Sustainable Business Management
In an Arthur D. Little survey of 481 companies, 95% of responding executives counted sustainable development as important to their business future. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a coalition of 165 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development around the world, promoting eco-efficiency and sustainable management of people and the environment.
Sustainable management requires understanding and integrating economic success, environmental quality, and social equity. Tools such as ecofootprints(1), material intensity per service (MIPS)(2), and material flow analysis (MFA)(3) highlight current problems (undesirable social and environmental impacts) and help measure progress.
The Concentration in Sustainable Management typically includes four courses:
- Sustainable management
- Sustainable marketing
- Environmental management reporting
- Leadership for the triple bottom line
The focus of business is changing from short term financial gains, next quarter pro forma profit(4) only, to long term appreciation of economic, social and natural capital: the triple bottom line. This revolution will create many opportunities for entrepreneurs who create businesses, services and products that enhance sustainability and improve people’s lives.
The challenge for all companies is defining a sustainable vision; setting measurable goals; and designing and implementing strategies that will improve operations.
Alliant International University and Presidio World College now offer an MBA in sustainable management; currently available only in San Francisco, where the first cohort of students started this fall, with Hunter Lovins, co-author of Natural Capitalism, as one of the instructors. Sustainable business courses are also available at the Marshall Goldsmith School of Management in San Diego, CA.
View our suggested readings on Sustainable Business Management.
(1)Ecofootprints measure our resource impacts (2)MIPS show the resource impacts of materials (3)MFA develops material accounts, where does it come from and where does it go (4)The often illusory numbers created by creative corporate accounting, it might be good to ask what their clean surplus is instead, or their triple bottom line.
