Business Futures

About the course

The sharing economy is a 21st Century phenomenon that has shaken the status quo in accommodation, transport, personal services, media and entertainment sectors.

This course provides an introduction to the sharing economy and examines its impact on economies, businesses and consumers. The growth of the sharing economy in many industry sectors highlights the challenges and opportunities while providing a range of options to provide innovative consumer experiences.

Trace the history of the sharing economy

The course begins by examining the emergence of the sharing economy by focusing on how and why it has grown so rapidly and its effect on established business models, and on the consumer experience. You will also learn from various entrepreneurs and early adopters who have taken a shot at creating value in a shared marketplace.

Explore the present-day sharing economy

We will investigate and evaluate the sharing economy by examining its drivers, the challenges and opportunities it presents and the implications for business.

Your part in the sharing economy

Whether you want to improve your own prospects, help your business capitalise on the sharing economy or simply be versed in the sharing economy, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to explore this business and economic disruptor.

This course is aimed at professionals and students in disciplines of operations, finance, marketing, or human resources, who wish to learn more about the share economy.

To take part in this course, you'll need:

• A computer or laptop, with access to the Internet.
• Computer audio output.
• Adobe Reader; and
• A computer mouse.

About the course

Sustainability is an embedded practice in many businesses. It recognises the long term benefits of acknowledging the social and environmental impacts of production and consumption. While governments encourage responsible social and environmental action, implementation is often left to individual organisations and many of these are under pressure from shareholders driven by a profit-centred return on investment (ROI) model. And so, environmental and sustainable practices often become a HR matter - it’s people that must make the difference.

This course will explore what constitutes sustainability from both ecological and business perspectives. We will investigate the emergence of sustainable approaches to human resources, known as ‘Green HR’, and identify various types of sustainability models.

Examine Green HR in the fashion industry

We will take you on a journey through the fashion industry where we’ll explore the essential features of Green HR, including the value placed on human capital and the necessary balancing of sustainable values and business viability.

Make sustainable business work in practice

Operating a sustainable business is a balancing act. We will examine how sustainability and Green HR can work in practice by examining:

• How to change mindsets to balance self-interest and social responsibility
  
• How to identify and overcome barriers to sustainable business
  
• The drivers of change towards a sustainable approach
  
• How to implement a multi-stage approach to sustainability
  
• The role of Green HR in developing, implementing and maintaining sustainable shared values and initiatives.
  

Throughout the course we identify the internal and external drivers of sustainable practice and cultural change, and explore several critical issues, such as transparency and authenticity.

This course is aimed at professionals and students in disciplines of operations, finance, marketing, or human resources, who wish to learn more about sustainable Green HR practices.

To take part in this course, you'll need:

• A computer or laptop, with access to the Internet.
• Computer audio output.
• Adobe Reader; and
• A computer mouse.