Sustainability and Impact

Code:

2M3E26

Acronym:

IS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Economics of Business and Strategy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEEE	39	Syllabus	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

English

Objectives

Corporations play an important role in the development of the territories where they are located, generating economic, social, and environmental impacts, and influencing governance models. These impacts should be adequately assessed and monitored. The objective of this course is to understand the range of potential impacts generated by corporations, as well as to anticipate, plan, and quantify them, so that positive effects can be further strengthened, namely in favor of a greater corporate sustainability. On the other hand, considering current global and geopolitical challenges, as well as of an increasingly demanding regulatory framework, corporations are expected to integrate the principles of sustainable development into their activities. More than that, they should increasingly act as models of sustainability. In this regard, the course also intends to provide students with the needed skills and knowledge about the management of corporate sustainability, including the creation of long-term value in corporations based on sustainable development principles.

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon completion of the course, the students:

1. Shall master the basic fundamentals of:

1. The different dimensions of the role played by corporations in regional and local development;


2. Theoretical models and practical methodologies for assessing the impact of corporations;


3. Sustainability challenges and opportunities faced by corporations in the future;


4. The integration of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) criteria, as well as of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) framework, among others, into the corporate strategy.

2. Shall be able to:

1. Assess some of the dimensions of impacts generated by corporations at different spatial levels;


2. Apply some of the assessment, reporting and rating tools for corporate sustainability;


3. Design new business models for companies, based on innovation processes and sustainability criteria.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students are required to have knowledge of microeconomics at the undergraduate level.

Program

1 Corporations and local and regional development

2 Impact assessment: methodological approaches

3 Corporate sustainability: risks, opportunities and trends

4 Strategy and management for sustainability

5 New business models: innovation for sustainability

Mandatory literature

José Silva Costa; Peter Nijkamp; Compêndio de Economia Regional - Volume I: teoria, temáticas e políticas. ISBN: 9789898131553
José da Silva Costa; Tomaz Ponce Dentinho; Peter Nijkamp; Compêndio de Economia Regional - Volume II: métodos e técnicas de análise regional. ISBN: 978-989-8131-78-2

Comments from the literature

The recommended bibliography will be complemented with selected articles and papers for each chapter of the syllabus.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching methods combine theoretical sessions, with hands-on activities in a collaborative environment.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	25,00
Trabalho escrito	75,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	16,00
Frequência das aulas	15,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to attend at least 75% of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Distributed evaluation: The final classification corresponds to the weighted average of the marks obtained in presentations in classes (including participation in classes) [30%], group essay [40%] and peer assessment [not only between students that are part of the same group, but also between groups) [30%].

Final exam: There is no exam in the normal/first season. In the recourse/second or in the special seasons, the grade of the final exam yields the final classification.