Managing for tomorrow requires future-proof solutions that are based on system-thinking. Businesses play a central role in determining whether our civilization – and by extension businesses themselves - will survive, or not.  In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and global social injustice, sustainability is not a secondary consideration but central to long-term business success. By harming the planet we harm our opportunities for business growth and success, as well as our health, happiness and wellbeing.

On the basis of insights into current and future challenges affecting businesses around the globe (including climate change, social exclusion, urbanization, technological revolution and geopolitical dynamics, etc.), students will analyze implications for business strategy, management and leadership. They will develop a sense of dealing with trade-offs in global business and learn to understand drivers for innovation and a sustainable transformation.

“Managing for Tomorrow: Solving the Sustainability Puzzle” is a short term study program which is jointly organized by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Gies College of Business, and the WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. The program will take place at WU Vienna from May 14-24, 2024 for bachelor students from Gies College of Business, from WU Vienna and from selected international partner universities of the organizing institutions. The program is designed to be highly interactive and a priority is placed on group discussion and international teamwork.

The course includes both online and offline sessions, as well as a number of excursions which, too, contain presentations or other typically in-class elements. Full attendance in class (online and offline) and on all excursions is mandatory and an expected component of your learning experience. You are allowed to miss class only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. in the case of illness).

Your progress in the class will be assessed across the following categories:

• Pre-course assignment: 25%
• Class participation and individual work packages: 35%
• Oral presentation of group project: 30%
• Written summary of group project: 10%
• Learning diary: 0%