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2025/2026  BA-BHAAV2276U  Green Transition and Business Innovation

English Title
Green Transition and Business Innovation

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Third Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 70
Study board
Study Board of General Management
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
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 30-01-2025

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 apply them to your analysis.
  • Understand the major driving forces and challenges to the green transition, which firms may face in different industries and countries.
  • Identify key stakeholders of a firm’s business in a given context and assess how their interactions promote or hinder the green transition.
  • Critically analyse business practices and elaborate on their positive and negative impacts on sustainability issues.
  • Develop and demonstrate your own arguments about the role of business entities in the green transition, and suggest actionable strategies and policy implications.
  • Structure your arguments/discussions logically and present them in a relevant academic style.
Course prerequisites
The course is open to all undergraduate students in their final year. No prerequisite is required to take this course. However, genuine interest and good insights into the role of business in promoting the green transition are essential. The knowledge of the academic literature on international business and global value chains is preferable. A good understanding of the nexus between business strategy and government policies is advantageous.
Examination
Green Transition and Business Innovation:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
The exam is academic essay writing. Thus, the written product must apply a theoretical framework/academic concepts covered by this course and provide analysis and discussion, not just descriptions. The length should be up to 10 pages including figures/tables but excluding a list of references. Footnotes/endnotes and appendix should not be used. A detailed style guide will be provided during the course.
Assignment type Essay
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 7 days to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
A different essay question will be given for a retake.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam question will indicate a general setting/issue that students need to address in their answers. Students are required to design their analytical focus/approach individually, which must address the exam question directly and clearly. Students should draw upon the course materials and also conduct a literature search to find additional relevant sources. Students should provide in-depth analysis and discussion and present logical arguments in an appropriate academic writing style.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course critically examines how different types of firms - including large multinational corporations and small firms - partake in the green transition through their businesses.

 

The green transition should be a shared goal of both local societies and the international community to realise sustainability. It is also a key aspect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in which partnerships across sectors are crucial. Firms’ innovation efforts, backed by green growth policies, are pivotal to promoting the green transition. However, business activities, as well as consumer behaviours, often create negative impacts on the environment and society.

 

Given this, the course discusses various business aspects, including not only technological innovation but also business practices, across different industries and countries. By doing so, it analyses the challenges that firms face and considers possible ways in which various economic actors could contribute to the green transition.

 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The course comprises lectures on theoretical frameworks, case studies and class discussions. Each lecture topic is 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
- Q&A in the Discussion Forum on the Canvas platform.

Students can obtain continuous feedback through proactive participation in class activities. Thus, attendance is important. Students should be well-prepared to participate in class effectively.
Student workload
Lectures 38 hours
Preparation, self-studying and exam 170 hours
Expected literature

Background readings:

The following materials will provide a useful background of the course's theme; 

 

Core readings: 

The course readings consist of academic articles, policy reports and case studies. A complete reading list will be provided in Canvas.
Last updated on 30-01-2025