• 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.

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's place 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 and organisations with extensive sustainability programmes. 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

Ordinary 6 weeks course

Preliminary assignment: The Nordic-9 pre-course is foundational for the summer university and identical for all bachelor courses. Students will receive an invitation with all details by the end of May. The assignment has two parts. 1.) online lectures and tutorials that student can access at their own time and 2.) one synchronous workshop which will be offered both online and in-person at several dates and times before the official start of the summer university courses. Sign-up is first come first serve. All students are expected to complete this assignment before classes begin.

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.

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:

Ghemawat, P. (2001). Distance still matters. The hard reality of global
expansion. Harvard Business Review , 79(8), 137-147.

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.