Volker Hoffmann: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2021

Award: The Golden Owl
Name Prof. Dr. Volker Hoffmann
FieldSustainability and Technology
Address
Nachhaltigkeit und Technol. D-MTEC
ETH Zürich, WEV J 412
Weinbergstr. 56/58
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 05 40
Fax+41 44 632 10 45
E-mailvhoffmann@ethz.ch
DepartmentManagement, Technology, and Economics
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
351-0778-00LDiscovering Management
Entry level course in management for BSc, MSc and PHD students at all levels not belonging to D-MTEC. This course can be complemented with Discovering Management (Excercises) 351-0778-01.
3 credits3GB. Clarysse, S. Brusoni, E. Fleisch, G. Grote, V. Hoffmann, T. Netland, Y. R. Shrestha, P. Tinguely, L. P. T. Vandeweghe
AbstractDiscovering Management offers an introduction to the field of business management and entrepreneurship for engineers and natural scientists. By taking this course, students will enhance their understanding of management principles and the tasks that entrepreneurs and managers deal with. The course consists of theory and practice sessions, presented by a set of area specialists at D-MTEC.
Learning objectiveThe general objective of Discovering Management is to introduce students into the field of business management and entrepreneurship.

In particular, the aims of the course are to:
(1) broaden understanding of management principles and frameworks
(2) advance insights into the sources of corporate and entrepreneurial success
(3) develop skills to apply this knowledge to real-life managerial problems

The course will help students to successfully take on managerial and entrepreneurial responsibilities in their carreers and / or appreciate the challenges that entrepreneurs and managers deal with.
ContentThe course consists of a set of theory and practice sessions, which will be taught on a weekly basis. The course will cover business management knowledge in corporate as well as entrepreneurial contexts.

The course consists of three blocks of theory and practice sessions: Discovering Strategic Management, Discovering Innovation Management, and Discovering HR and Operations Management. Each block consists of two or three theory sessions, followed by one practice session where you will apply the theory to a case.

The theory sessions will follow a "lecture-style" approach and be presented by an area specialist within D-MTEC. Practical examples and case studies will bring the theoretical content to life. The practice sessions will introduce you to some real-life examples of managerial or entrepreneurial challenges. During the practice sessions, we will discuss these challenges in depth and guide your thinking through team coaching.

Through small group work, you will develop analyses of each of the cases. Each group will also submit a "pitch" with a clear recommendation for one of the selected cases. The theory sessions will be assessed via a multiple choice exam.
Lecture notesAll course materials (readings, slides, videos, and worksheets) will be made available to inscribed course participants through Moodle. These course materials will form the point of departure for the lectures, class discussions and team work.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Problem-solvingassessed
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Self-presentation and Social Influence assessed
Personal CompetenciesCreative Thinkingassessed
Critical Thinkingassessed
363-0387-00LCorporate Sustainability3 credits2GV. Hoffmann, C. Bening-Bach, N. U. Blum, J. Meuer
AbstractThe lecture explores current challenges of corporate sustainability and prepares students to become champions for sustainable business practices. In the beginning, traditional lectures are complemented by e-modules that allow students to train critical thinking skills. In the 2nd half of the semester, students work in teams on sustainability challenges related to water, energy, mobility, and food.
Learning objectiveStudents
- assess the limits and the potential of corporate sustainability for sustainable development
- develop critical thinking skills (argumentation, communication, evaluative judgment) that are useful in the context of corporate sustainability using an innovative writing and peer review method.
- recognize and realize opportunities through team work for corporate sustainability in a business environment
- present strategic recommendations in teams with different output formats (tv-style debate, consultancy pitch, technology model walk-through, campaign video)
ContentIn the first part of the semester, Prof. Volker Hoffmann and Dr. Johannes Meuer will share his insights on corporate sustainability with you through a series of lectures. They introduce you to a series of critical thinking exercises and build a foundation for your group work. In the second part of the semester, you participate in one of four tracks in which SusTec researchers will coach your groups through a seven-step program. Our ambition is that you improve your analytic and organizational skills and that you can confidently stand up for corporate sustainability in a professional setting. You will share the final product of your work with fellow students in a final puzzle session at the end of the semester.

http://www.sustec.ethz.ch/teaching/lectures/corporate-sustainability.html
Lecture notesPresentation slides will be made available on moodle prior to lectures.
LiteratureLiterature recommendations will be distributed during the lecture
Prerequisites / NoticeTEACHING FORMAT/ ATTENDANCE: Please note that we aim to offer you the course in-class and online, but at this point we cannot guarantee that a purely online participation is possible. Irrespective of the format (in-class or online), the course includes several mandatory sessions that participants must attend to successfully earn credit points.