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2023/2024  BA-BBLCO2103U  International Business and Sustainability

English Title
International Business and Sustainability

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 and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Evis Sinani - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 28-06-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Critically assess the theories and models presented in the class when analyzing international business and sustainability issues.
  • Discuss and analyze the strengths and the weaknesses of relevant theories and models applied to given international business and sustainability issues.
  • Define and explain the key concepts in the analysis and discussion of the theories and models presented in class.
  • Identify and apply international business concepts, theories and frameworks to real cases.
  • Understand and assess the dilemmas and challenges that the international firm faces when implementing the sustainability agenda and discuss their impact on the society.
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 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
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam consist of questions from the course material covered in the lectures and exercise sessions.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Sustainability in international business is more than simply adopting sustainable practices. It has the potential to help firms gain competitive advantage. Indeed, sustainability is becoming more important for firms across all industries, and many executives consider a sustainable business strategy necessary for firms to be competitive in today’s business environment.

 

In this course, we will explore the role of the -international firm- in the business community and the society and focus on how international firms take decisions in a changing global environment, and how these decisions relate to sustainability, and in turn to profitability. 

 

The course is designed to increase the student's understanding and their analytical skills on the complexity and the continuously evolving nature of international business. The course will introduce issues such as, the role of firm resources, location and ownership advantages for internationalization, the different entry mode choices, and firm competitive strategies in the international market. We will also examine the influence of cultural, economic, political and legal factors on firm internationalization decisions and on the competitiveness of an international business. 

 

As we tackle international business issues, we will also discuss the challenges and dilemmas of how international business contributes to sustainable development goals and how sustainability can extend the current models of competition leading to firms’ sustainable competitive advantages.

 

This course is based on the international business theories such as: the resource-based view, the OLI theory, modes of entry; competitive dynamics; and the institutional approach where we place importance on all the pillars of institutions. Furthermore, the course will complement the knowledge from the course -Organisation, Communication and Culture through a joint case.

 
Description of the teaching methods
This course employs a mix of lectures and case studies. Lectures will cover core concepts and theories in international economics and competitiveness, and all the class is expected to participate in an interactive discussion. Case studies will be included in order to demonstrate the practical importance of the concepts and theories introduced in lectures. In such cases, case studies will have to be read and prepared by students before the lecture. In the class students will be presented with questions regarding the case. This will provide the basis for a greater level of interaction and student understanding of theoretical notions. Finally, this course supports blended learning with active online interaction with content related videos, quizzes and debate questions, followed by in class discussion that promotes active learning.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is given in the class, through quizzes; during the tutorial sessions that take place every week; as well as during office hours, which are organized once a week for the duration of the course.
Student workload
Lectures 20 hours
Tutorials 32 hours
Preparation for lectures 50 hours
Exam preparation 100 hours
Exam 4 hours
Total 206 hours
Further Information

Please note that the course will run the first time in Autumn 2022.
Expected literature

Textbook  

International Business, by Mike Peng and Klaus E. Meyer , Cenage Learning.
Last updated on 28-06-2023