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2021/2022  BA-BBLCV1162U  Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

English Title
Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 40
Max. participants 70
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Luise Noring - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Corporate governance
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 24-02-2021

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Summarize the current state of affairs in Scandinavia in sustainability and CSR.
  • Describe and reflect on the characterization of "Scandinavian management" and the role this may have in sustainability and CSR approaches and performances in Scandinavia while also critiquing such characterizations when they risk becoming stereotypes.
  • Critically discuss partnership activities from a stakeholder and value added perspective in the Scandinavian region between companies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and governmental organizations and their relationship to sustainability and CSR.
  • Analyze sustainability and CSR activities (management practices, stakeholder engagement, organizational structures, and reporting) at a selection of major Scandinavian firms.
Examination
Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Scandinavian Sustainability

In this course, we consider the current state of sustainability and CSR in Scandinavia and explore factors that could be considered as having contributed to Scandinavia’s historically strong sustainability and CSR performances.

 

Stakeholder Engagement

Scandinavia is described by some commentators as a world leader in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Notably, these include deep-routed traditions of stakeholder engagement across Scandinavia, in line with the recent concept of “creating shared value”.

 

The Crucial Role of Government

Another distinct feature is the active role of government that has encouraged strong CSR and sustainability performances of Scandinavian companies.

 

Scandinavian Governance and Finance in a Global Perspective

Finally, many of the sustainable governance and finance solutions underpinning Scandinavian societies operate as hybrid public-private constellations. We compare and evaluate Scandinavian and other approaches to sustainability and CSR. We also reflect upon the challenges for Scandinavia to maintain its standing as a world leader and discuss how and why governments in Scandinavia engage in shaping CSR in business organizations.
Description of the teaching methods
During lectures, we will go through the literature and case studies. We will have in-class small group assignments with student presentations. We will have guest lecturers to share their experience from the public, private and civil sector. We will use interactive tools for students to pose questions, vote and prioritise input.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback will be given to students after class exercises and, individually, in office hours. We will also run through assignment guidelines and evaluation criteria towards the end of the course, during which students are also invited to make questions specifically on the exam assignment.
Student workload
Preparation 166 hours
Teaching/Classroom time 36 hours
Examination 4 hours
Expected literature

Noring, L., Ohler, L., & Struthers, D. (2020). City government capacity and patterns in urban development project governance. Urban Affairs Review, SAGE, p. 1-29.

 

D. Matten & J. Moon (2020). Reflections on the 2018 Decade Award: The Meaning and Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsiblity. Academy of Management Review, 45(1), 7-28.

 

Noring, L. (2019). Public asset corporation: A new vehicle for urban regeneration and infrastructure finance.

Cities, 88, 125-135.

 

Rasche, A., Morsing, M. & Moon, J. (2017). The Changing Role of Business in the Global Society: CSR and Beyond. In A Rasche et al. (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategy, Communication and Governance. Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1.

 

Strand, R., Freeman, R. E., & Hockerts, K. (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Scandinavia: An Overview. Journal of Business Ethics 127(1), 1–15.

 

Strand, R. & Freeman, R. E. (2015). The Scandinavian Cooperative Advantage: Theory and practice of stakeholder engagement in Scandinavia.  Journal of Business Ethics127(1), 65 – 85.
Last updated on 24-02-2021