SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN AND SUPPLY CHAIN CERTIFICATE
Utah State University Business Certificates
Gain expertise in the field of sustainable product design through an outdoor industry lens.
ABOUT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY:
Since its founding in 1888, Utah State University has evolved from a small-town college tucked away in the Northern Utah mountains to a thriving research university respected around the world. It is home to the Outdoor Product Design & Development (OPDD) bachelor’s degree, in which students learn to bring innovative, sustainable, and impactful products to market in the dynamic sports, outdoor, and active industries.
OUTDOOR BUSINESS COURSES
Course Description
Historically speaking, our economy has been linear, meaning that raw materials are used to make a product, and after its use, any waste is thrown away. However, the resource-depleting nature of our linear economy has had major environmental impacts over the past century. Understanding that the resources on the planet are finite has prompted a shift toward a circular economy. In a circular economy, the materials used in the products we create are reintroduced into the supply chain to minimize the natural resources needed to create new products, thus diverting usable materials away from landfills.
Course Learning Objectives
This course will look at the steps in the circular economy and address issues and
solutions in each step. Students who complete this course will be able to:
- Understand the Circular Economy model vs. the Linear Economy model
- Comprehend different methods to design out waste and pollution
- Gain insight into processes and programs for keeping products and materials in
use - Understand the various steps of the circular model including: materials
selection, product design, manufacturing, distribution, roles of the consumer,
repair/reuse, recycling/landfill, and regenerating natural systems - Cultivate the ability to evaluate products, supply chain and business based on
their environmental and social impacts
Course Schedule
This course consists of six modules and one final exam:
- Introduction
- Materials, Design, and Manufacturing
- Retail and the User
- Reuse and Repair Programs
- Recycling Materials, and Landfills
- Innovation
- Final Exam
Instructors
ANDREW DECEUSTER
Andrew Deceuster is currently a faculty member in the Outdoor Product Design and Development program at Utah State University, specializing in the design and fabrication of hard products. Prior to coming to USU, Andrew worked as a design and manufacturing engineer in the archery industry, started his own product development company, and working as a research engineer in the aerospace industry, until transitioning to academia at Weber State University. While at Weber, Andrew developed the Concept Center for companies and entrepreneurs could come with their concepts and get a product developed. Andrew holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Weber State, a MS in Industrial Technology from Utah State, along with a PhD in Biological Engineering from Utah State. When not working, Andrew can be found biking, hiking, climbing, or chasing his children somewhere in Logan canyon.
ANDREA OLSEN
Andrea is apparel designer an Assistant Professor at Utah State University in the Outdoor Product Design and Development Program. She spent the last 12 years designing technical outerwear for Columbia Sportswear Company, and creating sustainable apparel lines for Prana. Early in her career, Andrea noticed the impact of positive and negative leadership and team dynamics on the companies she worked for and the people she worked with. Out of these experiences, Andrea’s passion for teaching and and supporting creative people and teams was born. She is now focusing her career on higher education to empower the next generation of outdoor leaders and product creators.
Course Description
This class will integrate managerial and socio-ecological aspects in order to understand the relationship between sustainability and marketing in the twenty-first century. Key concepts of marketing and marketing mix decisions will be reviewed to provide students with the skills and capability to develop marketing strategies and comprehensive communication campaigns for sustainable products and services. Course Learning Objectives It is expected upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Increase your factual knowledge and experience with key principles of sustainability marketing and corporate social responsibility (terminology, classifications)
- Discuss the fundamental principles and generalizations of sustainability marketing theories in its broader social and economic context
- Identify consumer behavior and responses to the sustainability agenda
- Reflect on sustainable forms of consumption and evaluate why consumers do and do not engage in sustainable behaviors
- Understand the components of a successful marketing strategy for sustainable products.
ANTJE GRAUL
Antje Graul is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Utah State University. She teaches Sustainability Marketing and Digital Marketing. Her research interests lie in the area of consumer decision-making regarding sustainable modes of consumption such as consumer sharing and electric vehicle adoption. She is also passionate about researching digital transactions and perceptions of trust in a digital world. Antje Graul received her Ph.D. in Marketing, Business and Management Pathway, from Leeds University Business School, England. She holds a B.A. in Communication Sciences and a B.A. in Literary Studies from the University of Erfurt, Germany and an M.A. in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Leeds University Business School, England. Prior to pursuing her research interests, she spent two years in the industry focusing on marketing communications and public relations at the BMW Group, Germany. Her projects included the strategic development and implementation of a consumer sharing project in Berlin. REGISTER NOWCourse Description
Outdoor companies face increasing internal and external pressure to pursue sustainable innovations in supply chain management (SCM). The global nature of production and distribution means that supply chain management is vital not only for a firm’s profitability, but also for the firm’s relationships to a broad range of stakeholders, including workers, communities and consumers around the world. Outdoor product consumers specifically demand a level of corporate citizenship and sustainability beyond the average requirements. This course in supply chain sustainability examines the supply chain from the stakeholder perspective. Topics include an overview of the supply chain, strategic sourcing and procurement, sustainable logistics and warehousing, supplier relationships and management and the importance of the supply chain to the product life-cycle. Students will complete the course with an understanding of the importance of addressing sustainability within supply chain management, as well as practical knowledge in leveraging supply chain benefits for both profit and increased corporate citizenship.