Green Management in Action

Environmental issues accompany economic activity as we seek wealth, comfort and convenience in our interaction with the earth’s resources. In other words, environmental problems can be said to result from our mismanagement of natural resources. Green management, which refers to ways of managing economic activities while preserving the environment, has become a mainstream feature of modern society.

Green management has two aspects: (1) the control of pollution and conservation of natural resources through environmental policies and systems, and (2) the incorporation of environmentalism and social responsibility into corporate strategies and operations. Green management at the government level affects that of industry, and vice versa. Though strict regulations may threaten the financial health of some companies, they can also provide opportunities for creating new “green” businesses. Companies are expected to contribute economic resources toward the solution of environmental problems as long as their activities are a burden on the environment.

This course covers multiple sides of green management; it focuses on environmental problems, environmental policies, corporate environmental management, and the inter-relationships among these. The course explores the following questions: Under what conditions can environmental policies work effectively? How can companies improve both environmental and economic performance at the same time? What can make green business profitable? And how can partnerships among multiple stakeholders create more desirable solutions to environmental challenges?