Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Course description
The global crises call for an evolution of the economic system and in-depth changes in our modes of production and consumption. Enterprises can play an important role in this transformation.
Today, it is essential to understand the limits of current business models, and to be able to assess the potential and risks of innovative and alternative models that are in line with sustainable development.
The course begins by providing students with a framework for critically analyzing businesses in relation to their main stakeholders (workers, suppliers, consumers, financiers, civil society, the environment, etc.). It then provides an introduction to sustainable models, including social enterprise models. These organizations are interesting to study because they integrate social and environmental concerns into their economic objectives as a matter of priority. In so doing, they develop innovative practices that can inspire and contribute to a global transition of our economic system.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, students will be specifically able to :
- think critically about our current modes of production
- translate sustainable development into concrete practices concerning the relations between the enterprise and its stakeholders
- assess the innovative potential and risks of business models proposed by social and sustainable enterprises.
- understand the political, societal and economic context of a complex situation, and identify the legal constraints that apply
- understand the societal, economic, political and environmental issues at stake in a complex situation
- adopt a systemic approach when analyzing a complex management problem.
- demonstrate critical thinking, curiosity and university-level scientific rigor.
- take a critical and ethical look at their managerial practices.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Students must have completed an introductory course in economics and, if possible , in microeconomics and public economics
- Students must be able to express themselves in French or English and must be able to read fluently French and English.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning activities include
- Conceptual and theoretical presentations by the teacher (powerpoint)
- Readings and discussion in class
- Case studies
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Part 1 - Theoretical insights
- Systemic crisis and transition : looking for causalities
- Sustainable devlopment : from alerts to new paradigm
- Corporate social responsability
- Sustainable enterprises : a continuum
- State role in sustainability
- Consuming products from sustainable enterprises
- Working in sustainable enterprises
- Financing sustainable enterprises
Course materials and recommended or required readings
- A bibliography containing books and reference articles will be suggested for each topic. These documents will be made available (Lol@).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
- Remote
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
The overall assessment in june will combine two elements:
A written exam - 70% and writings preparation of course sessions (30%)
In the second session, the evaluation is only based on a written exam - 100%
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
This course takes place every Monday 3.30pm-6.30pm, from february to may (Building Opera Room Pousseur). 1st course : Feb 5 2024
Contacts
Prof. Sybille Mertens, Centre d'Economie Sociale - HEC Université de Liège - smertens@uliege.be
Secretary : nathalie.jourdan@uliege.be
Teaching assistant : Romain David - r.david@uliege.be