2023/2024 BA-BHAAI1086U International Business and Sustainability
English Title | |
International Business and Sustainability |
Course information |
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Language | English |
Course ECTS | 7.5 ECTS |
Type | Elective |
Level | Bachelor |
Duration | Summer |
Start time of the course | Summer |
Timetable | Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk |
Min. participants | 30 |
Max. participants | 100 |
Study board |
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business
Administration
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Course coordinator | |
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For academic questions related to the course, please contact course responsible Martin Skrydstrup (msk.msc@cbs.dk). | |
Main academic disciplines | |
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Teaching methods | |
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Last updated on 22-11-2023 |
Relevant links |
Learning objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the
following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or
errors:
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Course prerequisites | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open to all bachelor students. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Course content, structure and pedagogical approach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This course is about global corporations and their roles and responsibilities in society at large. We will explore both multinational corporations' obligation to conduct their business as profitably as possible and at the same time acting responsibly to society at large. A key question of the class is to what extent these two core commitments are contradictive and to what extent they are congruent?
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? Through the textbook chapters, combined with in-class case exercises and discussions, dive into the exciting world of IB and look for answers to this bold question. During the latter part of the course, we will extend 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 comprehensive 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 course outline is as follows (subject to changes without prior notificaton): Preliminary assignment: Short readings and videos
Feedback activity: Test exam and individual feedback Class 7:Starting international business (chapter 11)
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Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The course consists of face-to-face class sessions that are supplemented with online materials and activities. The textbook and other readings will be accompanied by video material and podcasts to enhance the learning experience. An important component of this course is in-class discussions based on short cases. Additionally, in some of the classes, we will meet practitioners to try and understand the challenges and opportunities of IB in today's complex business environment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feedback during the teaching period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
An optional on-line quiz style test and assignment will be made available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student workload | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6-week course.
Preliminary assignment: The Nordic Nine 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.
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Expected literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Required readings:
Preparation:
Textbook:
Articles: Ghemawat, P. (2001). Distance still matters. The hard reality of
global
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. |