Harvard School Press, Boston.
http://www.stuartlhart.com/sites/stuartlhart.com/files/Beyond%20Greening%20PDF_0.pd
f
Packard, Kimberly O’Neill and Reinhardt, Forest (2000) “What Every Executive Needs
to Know About Global Warming,” Harvard Business Review, July-August, Reprint
R00409, Harvard School Press, Boston.
5.
Measurement Issues in Sustainability (ask Weimin)
Box, George (June, 1999) “Statistics as a Catalyst to Learning by Scientific Method Part
II-Discussion, Report No. 172, Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement,
University of Wisconsin. Pp3-5.
http://cqpi.engr.wisc.edu/system/files/r172.pdf
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, “Carbon Emissions Measurement and Verification: What you
need to know.”
http://www.deloitte.com/assets/DcomCostaRica/Local%20Assets/Documents/Servicios/RCS/100830cr_RCS_Carbon_emissions_measurement_and_verification.pdf
Gould, Stephen Jay, “The Median is not the Message.” Harvard University.
http://cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html
Tufte, Edward (2006) Beautiful Evidence, Graphics Press LLC, Cheshire, Connecticut
Desvaux, Martin (2007) “The Sustainability of Human Populations,” Significance:
Statistics Making Sense, September, Vol. 4, Issue 3, Royal Statistical Society, UK.
Smaje, Chris (2011) “The Ungreen City or the Polluting Countryside,” Significance:
Statistics Making Sense, June, Vol. 8, Issue 2, Royal Statistical Society. UK.
6.
The History and Role of Environmental NGO’s
Carson, Rachel (1962) Silent Spring, Houghton Mifflin, NY, NY.
Leopold, Aldo (1949) A Sand County Almanac, Oxford University Press, UK.
Reinhardt, Forrest (2003) “Environmental Defense,” Harvard Business School Case,
793-037.
WalMart works with Environmental Defense Fund.
http://business.edf.org/projects/walmart
7.
International Actors: United Nations, European Union, and China
D. Gallagher, (2010) The UN Global Compact Environmental Stewardship Strategy,
Research Report and Recommendations prepared for the United Nations Global Compact
Leaders Summit, New York City, June 24-25, 2010.
http://www.leaderssummit2010.org/bebruga/leaderssummit2010/files/2010GlobalCompactLeadersSummitReport.pdf
Pew Center for Global Climate Change, (2011) “Climate Change 101: International
Action.” Alexandria Virginia.
http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/climate101-fullbook_0.pdf
EU Sustainable Development Strategy (2009)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/
Pollution in China: Man-Made and Visible in Space (2012) February 1. The Economist.
EXAM 1
8.
The Built Environment (LEED)
Doughtery, Brooks (2010) “The Role of LEED Building Rating System in Higher
Education: Recent Trends and Status,” United States Green Building Council. (USGBC).
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=8437
The New Sustainable Frontier: Principles of Sustainable Development (2009) U.S.
General Services Administration.
http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/ogp/2009_New_Sustainable_Frontier_Complete_Guide.pdf
9.
Green Supply Chains
Kleindorfer, Paul R., Singhal, Kalyan, Wassenhove, (2005) “Sustainable Operations
Management,” Production and Operations Management, Winter, Vol. 14, Issue 4, pg
482.
WalMart our Seven Areas of Focus, The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
http://business.edf.org/projects/walmart/walmart-our-seven-areas-focus
Blanco, Edgar and Sheffi, Yossi (2010) “Building on Supply Chains that Deliver on the
Green Promise,” Harvard Business Review, October. Harvard Business School
Publishing, Boston.
http://thenewlogistics.ups.com/cdn/enUS/whitepapers/1_08_rdl_the_green_promise_relateddownload.pdf
10.
Business Operations: Recycling, Reuse, Waste
Lehrer, Justin (2011) “7 Success Stories from the Journey to Zero Waste,” GreenBiz.com.
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/11/18/7-success-stories-journey-zero-waste
Pagell, Mark, Murphy, Nagesh, and Wu, Zhoahui (2007) The Supply Chain Implications
of Recycling, Business Horizons, Vol. 50, pp. 133-143.
http://www70.homepage.villanova.edu/matthew.liberatore/CMB8050/Pagell2007.pdf
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wastes Home (Resource Center)
http://www.epa.gov/osw/
11.
Power Generation/Public Utilities/Renewables
EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) (2005) “Electricity, the Economy, and
Environmental Sustainability,” Palo Alto, CA.
http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=387&&PageID=225886&mode=2
&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true
U. S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Resource
Center)
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
12.
Student Presentations
13.
Summary and Conclusions
Final Exam Time
Wednesday, May 9, 6:30-8:30.
Conclusion
I am looking forward to the upcoming course. Your participation will either make or
break the course. The breadth of this topic is much too wide to attempt to cover the entire
field of sustainable business operations in one class. What immediately becomes clear is
that it is both a multi-faceted and multi-disciplined field. It combines science, economics,
policy and business. The purpose of this class is to give students a high-level
understanding of the role and motivation that sustainability plays in business operations.
Based on this understanding the student will be able to find the relevant resources to work
and study in their particular area of interest.