2018-2019 / GEST3763-1

Financial analysis of sustainable business models

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in management (120 ECTS)5 crédits  

Lecturer

Sybille Mertens de Wilmars

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

  • Course description
The current crisis requires a change in our economic system. The fight against climate change, protection of biodiversity, regulating the global financial system, preservation of social cohesion, the eradication of poverty and the fight against socio-economic inequalities are few emblematic examples of the challenges we collectively face. Among the various proposed paths, some academics advocate for « rethinking the firm ». This option goes for greater public regulation requirement applied to the world of business to CSR initiatives firms undertake on a voluntary basis. Some companies go further in the strong internalization of social or environmental concerns.  They build their business model around these objectives. Beyond the speeches, it is important to study these economic models to understand the rationality and critically analyze their potential but also the limitations and obstacles they encounter.



  • Content
Part 1 - Conceptual and theoretical background
1 - Introduction - capitalist firms failures
2 -Financial analysis of the firm
3 - Financing Mix and Financing Social enterprises
4 - Business Models et social enterprises features

Part II - Applications
5 - Inclusive Models
6 - Sharing Economy Models
7 - Circular Economy Models
8 - Citizen Economy Models

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will have been specifically brought to:

  • Understand the economic rationality of sustainable business models
  • Understand the challenges of new sustainable business models (inclusive models, collaborative models, circular models, citizen models)
  • Acquire in-depth operational knowledge of funding sources for these models
  • Develop the ability to acquire financial resources (relationships with customers, investors, banks, public authorities, citizens)
  • Strengthen the capacity to analyze and develop financial tables for a sustainable project
These learning outcomes are part of the generic LO of the Master in Management Sciences of HEC since they help the student to:
  • Establish a strategy (from a sustainable perspective)
  • Translate the strategy operationally and think about its implementation
  • Implement performance monitoring in a holistic approach
  • Communicate effectively on the business project
  • Adapt its managerial practices to a constantly changing world, developing both its entrepreneurial spirit and its ability to understand economic, social and environmental issues
 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

  • Students must be able to express themselves in French or English and must be able to read fluently French and English.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Learning activities include

  • Conceptual and theoretical presentations by the teacher (powerpoint)
  • Readings and discussion in class
  • Case studies prepared in the classroom
  • Corporate visits and meetings with social entrepreneurs
Non compulsory learning sessions on financial budgeting for social business plans

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The course is mainly face-to-face. Students will also be invited to participate to 2 conferences.

Recommended or required readings

The course will use the virtual interface Lol @, on which will be mailed:

  • PowerPoint presentations of the various sessions,
  • A bibliography containing books and reference articles will be suggested for each topic
  • the cases presented by the students.

Assessment methods and criteria

The overall assessment will combine two elements:

  • Essays (3 short essays and 1 case study) (40%)
  • An oral exam (60%) (List of typical questions available)
In second session, the evaluation consists only in an oral exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course takes place in the second term, Thursday afternoon at N1 rue Louvrex .

Contacts

Sybille Mertens Cera Chair- Center for Social Economy HEC-Management School - University of Liège - B33/box 4 - 4000 Liège Tel : + 32(0) 4 366 27 51 - smertens@uliege.be