Course Syllabus

Course Description

Note:  This course is aimed at both the business student and the sustainability/environmental studies student.  It is also appropriate for any student simply interested in the development of sustainable businesses.

We face a perfect storm, at the intersection of climate change, a growing energy crisis, resource scarcity, and economic re-structuring.  Naturally, the rules for success are changing: business-as-usual is no longer an option. While many companies have been developing more socially responsible approaches, over the last few decades – there is a growing realisation that we need to go beyond CSR.

The sheer scale of the challenge, along with the nature of emerging business opportunities (e.g. UN SDGs), mean that leading players are now adopting more transformative models – integrating sustainability principles into the heart of everything they do for long-term, sustainable business success (e.g. Ørsted, Maersk).

Through this course, we will explore the drivers, strategies, and business cases of companies that are taking a fully integrated approach to deliver sustainable business success in a rapidly changing world. We will focus geographically on companies in Denmark – while also conducting comparative analysis to businesses in the United States.  

During the first half of our course, we will focus on learning about Companies that Inspire, how to use the Sustainable Development Goals, the Circular Economy, Doughnut Economics, and other new ideas on Sustainability. During the 2nd half of the course, we will focus mainly on your main deliveravle: The Sustainable Strategy Project. You will work in a small group and reach out to a Danish Company and conduct a Sustainable Strategy for them. You need to find the company yourself. Sounds tough! It is, but you are well able for it. You will also have good guidance and mentoring along the way.

We will have an abundance mindset. We will prepare ourselves to be lifelong learners. You will own your own learning. You have 4 months and all of Copenhagen. Go further if you want, but keep the right mindset.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Be a more effective Sustainability Advisor.
• Understand the benefits of being a lifelong learner.
• Be better at stakeholder engagement & project management.
• Understand how sustainable Denmark is and how you can use this in your life.
• Have a better understanding of some of the environmental, social, and economic drivers and risks impacting on companies – along with the major business opportunities for integrating sustainability factors within the core business strategy.
• Understand the latest big-impact topics, including how businesses can meet the Circular Economy challenge.
• Develop insights on sustainable business analysis, and strategy formulation.
• Understand and contrast the differences in strategies and context, between Europe and the United States.
• Enhance your critical thinking skills.
• Develop your professional presentation skills.
• Enhance your career potential and capabilities – towards becoming an effective business leader and/or change agent, in supporting the necessary transition towards a sustainable economy.

Assessment is as follows

1. Companies that inspire - GROUP PRESENTATION - 5%
2. Nordic Sustainability Research Report - GROUP - 15% 
3. Participation (in class engagement + reflections) - INDIVIDUAL - 20%
4. GROUP STRATEGY PROJECT - 40%
5. INDIVIDUAL ESSAY on Sustainable Business Strategy & DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS BOOK REVIEW - 20% 
6. Living Sustainable INDIVIDUAL (a blog describing how you have lived sustainably in Copenhagen during your 4 months)  - 10%

Faculty

Adrian Owen Mongan, Master's in Economics (International Macroeconomics), UW Madison, Wisconsin. Master's in Economics (International Trade), University College Dublin, Ireland. Worked in multinational conglomerates for over 10 years with roles as company macroeconomist, strategy director, and in strategic communication. Experienced university lecturer in international trade, macroeconomics, and microeconomics. With DIS since 2019.

Required Texts

Recommend you read Doughnut Economics. In addition, Custom readings and cases for each class are available on the DIS Canvas system.

Contact

Adrian Mongan, adrian.mongan@dis.dk

Course Format 

This course is taught with varied class formats, including:

• Meetings (COMPULSORY)– Based on assigned readings, these classes will combine regular teaching, class discussion, guest lectures, and writing sessions to introduce new material, along with group exercises to test and embed learning.
• Field Trips (COMPULSORY) – We will make Copenhagen & North Zealand our classroom and visit Sustainable Business Neighhourhoods.
• Local Sustainable Experience (OPTIONAL but lots of fun) – Make the most of your time in Copenhagen studying Sustainable Business Strategy – Live it and record your experiences.
• External Seminars (OPTIONAL – but a chance to network with the Danes) – Again make the most of your time here. Register for at least one event at Copenhagen Business School. It’s a great opportunity to learn a new perspective and NETWORK!!!

Grading

See under assignments

Points                                   Grade
93-100                                   A
90-93                                     A-
87-90                                     B+
83-87                                     B
80-83                                     B-
77-80                                     C+
73-77                                     C
70-73                                     C-
67-70                                     D+
63-67                                     D
60-63                                     D-
59 and below                        F

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

 DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.orgLinks to an external site.