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2022/2023  BA-BPOLO2014U  Business Strategy and SDGs

English Title
Business Strategy and SDGs

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Christian Schumacher - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
  • Stine Haakonsson - Department of Organization (IOA)
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Leadership
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 24-06-2022

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify, explain, and discuss the key theories, models and concepts of business strategy, strategic leadership and strategic decision making, and apply them to the advancement of the SDGs.
  • Ability to reflect and discuss multilevel perspectives on the role of firms and managers for the humanity’s grand challenges and apply knowledge from business strategy and strategy leadership to help resolve them
  • Analyze business case studies applying relevant concepts and theories of business strategy, strategic leadership and strategic decision making
  • Discuss and critically reflect on the interdependencies of business and society in addressing global challenges such as the SDGs
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
There is one mandatory assignment in the course. The assignment is a preliminary case for the exam 3 pages per group. The mandatory assignment is in the exam groups of 3-5 students.

Feedback on the assignment will be provided through a feedback session in exercise classes. The assignment has to be approved if a student is to participate in the final examination.

If the mandatory assignment is not approved or there has been documented illness a retake assignment (3 page, 48 hours) will be offered before the final ordinary exams.

Please note that to submit the retake assignment it is a precondition that the student has made a legitimate attempt when the assignment was set for the first time unless it can be documented that the lack of submission/participation was caused by illness or similar circumstances.

More information on prerequisites for participating in the exam: compulsory activities can be found in the BSc IBP Programme Regulations §13.1-5.
Examination
Business Strategy and SDGs:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Individual oral exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 3-5
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Assignment type Synopsis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam Oral Exam
Duration: 30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time: No preparation
Examiner(s): If it is an internal examination, there will be a second internal examiner at the re-exam. If it is an external examination, there will be an external examiner.
Description of the exam procedure

During the course the students will apply theories to a case study and

the synopsis is the product of this process. The exam will start with a brief presentation of this written product. 
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course will provide students a detailed introduction to core theories and principles in business strategy, strategic leadership and strategic decision making, in the context of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving the SDGs has been viewed as the key challenge for the new decade, and there has been an increasing pressure on firms and their executives to contribute to the advancement of the SDGs. The course is designed to explore how firm executives can align their business strategy with the SDGs and potential challenges with it. The goal of this course is to provide 1) a framework for understanding the main elements of a business strategy 2) a thorough understanding of strategic leadership and fundamental managerial decision-making concepts and 3) knowledge and insights into contextual factors, i.e. the co-evolution of business strategy and institutional framework in a time of transition. Furthermore, the course will open for critical discussion and reflection on the role and commitment of different types of organizations and the SDGs and introduce approaches such as transformative innovation and directionality/mission economy.
Description of the teaching methods
Teaching methods and materials include weekly lectures and exercises with case studies; lecture slides, readings, scientific articles, handouts, and videos.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is integrated into every part of the course. There will be assignments, quizzes and hands-on exercises as part of the course. The students will receive feedback on all these activities. Furthermore, the lectures are discussion-based and provide students with a continuous opportunity to critically assess the presented topics and to get immediate feedback in response. The instructors will provide further feedback as needed via email and during office hours. The course also includes peer feedback to a mandatory assignment.
Student workload
Lectures, exercises and workshops 38 hours
Preparation, peer feedback and reading 100 hours
Exam incl. preparation 70 hours
Last updated on 24-06-2022