This project seeks to expand and enhance students' understanding of sustainable approaches to supply chain management by developing an undergraduate elective course for students both in and outside of the business school which addresses the significant role that supply chain management plays in companies' ESG initiatives.
Research Methodology
Students in this course will engage with real-world case studies, hear from guest speakers, and participate in tours and simulations in order to better develop the tools and knowledge required for sustainable decision-making in the supply chain.
Research Outcomes
Students enrolled in this course will explore a variety of practical and effective sustainability opportunities which firms can pursue when making decisions about enhancing the sustainability of their operations and supply chain. This will provide students with applicable knowledge and skillsets for improving supply chain sustainability which can then be used in future career paths.
Research Goals
This course seeks to better equip future supply chain managers with the skills that they will need in order to constructively join, propose, and lead sustainability-focused initiatives within their field of expertise. Students will develop a greater understanding of the important role that the supply chain plays in ESG initiatives, as well as learn to develop supply chain strategies that align with and contribute to a company's ESG goals.
Slide Text
- Developing a New Course: Sustainability in the Supply Chain
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Developing a New Course: Sustainability in the Supply Chain
PI: Eric Paljug, Ph.D., Clinical Assoc. Prof., Assoc. Dir. of Center for Supply Chain Management, Katz Graduate School of Business along with student team member Samantha Klebes.
This effort is supported by Pitt Business, the Center for Supply Chain Management, the Center for Sustainable Business, the Business Analytics and Operations Area and funded by Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and Pitt Business.Photos courtesy of PITT OHIO.
Why a Course on this Topic?
Supply Chain and Operations leaders make critical decision related to an organization’s Sustainability. McKinsey finds that most ESG initiatives have significant supply chain components and, for example, most of the environmental impact associated with the consumer sector is embedded in supply chains.
This elective will equip students with an understanding of how firms successfully capture effective Sustainability opportunities and give them the tools to join, propose and lead such endeavors.
This focused course will be an important addition to our program, complementing other classes that introduce Sustainability as one of many topics.
Project Objectives:
- Develop a 3-credit undergraduate course that explores practical and effective sustainability opportunities that firms pursue in their operations and supply chain Management decision-making.
- Position course as an elective for the College of Business Administration Supply Chain Management Degree.
- Structure course so interested students outside the business school can be successful in the class.
- Incorporate case studies, guest speakers, tours and simulations for an engaging and vibrant course.
Trio of photos showing supply chain elements, including a parking lot of truck trailers outside of a warehouse, a forklift driver moving pallets of product in a warehouse, and a tractor trailer leaving a warehouse facility.