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Sustainable Vikings: Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility in Scandinavia

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Scandinavian countries, including case studies from companies such as IKEA and Novo Nordisk.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the unique approaches Scandinavian countries take towards sustainability and CSR
Examine case studies of sustainable practices in Scandinavian businesses
Understand the role of government and policy in promoting sustainability

Learning Outcomes

Understand the unique approaches Scandinavian countries take towards sustainability and CSR
Analyze case studies of sustainable practices in Scandinavian businesses
Evaluate government and policy's role in promoting sustainability

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of business and sustainability concepts
Ability to understand and analyze case studies

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Quizzes

Similar Courses

Sustainable Business Strategy
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Sustainability, Society and You

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Elisabeth Braw
Maja Göpel

Related Books

Description

This course gives you immediate access to the world leading sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Scandinavian firms dominate the major sustainability and CSR performance indicators including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). In this course we explore the concepts of sustainability and CSR and focus attention on how Scandinavian firms, like Novo Nordisk, have achieved superior sustainability and CSR performances. We consider what lessons can be drawn by managers and firms irrespective of where they may be located in the world.

Through this course, participants will: • Gain appreciation of the concepts of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and be able to situate these concepts within the broader debates about the role of business in society • Understand the sustainability and CSR approaches by leading Scandinavian companies • Describe how partnerships between companies, NGOs, and government are fundamental to the sustainability and CSR by Scandinavian companies • Be able to describe the characterization of the “Scandinavian management” and the role Scandinavian management plays in sustainability and CSR approaches by Scandinavian firms • Become familiarized with concept of “Scandinavian Cooperative Advantage” and understand how it challenges the dominant view of strategic management.

Outline

Introduction to Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
1.1) Course Overview
1.2) What is the purpose of business? From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman to Michael Porter.
1.3a) What is sustainability? What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
1.3b) Why do we need sustainability & CSR?
1.3c) Interview with Professor Mette Morsing, Copenhagen Business School
1.3d) Interview with Mads Øvlisen, former CEO Novo Nordisk & “Father of CSR in Denmark
1.3e) Interview with Professor Ed Freeman, University of Virginia Darden & oft-cited as “Father of Stakeholder Theory”
1.4) Reflections with Robert Strand
"The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits” by Milton Friedman
Watch the Harvard Business Review video “Porter’s 5 Forces”
Watch “What is Stakeholder Theory” with Professor Ed Freeman
Read “The Origins of ‘the World’s Dumbest Idea’: Milton Friedman”
Read the executive summary of “Creating Shared Value” by Michael Porter & Mark Kramer
Watch the Daniel Pink video “Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates us”
1.2)
1.3)
1.4)

Scandinavia: An Introduction
2.1) What is Scandinavia?
2.2) Exploring sustainability & CSR in Scandinavia: My personal journey
2.3) Why explore sustainability & CSR in Scandinavia?
2.4) Scandinavian Creating Shared Value
2.5a) What is Scandinavian culture?
2.5b) Interview with Mads Øvlisen, former CEO Novo Nordisk & “Father of CSR in Denmark
Read "Strategic Management in the Era of Cooperation: Toward a Theory of Scandinavian Cooperative Advantage" by Robert Strand
Read Financial Times article "Scandinavia can be an inspiration for creating shared value" by Robert Strand
Watch "Swedishness"
2.1-2.5)

Scandinavian Leadership & Management
3.1) What does Scandinavian leadership & management look like?
Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part A
Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part B
Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part C
Scandinavian Creating Shared Value
Quiz 3.1)
Quiz 3.2-3.3)

Case study of a Scandinavian sustainability leader: Novo Nordisk
4.1) Introduction to a global sustainability leader: Novo Nordisk
Conversation with Susanne Stormer Part A
Conversation with Susanne Stormer Part B
4.1-4.3)

Scandinavian Corporate Governance
5.1) Introduction to Corporate Governance in Scandinavia
Conversation with Professor Steen Thomsen, Copenhagen Business School Part A
Conversation with Professor Steen Thomsen, Copenhagen Business School Part B
5.4) Reflections on Discussion with Professor Steen Thomsen
Quiz 5.1)
Quiz 5.4)

Course reflections: On Becoming a Sustainable Viking
6.1) Reflections from this course
6.2) Becoming a Sustainable Viking
Optional viewing: 'The Corporation' (2003)

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Sustainable Vikings: Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility in Scandinavia

This course gives you immediate access to the world leading sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Through this course, participants will:...

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