University of Southern Maine

News Releases

“People, Planet, Profit” Themes of USM On-Line Business Program

July 8, 2008

The University of Southern Maine is launching what is believed to be one of the first, 100 percent on-line certificate programs in “Triple Bottom-Line Business,” a business model that focuses on a commitment to the concepts of “people, planet and profit.”

The non-credit program, which begins the week of September 1 and ends in January, is offered by the USM School of Business and the USM Center for Continuing Education, with the sponsorship of Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility (MEBSR).

“Rising energy prices, climate change, global inequity, and more and more demands for corporate accountability are among the trends that are driving mainstream interest in 3BL business," said USM Professor of Business Administration Nancy Artz, one of the program organizers. "This model, sometimes referred to as people, planet, profit, calls for profits to be pursued without causing environmental harm or social problems.”

“We designed this program for business people who want to cut through the abstract idea of sustainability and understand tangible ways to improve their financial, environmental and social performance,” said Artz.

The on-line format is designed to make the program as convenient as possible for participants, said Artz, while minimizing the fuel and other resources that it takes to mount traditional classroom sessions. Artz said her research indicates that the program is one of the first, if not the first, continuing education programs on 3BL to be offered 100 percent on-line.

With the on-line format, weekly sessions consist of a narrated on-line lecture, media clips, streaming video, links to Web resources, and an on-line discussion forum. Topics to be covered include different ways to assess the environmental impacts of a business; sustainable business strategies and practices; the “greening” of mainstream consumers; and effective ways to position products and services to appeal to the various segments.

Other faculty scheduled to teach in the program include USM Sustainability Coordinator Dudley Greeley, Associate Professor of Business Administration Richard Grover, Professor of Accounting and holder of the L.L. Bean/Lee Surace Endowed Chair Jeffrey D. Gramlich, and Associate Professor of Accounting Jeff Shields.

For more information on the program and faculty, visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/cce/business.htm.

>more news releases

^ top