Course Syllabus
Sustainable Business Strategy |
|
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2025- DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Business, Environmental Studies, Sustainability |
| Prerequisite: |
None |
| Faculty Member: |
Amanda Lapadat-Nordström -contact via Canvas inbox |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays & Thursdays 14:50-16:10 Classroom: N7-B12 |
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 deliverable: 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
- Companies that inspire - GROUP PRESENTATION - 10%
- Sustainability Research Report - GROUP - 20%
- Strategy Project - GROUP - 30%
- Essay on Living Sustainable - Inner Development Goals during Semester INDIVIDUAL - 10%
- Participation (In class engagement + Reflections x4) - INDIVIDUAL - 30%
Faculty
Amanda Lapadat-Nordström
Masters International Business (Queen's University Canada, 2010). Expertise in Trade and FDI, International Business Development, SME advisory, Strategic Communications.
Consultant and Co-Founder, Do Business Nordic, 2020-Present. Commercial Manager Sweden, MG Real Estate, 2020-2022. FDI Advisor, Invest in Skåne, 2017-2020. Trade Advisor, The Trade Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark in Canada, 2013-2017. Trade Journalist, Global Business Reports, 2011-2013. Strategic Communications Consultant, Kreab Worldwide London, 2010-2011. Global Programs, Blackberry, 2007-2009.
With DIS since 2023.
Required Texts
Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist, Kate Raworth. 2017.
In addition, Custom readings and cases for each class are available on the DIS Canvas system.
Contact
Amanda Lapadat-Nordström - amln@dis.dk (Or through canvas)
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:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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