COURSE NUMBER:
MBA292T.3B
COURSE TITLE: Business
Solutions for Global Mega Trends
UNITS OF CREDIT: 2
INSTRUCTORS: Kellie
McElhaney
E-MAIL ADDRESSES: kmack@haas.berkeley.edu
CLASS WEB PAGE
LOCATION: TBD
MEETING DATES: Spring B
only (3/14-5/4)
PREREQUISITE(S): None
CLASS FORMAT: Mixture of
lectures and cases and guest speakers
REQUIRED READINGS:
Course reader and B Space
BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE:
Project + participation
ABSTRACT
OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
Most B-School classes
are taught through the lens of shareholder value and how to optimize for it.
While doing so, they indirectly ignore other critical stakeholder value:
community, employees, society as a whole and even a business’ customers.
The Financial Times recently called this approach – optimizing
for shareholder value alone – “the world’s dumbest idea.” So why are
prestigious Business Schools still teaching it?
As we speak, businesses
around the globe are impacted by mega-trends: climate change, energy
management, big data challenges, water scarcity, food security, changing
demographics and many more. Despite the massive, disruptive effects these
mega-trends create across industries and functions, they are often not
discussed in the classroom. This course, uniquely offered by Haas, is not just
a class on Corporate Social Responsibility. It will expose students to some of
the world’s biggest problems, and more importantly, possible business
solutions. This “big picture” course covers only macro topics that influence
businesses across sectors and geographies.
Global mega-trends pose
countless threats to business, but they also offer incredible opportunities. Smart
business leaders who understand these global mega-trends will not only be more
prepared to face them, but will also be able to take advantage of new 21st century
realities, enabling their business to thrive. Responsible business leaders
cannot afford to continue ignoring these trends while making decisions.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
A 2012 Cheit Award Winner, Kellie is considered one of the
top professors at Haas. She founded the Center for Responsible Business which
demonstrates thought leadership through its action tank
model. Kellie is the author of “Just Good Business” and has
previously presented at TED. She consults extensively globally as well as
serves on multiple corporate boards and advisory committees.