Glob­al­isa­tion and Sustain­ability

Course content

This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the interlinkages between economic globalization and sustainability. To understand globalization, we take our theoretical starting point in the global value chain theory that explores the global connections and dynamics between different actors such as businesses, suppliers, governments and civil society organisations. The global value chain approach also allows us to understand impact and sustainability challenges in different places of the world. Students will examine various links between economic globalisation (of production and consumption) and sustainability.  

The themes taught are illustrated by selected industries, sectors, lead firms and countries. 

We take on a holistic approach to sustainability and engage with various social and environmental aspects and challenges as related to economic globalisation, including but not limited to value capture, climate change, environmental harms, gender inequality, global inequality and labour relations. 

Against this background, students will explore and understand the unequal economic, social and environmental impact of globalisation in different places, not least in the Global South. It is also the ideal that students are encouraged to use their acquired knowledge to explore and suggest how businesses and organisations can contribute to mitigate the identified challenges. 

The themes taught in the course will also provide students with knowledge that is useful for later courses, not least International Sustainability (3rd semester), The Corperation in Society: Managing Beyond Markets (6th semester), and  the Year 1 Research Project on Business and Organizations for a Sustainable, Global Society for which topical knowledge as well as methodological approaches to write projects are useful.