• discuss the historical interplay between firms, and their communities with a particular focus on the role firms play with regard to issues of sustainability, innovation, and social impact,
• navigate the increasingly difficult interactions between firms, governments, NGOs, investors, and consumers as various stakeholders vie for limited resources, understanding the often competing interests of various stakeholder groups and
• analzye issues of sustainability, innovation, and social impact through a long-term lens with a view to "upstream" solutions for global problems, and
• provide a strategic solution or recommendation for a firm that not only provides a strong business case, but also offers a sustainable impact

This course will explore the role firms play in the development of a
civil society. We will begin by examining the historical context of firms
as agents of social and community development as well as their
interaction with governments. We will then move to examine the
contemporary environment with particular emphasis on differences
across cultural and political lines. We then complete our study with a
look to toward the future. Across these three broad time horizons, we
will overlay issues of sustainaiblity, innovation, and social impact.

Class 1: The Rise of the Firm - an examination of the early role of
the firm and the development of societies
Class 2: The Era of Prosperity - an examination of the power
afforded to firms from the turn of the century through late 1900s
Class 3: The Metamorphis of CSR - an examination of the
development of CSR from its roots in philanthropy through more
strategic initiatives
Class 4: The International Arena - what does contemporary CSR
look like around the globe? An examination from the firm view
Class 5: CSR and Stakeholders - an examination of the balancing
act required to satisfy multiple stakeholders
Class 6: CSR Reporting and Transparency - an examination of
UNGC and GRI reporting
feedback activity:
Class 7: CSR as a Venue for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable
Economic Development
Class 8: CSR and Environmental Impacts
Class 9: Beyond CSR - Innovation and Social Intrapreneurship
Class 10: Re-examining Consumer Response
Class 11: Finding the Ideal Balance and Looking Forward

Preliminary Assignment: To help students get maximum value from ISUP courses, instructors provide a reading or a small number of readings or video clips to be read or viewed before the start of classes with a related task scheduled for class 1 in order to 'jump-start' the learning process.

Feedback Activity: A feedback activity defined by the course instructor will take place approx. half-way through the course.

Course timetable is available on http://www.cbs.dk/uddannelse/summer-university-programme/courses

Harvard Case packet (students will get a link)

Journal readings.