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2022/2023  KAN-CCMVV1447U  Green Transition and Multinational Enterprises

English Title
Green Transition and Multinational Enterprises

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 60
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Faith Hatani - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Innovation
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 11-02-2022

Relevant links
Learning objectives
The main learning objectives are as follows;
  • Explain academic concepts and theoretical frameworks in international business studies applicable to the analysis of green transition, and appropriately use them in your analysis.
  • Analyse the major driving forces and challenges that MNEs may face in the green transition in different industries and countries.
  • Identify key stakeholders of a firm’s business in a given context and analyse how their interactions promote or hinder the green transition.
  • Critically assess MNEs' practices and elaborate the positive and negative impacts of their “green businesses” on sustainability.
  • Demonstrate your own arguments about the role of the MNE in the green transition, and suggest actionable strategies and policy implications logically in a proper academic style.
Course prerequisites
There is no particular prerequisite to take this course. However, insights into the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in promoting green transition and its implications for sustainable development is essential. The knowledge of the academic literature on international business studies and global value chains is preferable. A good understanding of the nexus between business and government policies is advantageous.
Examination
Green Transition and Multinational Enterprises:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Aids Closed book: no aids
However, at all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office (minus Excel), digital pen and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Acrobat, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player), and the student is allowed to bring simple writing and drawing utensils (non-digital). PLEASE NOTE: Students are not allowed to communicate with others during the exam.
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.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam paper will consist of theoretical questions and a case-specific question in line with the frameworks of the course syllabus. Students need to answer all questions by logically providing their analysis and discussion, drawing upon the course materials, as well as relevant additional readings through their own literature search, which is encouraged to do in this course during the teaching period.

 
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

To achieve environmental sustainability, the green transition should be a shared goal of local societies and the international community. It is also a key aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals, in which partnerships across sectors are important. This course explores how MNEs can contribute to this global agenda through their businesses.

 

While the course will cover different countries, the main focus is on firms from advanced countries in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Those firms’ technological competitiveness and innovation efforts, backed by the green growth policies in their countries, are pivotal to promoting the green transition across borders.

 

The course will cover not only the energy sector but also different industries and their connections in an international setting. By doing so, the course examines how business entities could partake in the transition and consider the challenges they face. 

 
Description of the teaching methods
The course consists of lectures on analytical frameworks, case studies, discussions and exercises. Each lecture topic will be taught through a mixture of theories/concepts and case studies. Students’ active interactions and knowledge-sharing relevant to the course contents will form an integral part of the course.
Feedback during the teaching period
- Oral feedback on in-class discussions
- Oral feedback on exercise activities
Students can receive continuous feedback through proactive participation in in-class activities. Thus, students should come to lectures and exercises well-prepared to participate in discussions in each session.
Student workload
Teaching hours 33 hours
Preparation/self-studying for course and exam 169 hours
Exam 4 hours
Expected literature

OECD (2019) Innovation and business/market opportunities associated with energy transitions and a cleaner global environment.

 

Bass, A. E., & Grøgaard, B. (2021) The long-term energy transition: Drivers, outcomes, and the role of the multinational enterprise. Journal of International Business Studies, 52, 807–823.

 

Doh, J., Budhwar, P., & Wood, G. (2021) Long-term energy transitions and international business: Concepts, theory, methods, and a research agenda. Journal of International Business Studies, 52, 951–970.

 

Kemp, R., & Never, B. (2017) Green transition, industrial policy, and economic development. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 33(1), 66–84.

 

Lundan, S., & Leymann, G. (2021) Investing in sustainable infrastructure: New directions for international business research. Transnational Corporations, 28(3), 147-157.

 

Note: this suggested reading is only for an indicative purpose to give the background information of the course’s general theme. The course materials will include academic journal articles, policy reports and case studies. A complete reading list will be uploaded on Canvas before the course begins.
Last updated on 11-02-2022