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2026/2027  BA-BBLCV1162U  Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

English Title
Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 40
Max. participants 70
Study board
Study Board for Business, Language and Area Studies
Programme BSc in Business, Language and Culture
Course coordinator
  • Kai Hockerts - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Corporate governance
  • CSR and sustainability
  • Intercultural studies
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 30-01-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
At the end of the course you should be able to reflect critically on the company case analysis your group will develop in this course. In particular you will be required to:
  • Summarize the current state of affairs in Scandinavia in sustainability.
  • • Describe and reflect on the characterization of "Scandinavian management" and the role this may have in sustainability approaches and performances in Scandinavia while also critiquing such characterizations when they risk becoming stereotypes.
  • • Critically discuss partnership activities from a stakeholder and value added perspective in the Scandinavian region between companies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and governmental organizations and their relationship to sustainability and CSR.
  • • Analyze sustainability and CSR activities (management practices, stakeholder engagement, organizational structures, and reporting) at a selection of major Scandinavian firms.
Examination
Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

In this course, we consider the current state of sustainability and CSR in Scandinavia and explore factors that could be considered as having contributed to Scandinavia’s historically strong sustainability and CSR performances.

 

We will consider Scandinavian Sustainability in three different ways:

  1. We will identify what is quintessentially “Scandinavian Sustainability”? In other words what are the behaviors that are found primarily here and not elsewhere?
  2. Next, we will compare sustainability practices in Scandinavia with practices in other countries. How and why do they differ? How does this difference affect performance?
  3. Finally, we will look at how international standards and global practices are implemented and interpreted through a Scandinavian lens.

 

Scandinavia is described by some commentators as a world leader in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Notably, these include deep-routed traditions of stakeholder engagement across Scandinavia, in line with the recent concept of “creating shared value”. Another distinct feature is the active role of government that has encouraged strong CSR and sustainability performances of Scandinavian companies. Finally, many of the sustainable governance and finance solutions underpinning Scandinavian societies operate as hybrid public-private constellations. We compare and evaluate Scandinavian and other approaches to sustainability and CSR. We also reflect upon the challenges for Scandinavia to maintain its standing as a world leader and discuss how and why governments in Scandinavia engage in shaping CSR in business organizations.

 
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
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision
Description of the teaching methods
During lectures, we will go through the literature and case studies. We will have in-class group assignments. Groups are usually made up of 2-3 Scandinavian students and 2-3 international students facilitating a discussion of the course content form multiple perspectives. We will have guest lecturers to share their experience from the public, private and civil sector.
Feedback during the teaching period
Class discussion and feedback from educators will be included in the class syllabus and in particular in the group presentations.
Student workload
Preparation 164 hours
Teaching/Classroom time 38 hours
Examination 4 hours
Last updated on 30-01-2026