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2021/2022 KAN-CCBLV1023U What is Behind the Label? CSR and sustainability standards in developing countries
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| What is Behind the Label? CSR and sustainability standards in developing countries |
Course information |
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| Language | English |
| Course ECTS | 7.5 ECTS |
| Type | Elective |
| Level | Full Degree Master |
| 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,
MSc
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| Last updated on 11-02-2021 | |
Relevant links |
| Learning objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Describe and critically assess concepts and
methods covered in the course readings that are relevant to
assessing the impacts of sustainability policies and practices in
global value chains.
Design an innovative methodology for investigating the impact of such policies and practices on farms, firms, workers, and the environment in export-oriented industries in developing countries. Display an awareness of the intercultural and ethical challenges associated with researching economic, work, and environmental conditions in developing countries. |
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| Course prerequisites | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The most important qualification you need to
participate is intellectual curiosity and willingness to engage in
experimental forms of learning and innovation. It will also be
useful for students wishing to work, write their masters’ thesis
about sustainability and/or undertake fieldwork in developing
countries.
The course is also structured in such a way that you can also take it off-site if you are on exchange or undertaking an internship abroad with feedback being provided via email or SKYPE. |
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Have you ever thought about what is behind the product brand labels that you buy in stores such as H&M, IKEA, and Primark? Have you ever considered how you can trace or map how your clothes, coffee, chocolate or other products travel through the global economy and find out whether they are sustainably produced at the base of global value chains? In this course, we will explore what sustainability means for firms, factories, farmers, and workers in developing countries. In doing so, students will be introduced to a range of impact assessment tools. They will also be trained in designing innovative methodologies for assessing the effects of sustainability policies and practices in export-oriented industries in developing countries. The course is divided into two parts.
Global value chain mapping and sustainability impact assessment This involves training in value chain mapping and analysis as well as sustainability impact assessment at the base of these chains. Students will become familiarized with IT-enabled platforms that allow consumers to trace the sustainability impacts of the products that are manufactured, distributed, sold, consumed, and recycled in these chains. Furthermore, an introduction is given to the intercultural and ethical challenges associated with assessing the impact of sustainability certification in export-oriented industries in developing countries.
Teamwork and design of novel methodologies Students will learn about and practice teamwork in relation to impact assessment of sustainability policy and practice in global value chains. This involves several practical exercises enabling students to design an innovative methodology for assessing whether corporate sustainability claims are matched by on-the-ground practice in relation to firms, factories, farmers, and the environment in developing countries. Students will also be trained in how to act as consultants on a strategic level and market their methodology to help clients (either internally within existing companies or new customers) improve the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of export-oriented production in developing countries.
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| Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The course is built around a rigorous training platform that dynamically combines practice, reflection and theory. The course will introduce you to existing knowledge in this research and practice field including the use of lectures and class-based case exercises about global value chain analysis, impact assessment, and the use of IT-tools to facilitate methodological and organizational innovation in relation to impact measurement of sustainability certification in developing countries. We will also use learning techniques aimed at enhancing creative processes, exploring ideas and innovation using effective and fun brainstorming techniques, rapid prototyping and working with problem solving through design thinking practices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Feedback during the teaching period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The principal way for students to obtain feedback
on their readings and work for this course is through active
participation in class. Students are therefore expected to attend
lectures and classes regularly and to come prepared and be ready to
participate actively. The course is designed and hosted to support
more transparent and autonomous learning, and as such it endeavors
to run in a self-directed and collaborative way between students
and staff. Participation will also support incremental check-ins on
students’ progress. For instance, students will receive feedback
from a panel of practitioners on their draft methodology in the
last part of the course. In addition, students are given 10 minutes
of supervision in connection with their exam assignments. Finally,
students have the possibility of receiving individual and group
feedback during regular consultation hours.
The teaching period will be in the beginning of the semester, allowing students to focus on their assignment in the second part of the semester. |
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