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Corporate Sustainability and Technology
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:40
Abstract
The lecture "Corporate Sustainability and Technology" describes environmental and social challenges for companies and identifies practically relevant recommendations for action. A special focus is put on the key role of technology and its sustainability-oriented design. The lecture will be interactive and includes presentations by guest speakers, case studies, and practical examples.
Objective
- Understanding sustainability and, as a consequence, recognizing the need of societal action in the light of current ecological, social, and economical trends - Getting to know the basic ideas and models how companies and society are connected - Recognizing the meaning of sustainability for companies; understanding their strategies regarding sustainability and developing example strategies - Getting to know and applying the concepts and tools for implementing sustainability
Content
Introduction to sustainability: Why Sustainability, Historical Review, Swiss Aproch to Sustainability, Strong and weak conceptions, Macro-indicators and Problems; Corporate Sustainability: Corporate citizenship, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate governance, Corporate sustainability, Shareholder vs. Stakeholder, History of corporate approaches to envrionmental issues; Sustainability & Market Development: Greening Goliaths vs. Multiplying Davids; From Eco Niche to Mass Market; Sustainability & Technology Assessment: End-of-pipe versus integrated environmental protection, Industrial Ecology, Innovation and relation to sustainability, Life Cycle Analysis, Design for Environment Sustainability & Industrial Ecology Sustainability & Technology Management Sustainability & Finance CO2-Constraints, Kyoto Protocol, Emission Trading
Resources
Lecture Notes
All presentation slides will be distributed at the beginning of the semester
Literature
Literature recommendations will be distributed during the lecture.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , DS , NDS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Corporate Sustainability and Technology |
|
2 h weekly |