Sustainable Business Strategy & Research Projects
Main contact
Timeline
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September 3, 2025Experience start
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October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
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October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
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November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
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December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
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December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
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July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
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September 3, 2025Experience start
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October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
Submit Research Topic Summary: 1–2 pages identifying the main research question/topic, explaining why it matters to the partner, and how it aligns with project goals.
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October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
Submit Literature Review Document: a summary of key sources, trends, and background research relevant to the project, highlighting gaps the project will address.
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November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
Submit Methods Plan: a short report outlining the chosen methodology (surveys, interviews, data collection, etc.), timeline, and how you will gather and analyze information.
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December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
Submit Research Proposal: a polished proposal including research topic, literature review, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with partner needs.
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December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
Submit Revised Proposal: incorporates feedback from faculty panel and instructor, finalized for partner approval.
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March 9, 2026Mid-Project Report (Client)
Submit Mid-Project Update: progress report with data gathered so far, analysis of findings, challenges, adjustments made, and next steps.
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June 22, 2026Final Report and Presentation
Submit Final Presentation Slides or Recording: a professional presentation of findings and recommendations to the partner organization (live or recorded).
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July 1, 2026Experience end
Experience scope
Categories
Market research Operations Competitive analysis Environmental sustainabilitySkills
presentations quantitative research sustainable business business reporting microsites project proposals needs assessment social sustainability research data collectionLearners in this capstone course are senior BBA students specializing in Sustainable Business Practices. Over a 10-month period, each learner will individually research and develop a project that addresses a real-world sustainability-related business challenge.
Employers can expect learners to:
- Conduct needs assessments and sustainability audits
- Analyze organizational challenges using both qualitative and quantitative research
- Propose strategic, innovative, and actionable solutions that integrate economic, environmental, and/or social sustainability
- Create detailed project proposals grounded in research and best practices
- Implement and evaluate sustainability projects through data collection and stakeholder feedback
- Communicate professionally in written reports and oral presentations
By the end of the experience, employers will receive a comprehensive sustainability-focused business report tailored to their organization's needs.
Learners
Project Outcomes:
- Learners will collaborate with a designated workplace contact to identify a specific sustainability-related challenge or opportunity
- They will conduct research, gather data, and develop a research-based proposal, implement their plan, and complete a final evaluation and presentation.
Deliverables include:
Project Proposal:
- Includes a problem analysis, literature review, methodology, project timeline, stakeholder roles, and sustainability impact (social, environmental, economic)
Progress Logs & Interim Reports:
- Weekly or bi-weekly reflective journals and progress updates
Final Report or Thesis:
- A comprehensive report with research findings, implementation outcomes, analysis, and recommendations
Presentation & Portfolio Website:
- Slide deck (PDF or PowerPoint) and a web-based professional portfolio or project microsite
Project timeline
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September 3, 2025Experience start
-
October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
-
October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
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November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
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December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
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December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
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July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
Submit Research Topic Summary: 1–2 pages identifying the main research question/topic, explaining why it matters to the partner, and how it aligns with project goals.
-
October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
Submit Literature Review Document: a summary of key sources, trends, and background research relevant to the project, highlighting gaps the project will address.
-
November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
Submit Methods Plan: a short report outlining the chosen methodology (surveys, interviews, data collection, etc.), timeline, and how you will gather and analyze information.
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December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
Submit Research Proposal: a polished proposal including research topic, literature review, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with partner needs.
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December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
Submit Revised Proposal: incorporates feedback from faculty panel and instructor, finalized for partner approval.
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March 9, 2026Mid-Project Report (Client)
Submit Mid-Project Update: progress report with data gathered so far, analysis of findings, challenges, adjustments made, and next steps.
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June 22, 2026Final Report and Presentation
Submit Final Presentation Slides or Recording: a professional presentation of findings and recommendations to the partner organization (live or recorded).
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July 1, 2026Experience end
Project examples
Example projects include:
- Sustainability Reporting: Developing or enhancing a triple-bottom-line sustainability report or dashboard
- Market Feasibility Studies: Assessing consumer demand for sustainable products or services
- Operations Audits: Identifying opportunities for environmental or cost efficiencies in supply chain or energy use
- Social Impact Projects: Researching and evaluating the social return on investment of community initiatives
- Waste Reduction Initiatives: Designing waste diversion, composting, or recycling strategies for workplaces or campuses
- Sustainable Product Development: Researching and creating business plans for eco-friendly product ideas
- Employee Engagement: Assessing sustainability culture and making recommendations to improve internal awareness and behavior
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
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Q1 - Text long
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Q2 - Text short
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Q3 - Text short
Main contact
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
-
October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
-
November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
-
December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
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December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
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July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
October 13, 2025Assignment #1: Identify Research Topic
Submit Research Topic Summary: 1–2 pages identifying the main research question/topic, explaining why it matters to the partner, and how it aligns with project goals.
-
October 28, 2025Assignment #2: Literature Review
Submit Literature Review Document: a summary of key sources, trends, and background research relevant to the project, highlighting gaps the project will address.
-
November 17, 2025Assignment #3: Research Methods
Submit Methods Plan: a short report outlining the chosen methodology (surveys, interviews, data collection, etc.), timeline, and how you will gather and analyze information.
-
December 1, 2025Assignment #4: Final Research Proposal
Submit Research Proposal: a polished proposal including research topic, literature review, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with partner needs.
-
December 8, 2025Final Proposal Revision
Submit Revised Proposal: incorporates feedback from faculty panel and instructor, finalized for partner approval.
-
March 9, 2026Mid-Project Report (Client)
Submit Mid-Project Update: progress report with data gathered so far, analysis of findings, challenges, adjustments made, and next steps.
-
June 22, 2026Final Report and Presentation
Submit Final Presentation Slides or Recording: a professional presentation of findings and recommendations to the partner organization (live or recorded).
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July 1, 2026Experience end