English   Danish

2025/2026  KAN-CSCAO2402U  Managing the Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation

English Title
Managing the Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation

Course information
Language English
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 Markets & Innovation
Course coordinator
  • Andreas Wieland - Department of Operations Management (OM)
The course is taught by Philip Beske-Janssen
Main academic disciplines
  • Supply chain management and logistics
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 27-04-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • take theoretical perspectives to sustainability in an extended supply chain context
  • understand the sustainability impacts of supply chains on different levels
  • explain different approaches to transforming towards sustainable supply chain management
  • critically reflect on past and current implementations of sustainable supply chains
  • apply knowledge about sustainability in order to solve relevant business problems.
Examination
Managing the Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation:
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 Spring
Aids Closed book: no aids
However, at all written sit-in exams the student has access to the basic IT application package (Microsoft Office365 (minus Excel), document camera and paper, 7-zip file manager, Adobe Reader DC, PDF24, Texlive, VLC player, Windows Media Player – ATTENTION no sound allowed), 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 use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools or apps is not allowed for this exam.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course explores the critical aspects of sustainable supply chain management in the context of global business. In today's global economy, the impact of supply chains, both positive and negative, makes the integration of environmental and ethical considerations into supply chain management strategies and operations a necessity. Many companies have already started to transform their supply chains to become more sustainable and even circular. The course will introduce relevant issues and critically reflect on the current implementation of sustainability in supply chains. Through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will learn how to apply this knowledge in a management context. The course also covers topics such as stakeholder management, buyer-supplier relationships, circular supply chains, philosophy, negotiation, and sustainable performance management. 
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
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The course is built on research-based teaching and supported by case-based teaching. Students are encouraged to actively participate in group work and discussions.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is provided via various sources. These are:

- personal meetings, e.g. office hours or briefly after the lecture
- regular short assignments, e.g. slido quizzes
- case assignments related to topics of the course and discussion of solutions
- in class discussion related to all topics of the course

Student workload
Lectures 33 hours
Readings, Exercises, Preparation Exam 173 hours
Expected literature

 

Mandatory literature:

  • Beske, P., & Seuring, S. (2014). Putting sustainability into supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 19 (3), 322–331.
  • Dijkstra-Silva, S., Schaltegger, S., & Beske-Janssen, P. (2022). Understanding positive contributions to sustainability. A systematic review. Journal of Environmental Management, 320, 115802.Dyer, JH, Singh, H, Hesterly, WS. (2018) “The relational view revisited: A dynamic perspective on value creation and value capture.” Strategic Management Journal, 39, 3140–3162.

  • LeBaron, G. (2021). The role of supply chains in the global business of forced labour. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 57 (2), 29–42.

  • Mitchell, R.K., Agle, B.R., Wood, D.J. 1997. Toward a Theory of Stakeholder Identification and Salience: Defining the Principles of Who and What Really Counts. Academy of Management Review, 22 (4), 853–886.

  • Seuring, S., & Müller, M. (2008). From a literature review to a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16 (15), 1699–1710.

  • Whipple, J.M., Griffis, S.E., Daugherty, P.J. 2013. Conceptualizations of Trust: Can We Trust Them? Journal of Business Logistics, 34, 117–130.

  • Wieland, A., & Creutzig, F. (2025). Taking Academic Ownership of the Supply Chain Emissions Discourse. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 61 (1), 3–13.

 

Additional literature will be announced in the class.

Last updated on 27-04-2025