Sustainable Business Practices Model – James Hope University
Leadership, Management, and Strategy
Sustainable Business Practices Model

Date : TBA

Duration : 2 Days

Course Fee : ₦TBA

Sustainable Business Practice Model aims to educate business owners on the principles of sustainability and how they can be integrated into various aspects of business operations. Below is a course outline for a Sustainable Business Practices model:

Course Description:

This course explores the concept of sustainability and its application in the business context, focusing on environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Students will learn how to develop and implement sustainable strategies in organisations.

  • Introduction to Sustainability in Business
    • Defining sustainability
    • Historical perspective of sustainability
    • Business case for sustainability Triple bottom line (People, Planet, Profit)
  • Environmental Sustainability
    • Environmental challenges and impacts
    • Sustainable resource management
    • Energy efficiency and renewable energy
    • Sustainable product design and lifecycle assessment
  • Social Sustainability
    • Social responsibility and ethics
    • Stakeholder engagement and management
    • Diversity and inclusion in the workplace, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
  • Economic Sustainability
    • Sustainable business models
    • Cost-benefit analysis of sustainability initiatives
    • Sustainable finance and investment
    • Circular economy and waste reduction
  • Sustainable Business Strategy
    • Integrating sustainability into business strategy
    • Sustainability reporting and disclosure
    • Sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship
    • Sustainable business certifications and standards
  • Sustainability Implementation and Case Studies
    • Implementing sustainability initiatives in organisations
    • Case studies of sustainable businesses
    • Best practices and lessons learned
    • Group projects and presentations
  • Future Trends and Challenges
    • Emerging trends in sustainable business
    • Global challenges and opportunities
    • Role of government and policy in sustainability
    • Final assessments and reflections

A course on Sustainable Business Practices would benefit a wide range of individuals and professionals from various backgrounds who are interested in understanding and promoting sustainability within the business context. Anyone who aspires to work in management, marketing, finance, or any other related field can benefit from understanding how sustainability principles can be integrated into business strategies.

Entrepreneurs, Business Professionals, Environmentalists and Sustainability Advocates, Government and NGO Personnel, Consultants and Advisors, Educators and Researchers in the fields of business, economics, and environmental science, Investors and Fund Managers interested in sustainable and responsible investment opportunities, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Professionals, CSR professionals responsible for developing and implementing corporate sustainability strategies, Anyone Interested in Sustainability who have a general interest in sustainability and its role in the business world.

The course is designed to be accessible to a diverse audience, as sustainability is a multidisciplinary field that intersects with various sectors and industries. It offers valuable knowledge and skills that can be applied across different career paths and industries, making it suitable for a wide range of participants with an interest in sustainability and business.

Participants who attend a course on Sustainable Business Practices can benefit in numerous ways, as it equips them with valuable knowledge, skills, and perspectives that can be applied across various career paths and industries. Here are some of the key benefits that attendees can expect:

  1. Solid understanding of sustainability concepts, including environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
  2. Ability to integrate sustainability into business strategy, enabling them to identify opportunities and risks associated with sustainability issues and make informed strategic decisions.
  3. Gain a competitive edge in the marketplace by meeting the growing demand for socially and environmentally responsible products and services.
  4. Opportunity to explore sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship, learning how to develop and market sustainable products and services that address pressing global challenges.
  5. Enhances stakeholder engagement and responsible business practices that can help attendees build strong relationships with customers, employees, investors, and communities.
  6. Emphasizes ethical considerations in business operations, equipping attendees with the tools to make ethical decisions and navigate complex ethical dilemmas.
  7. Participants will learn to identify and manage sustainability-related risks, reducing potential liabilities and enhancing organisational resilience.
  8. Knowledge of sustainable resource management and energy efficiency can help organisations reduce operational costs and minimize their environmental footprint.
  9. Participants will understand the principles of sustainability reporting and disclosure, which can enhance transparency and accountability in organisations.
  10. Knowledge of sustainability enhances career prospects, as many employers value sustainability knowledge and skills in various roles and industries.
  11. Offer opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, experts, and organisations in the sustainability field, expanding participants’ networks and collaboration opportunities.
  12. Beyond professional benefits, attendees may experience personal growth and a deeper sense of purpose by aligning their values with their work and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Overall, attending a course on Sustainable Business Practices can provide participants with the tools and insights needed to play a meaningful role in advancing sustainability within organisations, communities, and society at large while also enhancing their career prospects and personal growth.

  • Gerber, M. E. (1995). The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. HarperCollins Publishers.
  • Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. Wiley.
  • Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business.
  • Sarni, W., & Tablan, T. (2020). Sustainable Business: An Executive’s Primer. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Journal Articles

  • Briscoe, F., Gupta, A., & Haigh, N. (2017). Sustainability and Competitive Advantage: Theoretical Frameworks and Empirical Evidence. Organisation & Environment, 30(4), 261-284.Najmaei, A., Hockerts, K., & Weiss, M. F. (2019). Sustainable Business Models: Innovation, Implementation, and Success Factors. Long Range Planning, 52(6), 101884.
  • Carroll, A. B., & Shabana, K. M. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct. Business & Society, 49(1), 8-27.
  • Hart, S. L., & Gustafsson, B. L. (2007). Environmental Sustainability in Business: A Case Study on Carbon Neutrality at Interface, Inc. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 26, 37-48.
  • Henriques, A., & Richardson, J. (2004). The Triple Bottom Line: What Is It and How Does It Work? Business Ethics: A European Review, 13(4), 377-385.
  • Academic journals and articles on sustainability topics.
  • Industry reports and publications on sustainable business practices.
  • Guest speakers from sustainable businesses or organisations.