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Steen Val­lentin

Associate Professor

Subjects
Leadership Organisation Circular economy Communication Sustainability Social responsibility

Primary research areas

The Politics of Corporate Responsibility

This research interest is centered on ideological underpinnings and political implications of the heated public and scholarly debates that are taking place over the pros and cons of CSR and corporate sustainability. The aim of this research is to show how ‘the theoretical is political’ in this field and to explore ideology as a practical concern.

Trust-Based Leadership

This research focuses on the workings of trust and trust-based reforms in the public sector. Starting from a sociological and relational understanding of trust, the aim is to show a) how trust is a varied and ambiguous phenomenon with social (interactional) as well as systemic features, and b) how trust-building can be supportive of leadership and organizational performance.

The Social Side of Circular Economy and the Green Agenda

This research applies a conceptual and discursive lens to developments in the realm of environmental sustainability and the green transition. The aim is to contribute to a better theoretical understanding of the social (human, behavioral) drivers of and barriers to sustainable development in areas such as circular economy, industrial ecology, and biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Exploring Corporate Responsibility and Public Trust

Steen Vallentin is Associate Professor in the Department of Management, Society and Communication and Academic Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability at CBS. He is one of the co-founders of the centre which was launched in 2002.  

His research interests are centered on CSR and corporate sustainability as social and political phenomena in the broadest sense, including studies of the role of government and of the political-ideological side of the corporate responsibility debate. 

Other research and professional interests include ESG, sustainable development, circular economy, and biodiversity, along with trust and trust-based leadership as it relates to the public sector. He makes regular contributions to the public debate on corporate responsibility and sustainable development.  

He regularly contributes to international journals in his field of study and is a member of the Editorial Review Board of Business Ethics Quarterly.

Outside activities

Danwatch, Board member, 2007–present

Specialist member of the board of Danwatch, a Danish investigative media organization, since its launch in 2007.