BUS-P 316 Sustainable Operations
This course focuses on the critical role that operations play in the long-term sustainability of an Enterprise as define by an eco-system. It takes an enterprise through its sustainability journey, from the low-hanging fruit of waste reduction to the ultimate goal of a circular economy, where resources that are consumed in the production and delivery of products and services are recovered and cycled back into supply chains in an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable manner. In addition to a reverse logistics system, implementing a circular economy requires an appropriate product and/or service design, and a related business model that ensures long-term success, which may involve selling a service instead of a product. The course will begin by introducing Operations Management (OM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) including sourcing, logistics, packaging and manufacturing. Across the semester we will blend-in the latest sustainability practices including lean, LEED, renewable energy sources, EV and closed loop. The course will then discuss the intricacies of sustainable measurement including environmental management systems, ISO 14001 and ESG and carbon footprinting. We apply this knowledge using life cycle assessment (LCA) and design for environment (DfE) to map and reduce an organization's total carbon footprint equivalent. Across the semester we discuss the financial implications of balancing people, planet and profit.