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2024/2025  KAN-CCBLO3013U  Business in a Changing World: German Perspectives

English Title
Business in a Changing World: German Perspectives

Course information
Language German
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc and MSc in Business, Language and Culture, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Verena Girschik - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 15-11-2024

Relevant links
Learning objectives
Content:
• Discuss the business models and strategies of German companies and account for their contextual embeddedness.
• Analyze and reflect on the responsibilities of companies and discuss opportunities and challenges posed by the German context.
• Discuss the implications of current societal changes on business practices.
• Independently formulate a relevant topic for discussion based on the themes and concepts in the course literature.
• Advance discussion by elaborating on the topics and concepts raised and relating these to other topics and concepts addressed during the course.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and concepts discussed during the course.
• Combine, discuss, and apply these theories in the analysis of topics relevant to the course.
• Critically evaluate and reflect on the theories, their application and limitations.

Language:
• Present and discuss a given topic in German using an appropriate and rich vocabulary and academic terminology.
• Present and discuss in a coherent manner without committing grammatical, lexical, idiomatic or pronunciation errors that disturb communication.
• Respond fluently to questions, so that the examination flows as a dialogue.
• Correct errors in the exam situation.
Examination
The exam in the subject consists of two parts:
Language - Business in a Changing World: German Perspectives:
Sub exam weight50%
Examination formOral 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 examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 3 pages
Assignment typeSynopsis
Release of assignmentSubject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam periodSummer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The course has only one exam consisting of two parts. The grade is given for the content of the synopsis and the oral presentation.

Content - Business in a Changing World: German Perspectives:
Sub exam weight50%
Examination formOral 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 examIndividual exam
Size of written productMax. 3 pages
Assignment typeSynopsis
Release of assignmentSubject chosen by students themselves, see guidelines if any
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale7-point grading scale
Examiner(s)Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam periodSummer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

The course has only one exam consisting of two parts. The grade is given for the content of the synopsis and the oral presentation.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course is concerned with the complex relation between business and society in a globalized world. As a regional course, it explores this relation in the context of Germany and offers a context-sensitive approach to understanding German companies’ activities at home and abroad.

 

The course adopts a management perspective and combines theoretical perspectives from International Business, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),  Organization Theory and other fields to address a variety of empirical topics and cases. To begin with, the course explores the German business landscape. Drawing on insights from International Business and Strategy research, the sessions in this theme explore prominent business models and strategies of Germany’s global players and hidden champions. The course then applies these insights to three thematic areas:

  1. Labour markets: This theme addresses challenges within German labour markets, such as flexibilization, segmentation, and gender inequality. Sessions will discuss their impact on companies and explore potential solutions.
  2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): This theme examines the social responsibilities of companies in addressing the world’s most pressing problems. Sessions will draw from CSR and organizational communication research to explore the evolving political and social roles of companies both at home and abroad.
  3. Consumer behaviour: This theme delves into research on consumer behavior, focusing on challenges like unsustainable consumption. Sessions will explore opportunities for change and the roles of companies, policymakers, and civil society in promoting sustainable practices.

 

Throughout the course, emphasis lies on analyzing problems and opportunities that arise from companies’ rootedness in the German context.
Description of the teaching methods
The course features a combination of lectures, case discussions, student presentations, and a writing workshop. These activities aim to develop student’s abilities to analyze, critically reflect on, and contextualize the theoretical concepts and ideas offered in the course literature. To generate a strong link between theory and empirics, the course combines academic articles and book chapters with policy reports, magazines, and other sources throughout. All activities and literature will be in German.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students receive focused individual feedback at two moments. First, following a writing workshop, students have the opportunity to receive written feedback on their use of academic written German. At the same time, students are encouraged to submit a draft of their synopsis to receive individual feedback from their peers, individual written feedback, and collective feedback in class.
Student workload
Lectures 30 hours
Exam 0.5 hours
Preparation 175.5 hours
Total 206 hours
Last updated on 15-11-2024