About this course: 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.
Who is this class for: Whether you are practitioner working with sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) or are a novice, this course is aimed at anyone wanting to develop an understanding of sustainability and CSR from the leading region in the world: Scandinavia. Moreover, for anyone in the world with ancestral ties to Scandinavia, this course represents an opportunity to refresh considerations of Scandinavia in a modern context. No previous business experience required.
Taught by: Robert Strand, Assistant Professor, Ph.D
Department of Intercultural Communication and Management
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Video: 1.2) What is the purpose of business? From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman to Michael Porter.
- Reading: "The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits” by Milton Friedman
- Reading: Watch the Harvard Business Review video “Porter’s 5 Forces”
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons from our discussions so far?
- Video: 1.3a) What is sustainability? What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
- Video: 1.3b) Why do we need sustainability & CSR?
- Reading: Watch “What is Stakeholder Theory” with Professor Ed Freeman
- Reading: Read “The Origins of ‘the World’s Dumbest Idea’: Milton Friedman”
- Reading: Read the executive summary of “Creating Shared Value” by Michael Porter & Mark Kramer
- Reading: Watch the Daniel Pink video “Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates us”
- Video: 1.3c) Interview with Professor Mette Morsing, Copenhagen Business School
- Video: 1.3d) Interview with Mads Øvlisen, former CEO Novo Nordisk & “Father of CSR in Denmark
- Video: 1.3e) Interview with Professor Ed Freeman, University of Virginia Darden & oft-cited as “Father of Stakeholder Theory”
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons from our discussions so far?
- Video: 1.4) Reflections with Robert Strand
- Video: 2.2) Exploring sustainability & CSR in Scandinavia: My personal journey
- Reading: Read "Strategic Management in the Era of Cooperation: Toward a Theory of Scandinavian Cooperative Advantage" by Robert Strand
- Video: 2.3) Why explore sustainability & CSR in Scandinavia?
- Reading: Read Financial Times article "Scandinavia can be an inspiration for creating shared value" by Robert Strand
- Video: 2.4) Scandinavian Creating Shared Value
- Reading: Watch "Swedishness"
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons about Scandinavia and sustainability & CSR in Scandinavia so far?
- Video: 2.5a) What is Scandinavian culture?
- Video: 2.5b) Interview with Mads Øvlisen, former CEO Novo Nordisk & “Father of CSR in Denmark
- Reading: Scandinavian Creating Shared Value
- Discussion Prompt: Lagom
- Discussion Prompt: Taking a critical viewpoint
- Video: Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part A
- Video: Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part B
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons from discussion with Mads Øvlisen, former CEO of Novo Nordisk?
- Video: Conversation with Mads Øvlisen Part C
- Video: Conversation with Susanne Stormer Part A
- Video: Conversation with Susanne Stormer Part B
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons from Susanne Stormer of Novo Nordisk?
- Practice Quiz: 4.1-4.3)
- Video: Conversation with Professor Steen Thomsen, Copenhagen Business School Part A
- Video: Conversation with Professor Steen Thomsen, Copenhagen Business School Part B
- Video: 5.4) Reflections on Discussion with Professor Steen Thomsen
- Discussion Prompt: Lessons from discussion with Professor Steen Thomsen?
- Reading: Optional viewing: 'The Corporation' (2003)
- Discussion Prompt: Revisiting your previous Critical Reflection
- Video: 6.2) Becoming a Sustainable Viking
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
| Purchase Course | |
|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Inspiring !
This course offers a great value for both students with general interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability as well as experienced professionals who are looking for a refreshed perspective. I particularly appreciated the structure of the course, the quality of the content and the thoughtful insights that the guests shared with the students. The course has inspired me to think about practical applications of Scandinavian management practices in my local context and left me positively energized about the future of CSR and sustainability.
NN
Great content and very interesting course with a lot of good examples