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U-M NRE 701 - Integrated Learning for Sustainable Development SE Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

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701: Masters Project Planning February 3, 2003Project ProspectusIntegrated Learning for Sustainable DevelopmentSE Michigan Sustainable Business ForumAs the amount of dedicated research and literature grows on why corporations should incorporate the Triple Bottom Line (economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social equity) of business sustainability, companies – and individuals within those companies – are struggling to determine how to implement that laudable mission.A master’s project with the SE Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (the Forum) would create a model for innovative learning and implementation among its member organizations. The group interested in designing this project will continue working with faculty advisor, Tom Gladwin, to clarify the group’s goals and creative options for implementation. The Forum has dedicated a liaison group to work with the master’s project team to jointly develop a project that is interesting and valuable to both the student and corporate members of the project team.The Forum is interested in working on two levels with this master’s project group. In its final form, the project will include only one or a few of the following activities (depending on participants’ and students’ goals, overlapping priorities, and the ability to implement within prescribed time restraints.)1. Organization-Level Activitya. Research collaborative learning and recommend structural, procedural, and substantive changes to the Forum for increasing the members’ ability to share andlearn from each other (consider a “Community of Practice” model)b. Create a long term strategic plan for the Forumc. Design and implement a survey of potential members in SE Michigand. Write and produce marketing and educational materialse. Develop and plan the 2003 Michigan Sustainable Business Forum conference 2. Working Group-Level Activity a. Develop and facilitate monthly workshops on substance and process challenges to making the Forum members’ organizations more sustainableb. Produce a toolkit and guidebook (based on the work of the Forum) for member organizations to work within their organizations to encourage sustainability.c. Research and write white papers relevant to each of the working group topics on the state of the art and science of sustainable business practicesd. Work with a subset of member companies to create and implement a plan for encouraging sustainable practices within their companyThe activities will be based on research into the following questions pertaining to both organizational learning and specific sub-topics in business sustainability.- What models and practices have other forums used to facilitate learning and implementation in their member organizations?Page 1 of 4701: Masters Project Planning February 3, 2003Project Prospectus- What is the potential market for corporations learning about, dedicating resources to, and implementing best sustainability practices in SE Michigan?- How can members of the Forum facilitate rapid implementation of sustainability principles across the network and within specific organizations?- What are the indicators or metrics that businesses can use to assess their sustainability?- What types of skills and tools will be necessary for members of the Forum to facilitate change within their organizations?As this project progresses, we anticipate findings such as:- Despite the growing body of relevant literature, broad-based practical experience implementation of sustainability theory in specific corporate environments is still limited.- Forum members may not be aware of resources already available to them to assist in the implementation of practical sustainable business strategies in their and other organizations.- Individual Forum members can learn a great deal from each others’ experiences developing a business case for sustainability and implementing triple bottom line practices within their organizations- There are at least 100 businesses in the SE Michigan region that are interested in and can add meaningfully to the work of the SE Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.To effectively complete this project, the team as a whole will need (and/or will build) knowledgeand experience in many of the following areas: - Market survey design - Facilitation and business consulting- Project design and implementation planning- Information synthesis - Writing (white papers, marketing materials, etc.)- Sustainable Product Design - Sustainable Energy Technologies - Environmental Mgmt. Systems & ISO 14000 - Sustainable Land Use (including Brownfield Redevelopment, Greenfield Preservation, & Smart Growth) - Supply Chain Management for Sustainability - Sustainable Transportation & Mobility - Sustainability Metrics, Benchmarking & Reporting - Pollution Prevention Through Process Design - Social Equity and Sustainability TimelineFebruary 3 (wk of): The liaison group from the Forum is prepared to meet with a group of students to begin discussing the particular scope of this project (to be scheduled). February 10 (wk of): The master’s project group (with committed membership) will meet again with the Forum liaison group to float a rough draft proposal for discussion.February 20: The project proposal will be presented (by the master’s project group) to the Forum membership for questions and comments – during the regularlyscheduled monthly meeting.Page 2 of 4701: Masters Project Planning February 3, 2003Project ProspectusMarch 3: After incorporating comments from the Forum membership, the master’s project group will submit a proposal to SNRE.March – April: The master’s project group will attend monthly meetings of the whole Forum and will work closely with the liaison group to develop a comprehensive project plan.May – September: At least some members of the master’s project group will work with the SMSBF throughout the summer, at least attending and participating in the monthly meetings. Additional summer work will be determined after more discussion with the liaison group about project specifics and internship opportunities.September – April: The master’s project group will work with the Forum members (the executive team, the working groups, or both) to implement the workplan. This activity will include attending and participating in the monthly forummeetings as well as writing, research, and diagnostic work as will be specified in the forthcoming proposal. Also, participate in


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U-M NRE 701 - Integrated Learning for Sustainable Development SE Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

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