Global sustainability challenges are shaping the way business operates in the 21st century. Businesses are under increasing pressure from multiple stakeholders to manage their positive and negative impacts with clear responsibility and strategic intent. 

Leading firms are choosing to respond to these challenges by generating sustainable value propositions to ultimately drive competitive advantage. For many this has meant re-engaging at the level of purpose and re-addressing their role in wider society and for human well-being.

This course outlines the major sustainability challenges and explores the capabilities organisations require to respond positively to them. It will engage you in gaining a better understanding of how corporate action can be best configured to promote responsible and sustainable business strategies. In doing so, it will demand business managers and leaders to reflect on the long-standing debate about whether or not ‘the business of business, is still business?


At a glance

  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost

    £1,400

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Identify global environmental and social trends and relate how these present both challenges and opportunities to business,
  • Explain why businesses need to respond to these challenges and opportunities and assess the capabilities they require to do so,
  • Classify the potential stakeholder groups businesses can work with to develop and implement their sustainability strategies and compare collaboration approaches,
  • Consider the role of personal leadership in an organisation's values, strategic direction and ability to execute its sustainability strategy,
  • Critically assess the content and reporting of businesses’ sustainability strategies,
  • Design and recommend a sustainability-oriented innovation for a selected business.

Core content

Part 1: Setting the context

  • Context setting,
  • What is managing corporate sustainability?
  • Social and environmental trends,
  • The role of business,
  • What is the role of business?
  • Challenges and opportunities for business,
  • Exploring possible futures,
  • Playing ‘The Game of Life 2050;’ an interactive future sustainable scenario board game.

Part 2: Developing the capabilities

  • Creating a vision,
  • Formulating and implementing strategy,
  • Innovating,
  • Working with stakeholders,
  • Collaborating,
  • Valuing,
  • Leading.

Speakers

Dr Rosina Watson

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.