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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Value Chains are an integral part of strategic planning for many businesses today. Within leading companies there may be many ‘islands’ of good practice, including, for example, responsible sourcing, cleaner production, and developing new ‘green’ products; however, to achieve an interconnected perspective, a systems approach is needed. PCSB: Value chains stream is designed to go beyond themes such as 'sustainable supply chains' and 'green procurement', and empower leaders to bring about systemic, collaborative change across value chains.

 

The content is explored through two workshops, supported by essential reading and practical assignments:

  • Workshop 1 builds the awareness of key sustainability risks and opportunities, exploring the strategic business case for building resilient value chains
  • Workshop 2 develops an appreciation for the variety of institutional responses to the risks and opportunities identified, and builds capacity to apply ‘best practice’ tools and techniques to achieve sustainable value chains.

Crosscutting themes such as innovation and leadership are embedded within and/or interspersed between the main sessions.

 

“There are many sustainability courses, but PCSB: Value Chains stream is unique. The Cambridge setting, the faculty's knowledge, the people you meet, the social and personal experience. This programme will remain a highlight in my educational career.”

Sascha Reimann, Postgraduate Certificate, Value Chains stream

 

Indicative themes for Value Chains stream workshops

 

Workshop 1

Understanding the global risks and opportunities, and what
needs to change

Workshop 2

Catalysing change across the value chain

Workshop themes 

  • Environmental, social and economic pressures and drivers
  • Sustainability concepts and frameworks
  • Systems thinking
  • Critique of existing tools and enablers
  • Building the business case for sustainable value chains
  • Leadership for sustainability
  • Developing a critical and analytical mind

 

  • Partnerships and collaboration
  • Business model innovation
  • Leveraging change across the value chain
  • Communication and influence
  • Leadership for change

 

Assignment tasks

Group Project theme scoping

Analysis Paper preparation

Group Project research and drafting

Strategic Action Plan preparation 
 

 

Students are supported throughout their studies by a supervisor who will guide their learning on both individual assignments and group projects. Find out more about some of our most recent supervisors.

 

 

 


 

Meet the Directors Webinars


Join a live webinar session hosted by the Directors of our part-time postgraduate courses as they give you an overview of our programmes and admissions process and answer your questions.



 

More information 


Certificate course overview


Who should apply?


Admission requirements


Funding opportunities


Learning approach and time commitment


Assignments


 

Value chain stream


What is a value chain?


Value chain stream: Curriculum


Value chain Supervisors


 

Organisational stream


Organisational stream: Curriculum


Organisational stream Supervisors


 

Student blogs


Employer benefits and information


Frequently asked questions


 

Email the team

If you can't find the answer to your query on the website please get in touch with the team here pcsb@cisl.cam.ac.uk