Courses and Teaching

Copenhagen Business School offers a number of sustainability related courses, including electives and obligatory courses that can be taken either as part of specific study program or as electives. We also have specific sustainability-related master programs and minors.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Minor

Minor in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is available to all Master's students at CBS.

This minor is designed to immerse students into the global sustainability challenges embarked upon by institutional investors, investment firms and innovative companies, to develop strategy, management systems, metrics, data quality and ESG reporting. Students will gain a sound theoretical understanding in the area if ESG accounting and reporting together with technical understanding that will equip students to understand, among other things; carbon accounting, materiality matrixes and voluntary versus mandatory ESG disclosures. Students will also gain first hand knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable and responsible investments. Still further the minor includes an applied course where students will be presented cutting edge case-studies allowing for theoretical understanding to be applied to real life cases.

The minor consists of the three following courses:

ESG, Sustainable and Impact Investments (7.5 ECTS)
Critical Cases in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Investments (7.5 ECTS)
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): Data, Accounting, and Reporting (7.5 ECTS)

PDF icon Read more about the ESG minor here
 

Carbon Literacy Workshop

Carbon Literacy: “An awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis."

The prior workshop took place 4 February 2020, 9:00 - 17:00 at Dalgas Have Room DH.Ø.1.20, Copenhagen Business School. 

Follow CBS PRME on Facebook to stay updated on the next Carbon Literacy workshop!

By taking this free workshop, participants are eligible to become Carbon Literacy certified. Participants who wish to get the Carbon Literacy Certification will need to pay a 10 GBP fee directly to the issuing organization.

By taking part in this training, you will gain an understanding of:

  • The basic science behind the climate crisis
  • The impact different sectors such as food have on our climate and vice versa
  • Climate Change mitigation tools for your discipline or/and function
  • Solutions with the highest impact
  • Strategies and skills for communicating and/or teaching climate actions
  • Your personal possibilities to take action privately and in your current/ future role

The purpose is to understand how you - as business school students and the leaders of the future - are addressing the issue of climate change, and discuss your understanding and expectations of the role of government and the private sector.

Today, over 11,000 individuals and more than 31 organizations are Carbon Literate. Are you?

Read more about Carbon Literacy here
If you have any questions please contact, Lavinia Iosif-Lazar, li.edu@cbs.dk

Bachelor's Level
 

LAnguage 

COURSE                                                                                              

COORDINATOR/

CONTRIBUTOR 

LINK

DK Ethics and responsibility Mads Peter Karlsen and Rasmus Johnsen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BFILO1304U.aspx
EN Fashion Entrepreneurship and Business Development Fabian Csaba http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/BA-BBLCV6000U.aspx
EN/DK Interdisciplinary Case 2: Responsible Management Erin Leitheiser

http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BIMKO1079U.aspx

http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BIMKO1608U.aspx

EN Introduction to Sustainable Business Karin Buhmann http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/BA-BHAAV5003U.aspx
EN Scandinavian Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility Jeremy Moon http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/BA-BBLCV1162U.aspx
EN Service Innovation and sustainability Adriana Budeanu http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BSSIO1013U.aspx
EN Supply Chain Risk Management Andreas Wieland http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BISHO2010U.aspx
EN Sustainable Behavior: Tools to foster change Jan Michael Bauer and Wencke Gwozdz http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BIMKV1702U.aspx
EN The Corporation in Society: Managing Beyond Markets Andreas Rasche http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/BA-BBLCO6001U.aspx
EN The Persuasive Power of External Communication in Shaping Business Fates and Fortunes Jay Rubin and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BHAAI1034U.aspx
EN Tourism Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Florence Villeseche http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BSTHO1022U.aspx
EN Tourism Supply and Operations Management: Tourism and Hospitality Ana Maria Munar http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/BA-BSTHO1011U.aspx

Master's Level

 

LANGUAGE

 

COURSE

COORDINATOR/

CONTRIBUTOR

 

LINK

EN Achieving the SDGs: Environmental Sustainability for Organizations Kristjan Jespersen and Paige Olmsted

http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1738U.aspx

EN Achieving the SDGs: Feeding the Future of Agricultural Sustainability Kristjan Jespersen and Paige Olmsted http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1737U.aspx
EN  Behavioural Economics Thomas Poulsen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CPHIO2002U.aspx
EN Behavioural Insights and Sustainability  Jan Michael Bauer and Wencke Gwozdz http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CIBCV1508U.aspx
EN Behavioural Public Policy for Sustainable Development Lucia Reisch and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2055U.aspx
EN Blockchain and Sustainable Digital Infrastructures for Business Kristjan Jesperse http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1739U.aspx
EN Brand Aid: Cause-Related Marketing, Celebrity Humanitarianism and Ethical Consumption Stefano Ponte http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLV1801U.aspx
EN Business & Human Rights: Governance, Leadership and Management Karin Buhmann http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLV2015U.aspx
FR Business and Social Responsibility in Francophone Countries Mette Zølner http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLO1701U.aspx
EN Business and Society: Beyond Compliance toward Sustainability, Innovation and Social Impact Karen Becker and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2032U.aspx
EN Business Responsibilities for Human Rights Karin Buhmann http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CPOLO1046U.aspx
SPA Business Strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean Jacobo Ramirez http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLO2006U.aspx
EN Catchy and Fair: Consumer communication through packaging design Viktor Smith http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CIBCV1509U.aspx
EN Circular Economic thinking in competitive businesses Jesper Clement http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1726U.aspx
EN CSR - A Path to Sustainable Development? Peter Lund-Thomsen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBDO1007U.aspx
EN CSR  - Managing the Social Impact of Business Steen Vallentin  http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CPHIO3000U.aspx
EN Corporate Citizenship: Political Responsibility in Theory and Practice  Jeremy Moon http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV5033U.aspx
EN Corporate Responsibility and Organization Dennis Schoeneborn http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CKOMO2014U.aspx
EN Corporate Responsibility and Society Anne Vestergaard http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CKOMO2015U.aspx
EN Corporate Social Responsibility in Global Supply Chains Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV4011U.aspx
EN Consulting for Sustainability - Harnessing Business Models and Innovation Kristjan Jespersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1801U.aspx
EN Creating markets for sustainable products Trina Pallesen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV4019U.aspx
EN Design Business in Society Trine Bille http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CSDEO1004U.aspx
EN Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility Beyond Borders Lotte Holck and Minna Paunova http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLO2012U.aspx
EN Edinburgh-Copenhagen Urban Challenge Kristjan Jespersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCBLC1003U.aspx
EN Hamburg-Copenhagen Urban Challenge Luise Noring http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLC1001U.aspx
EN Helsinki-Copenhagen Urban Challenge Maria Figueroa http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCBLC1004U.aspx
EN  Impact Investing in Finance Thomas P. Duffin and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2045U.aspx
EN Impact Investing - The Effectiveness of Institutional Investors in purpose-driven finance Kai Hockerts http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1736U.aspx
EN Leading and Managing in Latin America Jacobo Ramirez http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLO2002U.aspx
EN Leading Responsible Corporations Jesper Rangvid http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/MA-MMBAO2027U.aspx
EN Leading Responsible Corporations and Supply Chain Management Jesper Rangvid http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/MA-MMBAO1501U.aspx
EN Making the Private Sector Work for Development: Tools and Methodologies for Development Interventions Elizabeth Boye and Michael Wendelboe Hansen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLV5002U.aspx
EN Managing Non-Profits - Learning from Principles and Practices Dennis Lee and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2044U.aspx
DA Marketing Ethics Hanne Pico Larsen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CEMFO1801U.aspx
EN Poverty, Sustainability and the Private Sector Andrew Crabtree http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLV1601U.aspx
EN Re-imagining Environmental Entrepreneurship  Irina Papazu http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CSOCV1022U.aspx
EN Re-visiting the Commons, Re-imagining Collectives Ida Lunde Jørgensen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CSOCV1023U.aspx
EN Riga-Copenhagen Urban Challenge Kristjan Jespersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCBLC1002U.aspx
EN Rome-Copenhagen Urban Challenge Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLC1000U.aspx
EN Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business Practices and Development Economics: an Integrated Framework Rodrigo Zeidan and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2013U.aspx
EN Sustainability Challenges 1: Multi-disciplinary Approaches (SC1) Maria Figueroa http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1431U.aspx
EN Sustainability Challenges 2: Specific Systems and Capstone Project (SC2) Maria Figueroa http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1432U.aspx
EN Social Entrepreneurship: Creating Social Change Using the Power of Entrepreneurship Kai Hockerts http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1535U.aspx
EN Sustainable Low-Carbon Transitions: Governance, Business and Social Innovations Maria Figueroa and Sven Bislev http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCMVI2069U.aspx
EN Sustainable Management Accounting and Finance Cristiana Parisi http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCMVV1676U.aspx
EN Organizations and Society Jeremy Moon http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CSOLO1019U.aspx
EN Organising Business Models in Service Firms Sebastian Zenker http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CSSMO1604U.aspx
EN
The CBS Campus as a Living Lab of Sustainability: Fostering Partnerships with the Private Sector
Kristjan Jespersen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2017-2018/KAN-CCBLV1705U.aspx
EN What is Behind the Label: Sustainability in Developing Countries Peter Lund-Thomsen http://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLV5003U.aspx
EN

Urban Challenges as Innovation Drivers

Luise Noring and Sven Bislev https://kursuskatalog.cbs.dk/2018-2019/KAN-CCBLI3002U.aspx

PhD. Opportunities

PRME Nordic PhD Course

Developments in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability:

Innovation, Organization and Governance (equivalent to 7.5 ECTS) Level: PhD.

General Overview

The aim of the course is to give an in-depth understanding and overview of the current state and contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability research and practice. By Sustainability, we refer to the broad challenge of social, environmental and economic sustainability for inter-generational justice facing all sectors. By CSR we refer to the business-oriented contributions to the sustainability agendas, but noting that this may well also involve cross sectoral partnerships, interactions with public policy, and multi-stakeholder initiatives as well as the corporations themselves. The course focuses particularly on the key themes of innovation (e.g. new networks and new industrial fields related to such issues as digitalization and energy), organization (e.g. new forms of organization, new business models, finance and corporate governance) and governance (e.g. historical and contemporary perspectives on private authority and public policy; corporate, social and political power).

The course also focuses on career development, and this is reflected in sessions on such topics as: writing articles and grant proposals; positioning for employment markets; networking; publishing strategies; acting as a reviewer; crafting research proposals. Moreover, the assignment will be based on a post-doctoral or doctoral research grant proposal in which students receive peer-review from one another as well as from the course teachers.

Although the course is emphatically international it also enables certain Nordic perspectives on the issues of sustainability and CSR. The course brings together Nordic faculty from different business fields and wider disciplines to emphasize the cross-disciplinary nature of the subject. The course is split into three- day modules given at three different Nordic business schools. The initiative for the course is grounded in the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME), with the aim to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally.

 

Learning Goals

After completing the course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the current state of CSR / Sustainability research, with particular reference to the themes of Innovation, Organization and Governance.
  • Evaluate Sustainability/CSR research by taking into account its underlying theory and epistemology
  • Understand and evaluate Sustainability/CSR policies and practices
  • Position and develop your own research in relation to different Sustainability/CSR theories

You will have experience of:

  • Developing and writing research grant proposals
  • Providing peer review of research proposals

 

Prerequisites

The course is aimed at students writing their PhD thesis on topics related to CSR/sustainability.

 

Participants 

The course is limited to 20 students, selected on the basis of applications (for instructions how to apply see Application Requirements).

The course is open to doctoral students from different institutions and disciplines, however, priority will be given to applications from member institutions of the PRME Nordic Regional Chapter: AarhusUniversity; Aalto University; BI Norwegian Business School; Bifröst University (Háskólinn á Bifröst) – Borgarnes; Copenhagen Business School; Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet) – Uppsala, Alnarp, Umea and Skara; Hanken School ofEconomics; Jönköping International Business School; Lappeenranta University; Karlstad Business School (Karlstad universitet; Kristianstad University; Lund University School of Economics and Management; Malardalen University; Reykjavik University School of Business; Stockholm School of Economics; Stockholm University; Turku School of Economics; Umeå School of Business; University of Gothenburg; Örebro University School of Business.

 

Workload & Assessment

Total Student Workload: 190 hours divided into

  • 48 hrs. of contact hours (16 per module)
  • 142 hrs. of non-scheduled work

Assessment (pass/fail)

  • Submission of the (Post-) Doctoral Research Grant sub-proposals and peer reviews at the end of each module as well as the final proposal at the end of the course.
  • Participation in the three modules is mandatory for the award of the certificate which will correspond with the workload of 7,5 ECTs.

Examiners

  • Aalto: Leena Lankoski
  • Stockholm University: Anselm Schneider
  • CBS: Jeremy Moon

 

Application Requirements

Interested students should apply by submitting the following documents to prme@cbs.dk by 1st June 2018:

  • the applicant's curriculum vitae demonstrating his/her capabilities of doing research within the topic, CV should clearly indicate current institutional affiliation
  • two-page description of doctoral research proposal
  • one page letter of application, including reference to motivation and experience

 

Costs and funding

Participants are to cover their own accommodation and travel. However, we are investigating possible funding to cover some of these costs. Tuition and meals during the workshops will be covered by the host institutions.

 

Contact Information

All questions regarding course administration should be directed to prme@cbs.dk

 

Timetable

Deadline for registration:                                                                     1 June 2018

Acceptance notifications:                                                                    30 June 2018

Module 1 (Aalto, Helsinki, Finland)                                                     14-16 November 2018

Module 2 (Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden)                      11-12 April 2019

Module 3 (Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark)       11-12 June 2019

 

Course outline

The course will be oriented around three key sustainability and CSR themes: innovation, organization and governance. In each module the respective theme will be investigated using a common framework: Issues/ Agendas; Theories; Practices. In addition, each module will devote time to our fourth common theme: Skills for Academic Careers.

 

Table 1: Indicative course outline

 

Innovation

(Aalto)

Organization  (Stockholm

University)

Governance (CBS)

Issues/Agendas

CSR and Sustainability agendas (general framing)

The innovation imperative

Organization for CSR & Sustainability

Organizational responses New forms of

organization & business

models

Governance for CSR & sustainability - a long run view

Political roles of corporations

Theories

Innovation theories, Transition theories

Organization theory Corporate governance

New governance

Political CSR / Corporate citizenship

Private Authority &

Public Policy

Practices

Circular economy Startups and incumbents

Innovation policy

Sustainability

management; Socially responsible investing

MSIs

Government – CSR interactions

Skills for academic careers / assignment preparation

Preparation of grant proposals (general) Preparation of grant proposals (innovation) Peer review

Feedback on proposals & reviews

Publication strategies

Feedback on proposals & reviews

Post-doctoral careers

 

Assignment

Prepare a 4,000 words post-doctoral research grant proposal to investigate:

  1. your chosen sustainability / CSR Trend, Issue or Event (to be approved by course examiners)
  2. from the perspectives of innovation, organization and governance

You will develop this proposal from Module 1, through Module 2, to Module 3.

After Modules 1 and 2 each student will also be required to provide some peer-review for other another student’s draft proposals. The teaching team will provide feedback both on the stages of the proposal and on the respective peer reviews.

 

Assignment indicative stages

Module 1         

Briefing on:

  1. preparation of grant proposals (general)
  2. preparation of grant proposals (innovation)
  3. peer review   

Post Module 1              

Submit draft of first part of grant proposal (1,000 words) 

Conduct peer review (500 words)

Receive feedback on:

  • draft of first part of grant proposal
  • peer review

 

Module 2                                                                                                                                         

Briefing on:

  1. key points on feedback and use of feedback
  2. preparation of grant proposals (organization)      

Post Module 2              

Submit draft of second part of grant proposal 

Conduct peer review 

Receive feedback on:

  • draft of second part of grant proposal (1,000 words)
  • peer review (500 words)

 

Module 3        

Briefing on:

  1. use of feedback
  2. overall lessons on submitting grant proposals
  3. post-doctoral careers

Post Module 3             

Submit integrated final grant proposal

Receive feedback on:

  • integrated final grant proposal (4,000 words + Appendices)
     
The page was last edited by: PRME // 02/09/2024