HELLER CHOOL FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Managing the Triple Bottom Line – HS353a
Fall, 2014
Instructor: Michael Appell
Office: Heller-Brown 246,
Phone: 781-736-3897
E-mail address:
Office Hours: By appointment with the instructor – Monday afternoons are generally best.
Course Description:
A new kind of “bottom line” is developing for corporations which includes social and environmental returns as well as financial returns. How should we think about measuring “Return on Responsibility?” What are the implications for stockholders, employees and consumers when it comes to social and environmental accountability in the corporate world? How do business decisions get made when financial considerations are not the only decisions central to continued growth and success?
The Triple Bottom Line has applicability in civil society as well. Non-profits must generate substantial financial resources while also remaining focused on social and environmental goals. How do corporations and non-profits collaborate in the marketplace and how can we evaluate the success of these partnerships?
Recent financial crises – both in the U.S. and around the world – have focused increasing attention on the ways in which organizations create growth strategies based on commitments to the larger society - or fail to do so. By examining both ‘best’ and ‘worst’ practices, one can hope to better understand how and why a Triple Bottom Line approach may offer advantages to a wide range of stakeholders.
Since Triple Bottom Line activities cut across national boundaries, the course will provide perspectives that are both global and cross-cultural in nature. Students will be exposed to principles and frameworks in organizations both large and small, within the US and across borders.
Through case studies and meetings with institutional decision makers, this course explores shifting strategies and developing programs in the rapidly changing landscape of the Triple Bottom Line.
Required Texts and Readings:
A course packet of selected readings available in the bookstore contains many of the cases and articles. Other materials will be posted on LATTE or distributed in class. The following books will also be used and are available in the bookstore:
The Triple Bottom Line, by Andrew Savitz, Jossey-Bass, 2006
The Collaboration Challenge, by James E. Austen, Jossey-Bass, 2000
A number of additional readings will be provided from time to time for different classes.
A group of selected books has been put on reserve at the main Brandeis Library for additional reference specifically for students in this course.
Evaluation:
You will be evaluated on the following three components:
1) Class participation: 30%
2) Two substantive papers and one TBL “Executive Summary”: 50%
3) Two class presentations: 20%
(Details on papers/presentations will be discussed in class)
Course Policies:
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is required. Records of attendance will be kept for each class. Students are generally allowed one excused absence. Please notify me in advance when you are unable to make it to class. In the event that you miss more than one class, your grade may be negatively affected.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Students are expected to be adequately prepared for each class session and to actively participate in class discussion. Class participation involves being regularly engaged in the discussion/lecture and making a positive contribution by asking thoughtful questions, sharing relevant experiences, requesting clarification and making comments. All forms of participation should be conducted in a manner that is respectful of fellow students and the professor. Students should arrive on time and remain seated until class is over. Unless otherwise noted, the use of laptop computers during class will not be permitted.
Provisions for Feedback:
Feedback will be provided to students in the form of written comments and grades on papers and in-class presentations. Appointments with the professor to discuss issues and ideas are encouraged.
Learning Goals:
The primary goal of this course is to give students the vocabulary and strategic framework to understand how the Triple Bottom Line can be effective in a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit settings. Despite the rapid evolution of this area, students will be expected to understand how to present TBL activities to a wide range of stakeholders in a way that is persuasive, impactful and measurable.
Social Impact Management: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to strategically position an organization to achieve social impact and measure results, using methods related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) models or a Triple Bottom Line model.
Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate the ability to explain factual information, express opinions and offer persuasive arguments in support of a position in the form of oral and written presentation.
Mobilizing and Developing Capabilities: Students will be able to mobilize and develop the capabilities of diverse staff, clients, customers and other stakeholders who contribute to the organization’s mission as they achieve their own potential.
Integrative Skills: Students will be able to assess opportunities for Triple Bottom Line activities in multiple settings and suggest frameworks that apply to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is central to the mission of educational excellence at Brandeis University. Each student is expected to turn in work completed independently, except when assignments specifically authorize collaborative effort. It is not acceptable to use the words or ideas of another person- be it a world-class philosopher or your lab partner - without proper acknowledgement of that source. This means that you must use footnotes and quotation marks to indicate the sources of any phrases, sentences, paragraphs or ideas found in published volumes, on the internet, or created by another student. Violations of university policies on academic integrity, described in Section 3 of Rights and Responsibilities, may result in failure in the course or on the assignment, and could end in suspension from the University. If you are in doubt about the instructions for any assignment in this course, you must ask for clarification.
Notice: If you have a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and require accommodations, please bring it to the instructor’s attention prior to the second meeting of the class. If you have any questions about this process, contact Mary Brooks, disabilities coordinator for The Heller School at .
COURSE OUTLINE: TOPICS AND READINGS
1. September 8: Introduction and Overview
Why are we studying about the Triple Bottom Line at this time?
Readings:
“The Triple Bottom Line: What Is It and How Does It Work?” by Timothy F. Slaper, PhD and Tanya J. Hall, Indiana Business Review, Spring, 2011
Introduction and Chapters 1-2, The Triple Bottom Line, by Andrew Savitz
Introduction, Making Sustainability Work, by Marc Epstein
“Stakeholders and Stockholders (1981-89),” Chapter 9, “Corporate Responsibility: The American Experience” by Kenneth Goodpaster, Executive Editor, 2012
The Economist, January 20, 2005: “The ethics of business,” The good company,” “The good company” (opinion), “The world according to CSR,” “The union of concerned executives” (NOTE: These readings may be done between September 9 -30)
2. September 15 - What is the business of business?
Readings:
“The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits,” by Milton Friedman (available on latte and also distributed in class) The New York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970
“The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy,” by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, Harvard Business School
Chapter 6, The Triple Bottom Line
“Corporate Responsibility Institutionalizes and Globalizes (1989-2001,)” Chapter 10, Corporate Responsibility (Goodpaster)
“Is ‘shareholder value’ bad for business?” by Leon Neyfakjh, The Boston Globe, August 3, 2014
Chapter 1, The Collaboration Challenge
3. September 22 - From Defiance To Compliance: What Can Nike Teach Us About TBL?
Readings:
“Hitting the Wall: Nike and International Labor Practices” – Debra Spar, Harvard Business School
“The Path to Corporate Responsibility” by Simon Zadek, Harvard Business Review
“A New Social Contract for the 21st Century (2001-2011)”, Chapter 11, Corporate Responsibility (Goodpaster)
“Five Ways Your Company Can Avoid a Crisis Like Ikea’s” by Paul Klein, Forbes.com
“Fast and Flawed Inspections of Factories Abroad” by Stephanie Gilbert and Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, September 1, 2103
“Chapter 3-4, The Triple Bottom Line
“Wal-Mart is Being Pressed to Disclose How Global Suppliers Treat Workers,” The New York Times, May 31, 2011
Chapter 2, The Collaboration Challenge
Guest Speaker: Margaret McKenna, Former President, Lesley University
Former President, The Walmart Foundation
4. September 29 - Strategic Alliances and Sustainability:
The Partnership between Starbucks and Conservation International
Readings:
“Starbucks and Conservation International,” by James Austin and Cate Reavis, Harvard Business School
“When David and Goliath Work Together”
http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/10/when-david-goliath-work-together-scaling-business-partnerships/
Chapter 5, 7 The Triple Bottom Line
Additional readings from “The Collaboration Continuum” by James Austin to be distributed in class
Chapter 3, The Collaboration Challenge
Guest Speaker: TBA
5. October 6 – Starbucks (Continued): Further Exploration of The Collaboration Challenge
Readings:
Chapter 6, The Triple Bottom Line
Chapter 4 - 6, 8, The Collaboration Challenge
Class Presentations: TBL Sustainability Sweet Spots
6. October 20 - The Business Case: How Can TBL Confer a Competitive Advantage?
Readings:
“Strategy and Society: The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility”
By Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, Harvard Business Review
“Creating Shared Value” by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, Harvard Business Review
“The benefits and costs of corporate social responsibility” by Maines, Laureen A.; Sprinkle, Geoffrey B., Kelly School of Business, Indiana University
“The Bottom Line Benefits of Ethics Code Commitment” by Mathew Gilley, Chris Robertson and Tim Mazur, Indiana University Kelley School of Business
“First, Make Money. Also, Do Good” by Steve Lohr, The New York Times
“Breaking Down the Wall of Codes” by Aaron Chatterji and David Levine, California Management Review
Chapter 8, The Triple Bottom Line
“Taking the Challenge,” The Economist, March 25, 2010
Guest Speaker: TBA
7. October 27 - Exploring the Dimensions of Sustainability Reporting
“What is Integrated Reporting?” UBS
Refer to SASB web site – www.sasb.org
Selected Corporate CSR Reports
“Key Changes in Global Reporting Initiative’s G4” By ISOS, August, 2012
“The Need for Sector-Specific Management and Sustainability Reporting Standards” by Robert Eccles, Harvard Business School
“W(h)ither Ecology? The Triple Bottom Line, the Global Reporting Initiative, and Corporate Responsibility Reporting, by Markus Milne and Rob Gray, Journal of Business Ethics
“Ten Tips for Sustainability Reporting” by Elaine Cohen, Beyond Business
Chapter 9, The Triple Bottom Line
Guest Speaker: Susan Gans, Lions Brothers Company
8. November 3 - Novo Nordisk: A Commitment to Sustainability?
Readings:
“Novo Nordisk: A Commitment to Sustainability” by Robert Eccles and Michael Krzus, Harvard Business School
“Breaking Down the Wall of Codes: Evaluating Non-Financial Performance Measurement” by Aaron Chatterji and David Levine, California Management Review
“Conclusion: Patterns and Prospects” from “Corporate Responsibility” (Goodpaster)
Chapter 10-11, The Triple Bottom Line
Guest Speaker: TBA
9. November 10 -Trust is the New Black – How TBL Can Be ‘Watered Down’
Readings:
FIJI Water and Corporate Social Responsibility – Green Makeover or Greenwashing? By James McMaster and Jan Nowak, Richard Ivey School of Business
“The Sins of Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition”, 2010, Underwriters Laboratories
Chapter 12, The Triple Bottom Line
Guest Speaker: TBA
10. November 17 – TBL in South America: Amanco’s Balanced Scorecard
Readings:
“Amanco: Developing the Sustainability Scorecard” – Robert S. Kaplan and Ricardo Reisen de Pinho – Harvard Business School
“A Global Leader’s Guide to Managing Business Conduct” by Lynn Paine, Rohit Deshpande and Joshua D. Margolis, Harvard Business Review
Chapter 13, The Triple Bottom Line
Guest Speaker: TBA
11. November 24: The New ABC’s of TBL: From ‘B’ Corps to SRIs
“B Corporation: A New Sustainable Business Model” by Andrea Larson and Mark Meier, Richard Ivey School of Business
“Virtue, Inc.” by Ben Schreckinger, The Boston Globe, November 25, 2012
“Triple bottom line approach growing in nonprofit sector” by Nancy Fall, causeplanet.org, 1/21/2007
Chapter 14, Epilogue and Appendix A, The Triple Bottom Line
Guest Speaker: TBA
12. December 1: Can All Companies Be Sustainable? The ‘Smoking Gun’ in the Tobacco Industry
ITC Ltd: Toward a Triple Bottom Line Performance, By Abhoy Ojha, Indian Institute of Management
“Sustainability: How Stakeholder Perceptions Differ from Corporate Reality” by John Peloza et al, California Management Review
Additional articles to be distributed in class
Guest Speaker: TBA
13. December 8: Final Observations and Summary
Class Presentations