ENV437E

Introduction to corporate environmental management

Professor Chris Cocklin and Mr Doug Holmes

6 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: none

Objectives Upon completion of this subject students should be able to explain the historical origins of corporate environmental management; describe the main characteristics of corporate environmental management systems; demonstrate a familiarity with established methods and procedures used in corporate environmental management; and demonstrate a critical awareness of the problems and issues that are associated with corporate environmentalism.

Synopsis An introduction to environmental management from a corporate management perspective. The subject will focus on the increasingly strategic role of the environment in corporate decision-making, and the evolution of environmental management from a peripheral business concern to a core business issue. A key theme of the subject is the relationship between environmental sustainability and economic performance, and the implications for business now and into the future. Part one introduces basic environmental management concepts and theoretical perspectives, and provides an overview of corporate environmental management issues and trends. In particular, it will address the growing influence of environmental management on markets, efficiency, competition and public opinion as key drivers in corporate decision-making. Part two reviews key management tools and approached including environment/business strategy integration, environmental management sysyems, environmental technology and innovation, and product development/eco-design. The focus will be on methods which integrate environmental management considerations across corporate strategy and business functions. International standards for environmental management systems will also be covered.

Assessment Two essays (2500 words): 80%
* Seminars/exercises: 20%

Prescribed texts
Welford R (ed.) Corporate environmental management - systems and strategies Earthscan Publications, 1996
Hawken P The ecology of commerce Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1993
Schmidheimy S Changing course - a global business perspective on development and the environment MIT Press, 1992
Willig J T Environmental TQM Executive Enterprises Publications, 1994