Sustainable Business Strategy & Research Projects

Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
-
July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
- Connect with partner organization
- Confirm project scope and goals
- Begin initial background research
Submit initial findings.
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
- COTR Research Ethics Board Review
- Reconnect with partner and review approved plan
- Begin implementation phase: gather data, conduct interviews, pilot interventions
- Regular check-ins with instructor and partner
- Maintain personal log or reflective journal
- Analyze data, adjust project plan as needed
- Draft preliminary findings and discuss results with partner
- Reflect on challenges and successes in implementation
Submit mid-project update or report
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
- Final presentation (live or recorded)
- Submit final report and professional portfolio
- Reflect on personal and professional development throughout the capstone
-
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
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
-
July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
- Connect with partner organization
- Confirm project scope and goals
- Begin initial background research
Submit initial findings.
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
- COTR Research Ethics Board Review
- Reconnect with partner and review approved plan
- Begin implementation phase: gather data, conduct interviews, pilot interventions
- Regular check-ins with instructor and partner
- Maintain personal log or reflective journal
- Analyze data, adjust project plan as needed
- Draft preliminary findings and discuss results with partner
- Reflect on challenges and successes in implementation
Submit mid-project update or report
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
- Final presentation (live or recorded)
- Submit final report and professional portfolio
- Reflect on personal and professional development throughout the capstone
-
July 1, 2026Experience end
Project Examples
Requirements
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:
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
-
July 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 3, 2025Experience start
-
September 13, 2025Project Development & Research Stage
- Connect with partner organization
- Confirm project scope and goals
- Begin initial background research
Submit initial findings.
-
January 7, 2026Project Implementation
- COTR Research Ethics Board Review
- Reconnect with partner and review approved plan
- Begin implementation phase: gather data, conduct interviews, pilot interventions
- Regular check-ins with instructor and partner
- Maintain personal log or reflective journal
- Analyze data, adjust project plan as needed
- Draft preliminary findings and discuss results with partner
- Reflect on challenges and successes in implementation
Submit mid-project update or report
-
June 20, 2026Evaluation & Presentation
- Final presentation (live or recorded)
- Submit final report and professional portfolio
- Reflect on personal and professional development throughout the capstone
-
July 1, 2026Experience end