• Identify and discuss strengths and weaknesses of concepts and theories relating to CSR and sustainability and to apply these concepts and theories in appraising strategic alternatives for companies
• Identify new issues arising (e.g. corruption, labor, human rights) and recognize the threats and opportunities they involve for modern business
• Discuss the external (societal) and internal (organizational) factors that enable and constrain corporate responsibility and sustainability
• Apply relevant perspectives on CSR and sustainability to a case analysis outlining a leadership challenge
• Present the findings of the case analysis, including recommendations for future action, in a clear, concise and insightful manner

This course explores how business practitioners can show leadership and contribute to the development of more responsible and sustainable business practices. It explores the individual, organizational and communicative aspects of responsibility along with the regulatory and political context shaping and constraining business mindsets and decisions. While the course has a strong emphasis on the practical/operational aspects of CSR and sustainability (through the use of cases and empirical examples), it also allows participants to familiarize themselves with cutting edge research in the field and how theoretical models and concepts can contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying recent developments. In order to give participants a strong sense of the richness, diversity and complexity of the field, the course is presented by an international team of leading academic experts and practitioners. The course is divided into three modules. The first, Responsibility drivers and concerns, focuses on the different ways in which we can, fundamentally, approach matters of responsibility. Starting from a discussion of individual responsibility and responsible leadership, it goes on to show how CSR and sustainability also need to be seen as embedded concerns that are related to national institutional frameworks and values. And how we, on top of that, increasingly need to consider these matters in a global setting and as affected by various modes of global governance, including the UN Global Compact. The final lecture focuses on the challenges brought on by NGO activism in regard to critical supply-chain issues. The second module more explicitly addresses the Business imperatives of CSR and sustainability. It starts with a discussion of the pros and cons of strategic CSR and CSV (creating shared value) as promoted by Porter & Kramer, and compares this with collaborative approaches building on the value of cross-sector partnerships. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the much-touted business case for CSR and by reflections on the communicative aspects of CSR and sustainability. Finally, it includes a workshop on one of the most topical matters in the sustainability debate right now: circular economy. The last module, Final reflections and looking ahead, take us back to the starting point of individual responsibility and focuses on how the participants can put the insights of the course to practical use in their organizational settings. The final lecture includes a presentation of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and how they are using strategic CSR to look ahead.