Center for Impact@Anderson

Introduction to different business models for social impact and to the fundamental opportunities and challenges of designing, funding, managing and scaling enterprises with a social mission. The course introduces frameworks for understanding and analyzing problems facing society and cultivate critical thinking skills to identify diverse ways to address those problems through sustainable programs and enterprises.

This course fulfills the foundational course requirement for the Social Impact Specialization.

Offered spring quarter 2022

The role of investing in projects that create desirable social change has traditionally been within the realm of non-profit organizations and governments. Can private capital markets and for-profit organizations also play a significant role? This course provides a high-level overview of the areas in which you can create meaningful impact through your career, as well as taking a deep dive into impact evaluation.

This course fulfills the foundational course requirement for the Social Impact Specialization.

Not offered in 2021-2022

This course considers major questions about the role of business in mitigating environmental degradation. It puts emphasis on corporate strategies that deliver value to shareholders while responding to environmental concerns. For example, some firms successfully adopt environmental differentiation strategies to respond to customers environmental concerns; other firms use environmental concerns as a way to generate costs savings within the business; yet other firms seek to influence government regulation in order to impose their standard on competition. The course examines environmental issues in each of the main areas of the MBA program: finance, marketing, operations, supply-chain management, accounting, entrepreneurship and strategy.

This course fulfills the foundational course requirement for the Social Impact Specialization.

Not offered in 2021-2022

This course will look at the dynamic and disruptive nature of technology – – enhancing outcomes that benefit enterprises and society collectively in areas such as financial services, education and healthcare. It will look at the unique ability of new technologies whether based on high speed networks, artificial intelligence or cloud computing coupled with new business models such as the platform-based businesses and the shared economy to create transformational offerings which benefits both businesses and society. Cases exploring the disruptive effects of platform based, online education, low cost telehealth solutions and new digital platforms for payments and financial transactions which create a multiplier effect of economic growth in developing markets will be covered... Ultimately, this course will look at the changing role of leaders in all sectors –– in business and government and their role in supporting technology-based innovation to serve a multitude of stakeholders while minimizing unintended consequences and negative externalities.

Examination of the relevance of social and environmental risks and opportunities to Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), finance teams, and the wider capital markets. Emphasis on practical application and integration of ESG within financial decision-making, investment, and external disclosure.

Introduction to impact investing, navigating the issues faced in the emerging field of social venture capital. Note: this course spans 2 quarters (4 units total, 2 units per quarter)

Two-part series begins in fall quarter 2021 and ends in winter quarter 2022. Application required. Please visit the Anderson Venture Impact Partner webpage or email avip@anderson.ucla.edu for more information.

Introduction to important legal, financial, and management issues confronting nonprofit organizations. Topics include how to start nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, qualifying and maintaining tax-exempt status under IRC Code Section 501(c)(3), corporate governance, political and legislative activity restrictions, and strategic planning, fundraising, nonprofit accounting, and employment law.

The course familiarizes students with the site selection and acquisition process, and explores the complexities associated with land use, entitlements, and the political landscape. The course teaches how to evaluate the various financing tools available to affordable housing developers, including low income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bond financing, and various federal, state and local funding sources. The course also evaluates disruptive technologies and influences in the housing industry.

Considerations of the challenges and opportunities of leading an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization. This course considers the challenges and opportunities of leading an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization, focusing on key insights and evidence-based strategies for addressing them. Recognizing that great benefit can come from full participation, authentic communication, and constructive collaboration in diverse communities, this course deepens insight into how leaders may evoke and sustain those experiences.

Practical tools to help one navigate difficult choices as a leader: how do you effectively work with, negotiate with, or make decisions with those whose values, priorities, or incentives are different from your own?

Considerations of the global political environment and how it affects business.

A framework for developing medical device innovations and preparation for careers in healthcare, product development, and entrepreneurship. The two-quarter course provides guided learning in lean startup principles, design thinking ideology, value proposition development, brainstorming techniques, and tools for clinical concept generation.

A review of ethical considerations in business decisions involving the individual, the corporation, society, and international business.

This course addresses technologies and platforms poised to disrupt the healthcare industry, which have the potential to alter the delivery of healthcare through improved patient value, increased cost savings or change in the practice of medicine. Topics include digital health, electronic medical records, personalized medicine and diagnostics, wireless sensing and remote monitoring, cloud connectivity, telemedicine, mobile health platforms, social networks, big data and predictive analytics, and bioinformatics. Includes representatives from venture capital and technology start-up communities.

An examination of the tools of choice architectures, drawing on the disciplines of behavioral economics and experimental psychology to analyze economic models of decision-making. The course examines a wide range of applications—from promoting retirement saving to energy conservation to public health; from exercising and healthy eating to public safety. The range of potential application is far wider and will be relevant to the work of for-profit, non-profit, government, and nongovernment organizations.

An introduction to a wide variety of modern incentive systems, both monetary and non-monetary, as well as the cutting-edge technology that help managers optimize the employee experience.

Practical strategies to communicate with, persuade, and more generally influence others in everyday conversation, written work, presentations, etc.

Theory and practice of critical thinking skills that will enhance one's ability to respond to novel and complex situations.