Impacts of Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains

Impacts of Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains

This course is part of Sustainable and Resilient Operations and Supply Chains Specialization

Instructor: Christy Bozic, PhD, PMP

What you'll learn

Analyze Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to develop sustainable business strategies.
Evaluate tools used to measure and communicate environmental performance and impacts.
Develop actionable strategies to ensure compliance with international labor standards, uphold human rights and promote ethical labor practices.
Develop strategies to foster supplier partnerships that prioritize ethical sourcing, transparency, and shared sustainability goals.

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Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Sustainable and Resilient Operations and Supply Chains Specialization

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There are 4 modules in this course

Now more than ever, companies need experts to shape the future of global supply chains and make a lasting difference in advancing sustainability and corporate responsibility. Innovative companies such as Siemens Digital Industries Software recognize these challenges and have partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder to create this course to provide a comprehensive exploration of sustainable operations and supply chain management through the lenses of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks.

This third course in the Sustainable and Resilient Operations and Supply Chains Specialization emphasizes effective communication of sustainability initiatives and the use of tools like Lifecycle Assessments to evaluate environmental performance. You will also explore global reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance accountability and address pressing global challenges such as ethical labor practices and corporate responsibility in global supply chains. This course also provides an in-depth analysis of building partnerships for sustainable operations, emphasizing sustainable procurement, supplier collaboration, and ethical sourcing. Topics include fair trade practices, human rights, and compliance with international standards, equipping learners with strategies to foster equitable labor practices and enhance supply chain resilience. This course was developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software and is part of the "Design for the Circular Economy" collection. Learners who complete and pass the course can receive an industry-recognized digital badge. The “Design for the Circular Economy” microcredential and graduate certificate are developed around the educational goals of providing technical, business, and leadership knowledge and skills that inspire the transformation towards a more circular economy. This includes gaining technical knowledge to apply circular economy principles in product design, minimizing waste and maximizing impact; developing business acumen to implement innovative circular economic models that prioritize sustainability and resilience; and acquiring leadership strategies to communicate effectively and inspire change within an organization. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Welcome to Impacts of Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains. This first module introduces the course and how it operates. You will learn about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, examining their foundation principles, evolution, and strategic applications in business. The module emphasizes the practical aspects of implementing and measuring CSR, exploring the complexities of balancing stakeholder expectations, developing robust metrics, and addressing challenges like greenwashing. Real-world case studies illustrate how companies can integrate CSR and ESG principles while balancing growth with sustainability.

What's included

12 videos6 readings2 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

12 videosTotal 71 minutes

Design for the Circular Economy: Program Overview5 minutesPreview module
Introduction to the Course2 minutes
Corporate Social Responsibility6 minutes
Foundations of Corporate Social Responsibility7 minutes
Challenges of Implementing CSR8 minutes
An Introduction to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)5 minutes
An Example of CSR vs ESG6 minutes
Sustainability Strategy6 minutes
Materiality Assessment6 minutes
Sustainability Governance within the Organization5 minutes
Stakeholders & Partnerships6 minutes
Let's Hear from the Experts: Katharina Raimann5 minutes

6 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Welcome to Design for the Circular Economy15 minutes
More About Siemens10 minutes
Welcome and Where to Find Help10 minutes
Patagonia's Paradox: Navigating CSR, Consumerism, and Greenwashing15 minutes
Developing a Corporate Sustainability Strategy30 minutes
Select a Sustainability Report30 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Corporate Social Responsibility15 minutes
End of Module 1 Graded Assessment30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 150 minutes

Evaluate a Sustainability Report150 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 45 minutes

Beyond the Ad: Evaluating CSR Efforts, Impacts, and Stakeholder Conflicts45 minutes

This module introduces key concepts in sustainability, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, and effective communication of sustainability initiatives. You will explore how tools such as Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) can be used to evaluate and communicate environmental performance. This module examines how reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) enhance accountability and address global challenges.

What's included

11 videos3 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 72 minutes

What to Measure8 minutesPreview module
How to Measure6 minutes
Life Cycle Assessment4 minutes
Frameworks, Standards, & Protocols5 minutes
Common Reporting Frameworks8 minutes
Let's Hear from the Experts: Philip Ankel3 minutes
ESG Reporting Assurance2 minutes
Let's Hear from the Experts: Stacy Mahler3 minutes
Communicating Sustainability Performance9 minutes
Tools for Data Collection & Communication13 minutes
Communicating Performance — Internally and Externally7 minutes

3 readingsTotal 85 minutes

Environmental Product Declarations10 minutes
Exploring Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declarations30 minutes
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) 45 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Measuring Environmental Impact15 minutes
Sustainability Frameworks, Standards & Protocols20 minutes
End of Module 2 Graded Assessment40 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Sustainability Report Comparison60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 25 minutes

Integrating ESG Frameworks with Corporate Sustainability Reports25 minutes

This module explores the critical role of ethical labor practices and corporate responsibility in global supply chains. It addresses the challenges businesses face in navigating complex regulatory and operational environments to uphold human rights and fair labor standards. The module emphasizes the transformative impact of fair trade practices, such as fair pricing, ethical labor standards, and sustainability, on supply chains and their contributions to corporate social responsibility. By analyzing real-world scenarios, you will develop actionable strategies to ensure compliance with international standards, foster equitable labor practices, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of supply chains in diverse industries.

What's included

5 videos7 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 28 minutes

Social Impacts6 minutesPreview module
Human Rights4 minutes
Labor Rights, Global Standards, & Ethical Operations11 minutes
Unsafe Working Conditions4 minutes
Fair Trade Intro1 minute

7 readingsTotal 97 minutes

The UN Global Compact15 minutes
United Nation’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights15 minutes
Apple’s Commitment to Human Rights 25 minutes
The International Labour Organization10 minutes
Fair Trade Starts with You12 minutes
Fair Trade Certifications and Labels10 minutes
Fair Trade: How Does it Work?10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 140 minutes

Social Impacts and Human Rights20 minutes
Fair Labor in Operations and Supply Chain Management20 minutes
Is Fair Trade a Fair Trade?60 minutes
End of Module 3 Graded Assessment40 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 45 minutes

Comparative Reflection on Human Rights45 minutes

This module examines the critical role of partnerships in driving sustainable operations and building resilient supply chains. It explores the principles and practices of sustainable procurement, the development and enforcement of supplier codes of conduct, and strategies for fostering collaborative, long-term relationships with suppliers. In this module you will analyze tools and frameworks that facilitate ethical sourcing, transparency, and accountability. Through case studies and activities, you will gain insights into aligning supplier incentives with sustainability goals, managing compliance challenges, and leveraging innovation to enhance supply chain sustainability. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to create and manage partnerships that balance business objectives with environmental and social responsibility.