Syllabus

Title
4071 Sustainable Operations
Instructors
Charlotte Both, MSc., Univ.Prof. Dr. Miriam Wilhelm
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/18/25 to 03/02/25
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Monday 03/10/25 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.5.02
Monday 03/17/25 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.4.13
Monday 03/24/25 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.5.02
Monday 03/31/25 08:45 AM - 11:45 AM TC.4.13
Monday 04/07/25 08:45 AM - 11:45 AM TC.4.13
Monday 04/28/25 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM D2.0.392
Contents

Week 1: Introduction and Fundamentals of Sustainability in Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM)

Week 2, 3: Environmental Sustainability in OSCM (circular supply chains, measuring carbon emissions, biodiversity) 

Week 4: Social Sustainability in OSCM (Occupational Health & Safety, decent work in supply chains, forced labour) 

Week 5: Presentation of group assignments 

Week 6: Written examination

 

 

Learning outcomes

In this course the students will learn the basic concepts of sustainability in the context of Operations and Supply Chain Management.
After completing the course, students will be able to understand the basic concepts of the triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental pillars). They will have a deeper understanding of environmental and social sustainability concepts, including their differences and drivers in global operations and supply chains. Students will critically reflect on the interactions between economic, environmental, and social systems in a global setting. They will be able to apply these concepts in different contexts of supply chain and operations management.
Through a group project, students can also critically evaluate what sustainability activities firms and their supply chains engage in in practice. They will assess these practices using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting standards. They will present and discuss their findings in class, helping them to build and strengthen their English communication and presentation skills. 
As a related aim, students will also learn how to work in diverse teams and how to deal with political, cultural, and linguistic differences. 

Attendance requirements

Attendance is required in all sessions. Absence in one session is tolerated if a reasonable excuse is given before the session. 

 

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • Lectures in sessions 
  • On-demand video lectures
  • Group project carried out by a gender-diverse and multinational team  
  • Preparation of cases, journal articles and summaries
  • Discussions during class
  • Classroom presentations
Assessment

Exam (individual) - 30%

Classroom participation grade and weekly assignments (individual) - 20%

Project report and presentation (group) - 50%

 

The following grading scheme is applied:

  • 4: 60%
  • 3: 70%
  • 2: 80%
  • 1: 90%

As soon as a partial performance has been handed in, there is always a grade at the end of the course - even if the student leaves the course later.

 

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

If a student is absent in the first session (without proper excuse BEFORE the session) he/she will be unregistered from the course and students from the waiting list will receive the available spot. 

Readings

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Availability of lecturer(s)

Personal contact during and after the classes

charlotte.both@wu.ac.at

miriam.wilhelm@wu.ac.at 

AI Policy

AI tools such as ChatGPT, DeepL, and others are partially allowed in the course as long as they are properly cited. It is prohibited to create full paragraphs and text passages with generative AI tools. If you use an AI tool (e.g., for copy editing), you must make it transparent and document its use. To do this, list all AI tools and their use in a directory (list of AI aids) at the end of the work.

Last edited: 2025-02-05



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