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2021/2022  BA-BHAAI1086U  International Business and Sustainability

English Title
International Business and Sustainability

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration Summer
Start time of the course Summer
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 100
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Henrik Gundelach - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
For academic questions related to the course, please contact course responsible Henrik Gundelach (hg.msc@cbs.dk).
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 01-12-2021

Relevant links

Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Identify key concepts, frameworks and theories behind international business practices discussed during the course.
  • Use relevant theories and frameworks to analyze challenges and problems associated with implementation of international business practices.
  • Understand and assess the dilemmas and challenges facing the international firm in different contexts and in their role in implementing the sustainability agenda.
  • Discuss how recent developments in the society at large challenge conventional international business practices.
  • Identify, critically assess and apply international business concepts, theories and frameworks to real cases.
Course prerequisites
Open to all bachelor students.
Examination
International Business and Sustainability:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Case based assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Aids Open book: all written and electronic aids, including internet access
Read more here about which exam aids the students are allowed to bring and will be given access to : Exam aids and IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
The 1st retake is the same as the ordinary exam, and the 2nd retake is a 72-hour, maximum 10-pages home assignment.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam consists of two parts:

  1. Questions related to a specific theory or framework from the course curriculum
  2. Questions related to a short (approximately 5 pages) case
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course is about the international firm and its role in society. We will explore both the firm’s obligation to conduct its business as profitably as possible and at the same time acting responsibly to the society at large.

This intersection between international business (IB) and society is highlighted in the United Nation’s resolution - Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - from 2015: 

“We acknowledge the role of the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals, and that of civil society organizations and philanthropic organizations in the implementation of the new Agenda”.

The first part of this course deals with the various aspects of conducting IB. After an introductory class about IB in the societal agenda, we will spend a good deal of time learning about the foundations for conducting IB, namely, how firms expand internationally, and how they conduct their business outside their home borders. We will obtain a good overview of the essential concepts, theories and analytical frameworks in IB. The textbook for the course endeavours to answer the ‘big question’ posed by the authors: What determines the success and failure of firms around the globe? We will, through the readings and in-class exercises and discussions, dig into the exciting world of IB to find the answers.

During the latter part of the course, we will expand the big question to include: ‘What can IB do to assist in implementing the SDG agenda?’ In-class exercises and discussions will be based on cases, and will in some instances involve ‘live’ cases with representatives from firms who took part in a recent Dansk Industri project: “From philanthropy to business”. Our work will be concentrated around some of the SDGs, for example: 1: No poverty, 2: Zero hunger, 8: Decent work and economic growth, 12: Responsible consumption and production, and 17: Partnerships for the goals.

The preparation for classes 2 to 8 consists mainly of reading chapters in the textbook, whereas the preparation for classes 9 - 11 will entail casework and group presentations.

 

The course structure is planned as follows (changes may occur):

Preliminary assignment: Short readings and videos
Class 1:The role of international business in implementing the SDG agenda
Class 2:Globalizing business (Book chapter 1)
Class 3:Formal institutions: Political, economic and legal systems (chapter 2)
Class 4:Informal institutions: Culture, religion and languages (chapter 3)
Class 5:Firm resources: Competitiveness and growth (chapter 4)
Class 6:Investing abroad directly (chapter 6)

Feedback activity: Test exam and individual feedback

Class 7:Starting international business (chapter 11)
Class 8:Foreign entry strategies (chapter 12)
Class 9:Socially responsible international business (chapter 10)
Class 10:Socially responsible international business and the SDGs
Class 11:Socially responsible international business and the SDGs

Description of the teaching methods
The course consists of face-to-face class sessions that are supplemented with online materials and activities. The textbook and other readings will be accompanied by video material and podcasts to enhance the learning experience. An important component of this course is in-class discussions based on short cases. Additionally, in some of the classes, we will meet practitioners to try and understand the challenges and opportunities of IB in today's complex business environment.
Feedback during the teaching period
An optional on-line quiz style test and assignment will be made available.
Student workload
Preliminary assignment 20 hours
Classroom attendance 38 hours
Preparation 137 hours
Feedback activity 7 hours
Examination 4 hours
Further Information

Ordinary 6 weeks course

 

A generic test/assignment will be developed concerning “Nordic Nine”. It will be uploaded on Canvas at the end of May. Students are expected to access this assignment before classes begin. The assignment will not be reviewed in classes.

 

Course and exam timetable is/will be available on https://www.cbs.dk/uddannelse/international-summer-university-programme-isup/courses-and-exams

 

We reserve the right to cancel the course if we do not get enough applications. This will be communicated on https://www.cbs.dk/uddannelse/international-summer-university-programme-isup/courses-and-exams in start March.

 

Expected literature

Mandatory readings:

Preparation:
A few newspaper and magazine articles to read. Watch two related videos, and prepare a short case for an in-class discussion.

Textbook:
International Business by Mike Peng and Klaus Meyer. 3rd Edition, 2019. ISBN: 9781473758438. (to be purchased - further information will be provided on Canvas).

Articles:
Forcadell, F. J., & Aracil, E. (2019). Can multinational companies foster institutional change and sustainable development in emerging countries? A case study. Business Strategy & Development, 2(2), 91-105

Hansen, M. W., & Gundelach, H. (2020). Turning the Sustainable Development Goals into Business Opportunities. Dansk Industri.

Karnani, A. (2008). Help, don't romanticize, the poor. Business Strategy Review, 19(2), 48-53.

Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating Shared Value. Harvard business review, 1-13.

Prahalad, C. K., & Hart, S. L. (2002). The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid. Strategy + Business, 26(26), 54-67.

Additional relevant (optional) readings:

Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. (2019). The Sustainable Development Goals - A World of Opportunities for Danish Businesses. 

Gestrin, M. V. (2019). The contribution of international business investment to the Sustainable Development Goals: Key actors and recent trends.

IFU - Industrialiseringsfonden for Udviklingslande. (2015). Sustainable Investments - A Handbook for our partners. 

OECD. (2019). Social Impact Investment 2019  - The Impact Imperative for Sustainable Development. 

McKinsey & Company. (2020). Helping create positive, enduring change in the world - Social Responsibility Report 2019.

UNCTAD. (2016). Trading Into Sustainable Development: Trade, Market Access, and the Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations. 

United Nations General Assembly. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Last updated on 01-12-2021