Topics in Sustainability

Instructor

Atul Wad

TOPICS IN SUSTAINABILITY:SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION IN EMERGING MARKETS

Description:
The concept of “Sustainability” is emerging as a driving force in the spheres of business , socio-economic development and the environment. Growing concerns over the disparities in income, the need for new business models, and environmental consequences of business activity are producing a re-thinking of traditional approaches to business and policy.
The need for sustainable approaches at all levels is particularly pressing in emerging markets. Though many such countries have demonstrated significant economic growth in the past two decades (e.g. China, India), socio-economic disparities and environmental issues are major concerns.
The course will examine currently prevailing approaches and interpretations of sustainability in terms of their implications for socio-economic and political relationships in society. Sustainability is becoming a driving principle in development and the corporate world, but there are several interpretations and levels at which it is articulated – e.g. Bottom of the Pyramid, Resource Optimization, Climate Change, Green Technology and Sustainable Innovation. The course will draw on theoretical perspectives (Marx, Weber, Schumpeter, neo-Schumpeterian models, etc.) to analyze these perspectives from a political economic framework. It will use case studies of successes and failures of policies and programs based upon such approaches to elaborate the broad implications for relationships within society with respect to socio-economic justice, equality, power, dependency, poverty and economic growth.
Technology and innovation is central to the development of models, strategies and solution based upon the principles of sustainability. However, there are serious concerns, based upon theory and practice, regarding the implications of such technological innovations for socio-economic and political relationships between population groupings, nations and regions. Advances in many new technological fields (nanotechnology, green chemistry, diagnostics etc.) offer solutions to many of the problems faced by emerging markets. To design and implement sustainability strategies requires basing them upon such solutions and the processes of innovation as they are manifested in emerging markets. Policy level analysis also needs to be informed by these principles in order to create supportive environments for the actors, private and public, attempting to develop and adopt sustainable strategies and practices.
The course is an introduction to the fundamental and evolving principles and conceptual bases of sustainability and their political economic implications for emerging markets. It will review the historical evolution of the concept, the various manifestations that it has gone through over time, and the major current issues of debate in this field. The course will also cover the various theoretical perspectives on the innovation process that have been developed from economics, management strategy, organizational behavior and other disciplines. The specific characteristics of the innovation process in emerging markets will be covered, specifically in terms of how they relate to the adoption of technological solutions to achieve sustainability objectives. Major barriers to sustainable innovation emerging markets will be reviewed. Finally, the implications for socio-economic impacts and their project design and policy implications will be covered.

Format & Grading

Format:
Classes will be conducted as lectures based upon readings and in-depth interactive discussions. The focus will be on understanding the practical implications for sustainable innovation in emerging markets. Students will be organized in groups after the first two introductory lectures to work on a specific project.

Schedule:
1. Review of class outline and student feedback. Overview on sustainability concepts, principles and issues. Different approaches and interpretations of sustainability.
2. Evolution of sustainability historically. Key characteristics of emerging markets and variations among them. Principle Stakeholders and Impacted Socio-economic populations
3. The Political Economy of Sustainable Development: Theoretical perspectives and practical lessons.
4. Analytical perspectives on technological innovation and its relevance to sustainable business practices
5. Socio-economic and political implications and controversies
6. Characteristics of and challenges to sustainable innovation in emerging markets in the context of long term social justice and global socio-economic and political implications
7. Project design and issues. Policy Implications

Course Materials:
1. Readings from the various disciplines relevant to sustainability and innovation.
2. Classical works relating to the subject – Weber, Schumpeter, Lovins, Freud, Schumacher etc.
3. Case studies from emerging markets
4. Informational sources available on the Web.

Grading:
1. Attendance and class participation
2. Short individual conceptual papers on a specific topic discussed with each student
3. Team project presentations