• The student shall be able to write a readable and well-structured mini-project that meets basic academic requirements regarding references, literature list etc.
• The student shall be able to select and apply relevant theories for the case/problem being addressed in the miniproject
• The student shall be able to argue for the appropriateness of the theory/theories selected for the case/problem
• The student shall be familiar with different theories and approaches regarding the management of corporate sustainability in global supply chains
• The student shall be able to understand and explain the relationship between the theories
• The student shall be able to select relevant theory to address a particular problems in managing supply chains
• The student shall be able to combine theories and approaches depending on the problem being addressed
• The student shall be able to conduct a satisfactory analysis of the case/problem using the theories/models selected.
• The student shall be able to critically evaluate the choice of theory and methodology used in the mini-projec

An increasing number of companies in the Western world outsource parts of their production to low-wage countries with poor social and environmental standards. Such long-distance outsourcing makes it difficult for companies to ensure that their products are being produced under socially and environmentally sound conditions. The course attempts to make the students capable of understanding and managing the opportunities and barriers facing companies, which seek to exercise social and environmental responsibility in their supply chains.

The course will in particular deal with the following topics:

- Introduction to the concept of corporate sustainability and CSR.

- The rise of global supply chains.

- The costs and benefits of corporate sustainability.

- Non-governmental organizations and their influence on corporate behavior.

- Theoretical and practical approaches to understanding the integration of social and environmental issues into supplier relations.

- Social and environmental audits, standards and labels.

- Responses by Third World suppliers.

- Circular economy and global supply chains

This course is part of the minor in Sustainable Business

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• Murray, A., Skene, K. and Haynes, K. (2017), The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context, Journal of business Ethics, 140 (3): 69-380.
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