06220687 - International strategy with sustainable goals and roots

This course aims at giving the students a familiarity and deep understanding of the context, challenges and methods used in “International strategy with sustainable goals and roots. We will make sure that the students are exposed to the contexts of different and contrasted industries (for example: automotive industry, Luxury industry,..). Once they are familiar with the contexts, they will have to analyze real case studies and mobilize academic perspectives to present relevant recommendations to the companies. 

Estimation of private study (outside of contact hours): 20 hours


DIMENSION OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The title itself has to do with “sustainable goals and roots”. The CSR dimension is central to this course. 

TARGETED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

Targeted knowledge: give the students a familiarity and deep understanding of the context, challenges and methods used in “International strategy with sustainable goals and roots. Expose the students to different contexts and contrasted industries (for example: automotive industry, Luxury industry ,..).

Targeted skills: be able to analyze real case studies and mobilize academic perspectives to present relevant recommendations to the companies

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction : Reminder of Corporate Strategy ; Why Sustainability ? The concept of Sustainable Development ; 

Corporate sustainability : 3 levels : production, product, organization CSR Behavior : between Altruism and Profit Maximization. Key tools for social and environmental performance, and the UN SD Goals (pp. 61-102). The Business Case for Sustainability. Circular Economy : new Biz Models.

Strategy to Approach Sustainability in Company : A Step by Step Model. Stakeholder Management. Sustainable Entrepreneurship : Family Firms as Sustainability Pioneers. Supplier Engagement. How to use Norms without being prisoners of them.

Conclusion : the future : looking forward. The circular economy. 

Cases (the list is not comprehensive): Michelin, Bosch, Henkel, DHL, Swiss Post, Tata, Luxury Industry. Sustainability in Developing Countries : Case Sub-Saharan Africa.

FISCHER :
Why Sustainability ?
The concept of sustainable development
Challenges of managing common resources
Corporate sustainability : 3 levels : production, product, organization.
The future of sustainable business : the circular economy.

ALTENBURGER : 
CSR as a Driver of Innovation Processes
Managing Sustainable Innovation
Integrating CSR in Innovation Value Networks
X-IDEA : how to use a systematic innovation method for social innovation projects
CSR Behavior : between Altruism and Profit Maximization
Sustainability in Fashion : An Oxymoron ?
The Bosch Group’s Approach
Henkel
DHL
SWISS POST
Tata Group (The Responsible Business Model).
Sustainable Entrepreneurship : Family Firms as Sustainability Pioneers.
Supplier Engagement.

DITLEV :
Key tools for social and environmental performance, and the UN SD Goals (pp. 61-102).
The Business Case for Sustainability.
Circular Economy : new Biz Models.
Strategy to Approach Sustainability in Companie : A Step by Step Model.
Stakeholder Management.
Anti-corruption.
Sustainability in Developing Countries : Case Sub-Saharan Africa. 
The Way Forward : is SD realistic ?

OSUJI :
HRM and Political CSR in Global SChains.
Navigating the CSR Discourse from a Developing Countrys Perspective.
Country Cases : China, India, Nigeria, Thailand (Nestlé and the Seafood Coalition).
Shipping incidents.
Developing coutrnies’ Biz Schools and socially conscious business leaders.
Ethics issues in Outsourcing to Emerging Markets.

PRESCRIBED TEXTS AND PUBLICATIONS

1. Altenburger R., (2018), Innovation Management and CSR, Springer, 658.408 ALT.
2. Ditlev-Simonsen C., (2022), A Guide to Sustainable Corporate Responsibility, Open Access, Palgrave macmillan, 658.408 DIT.
3. Fischer M. et al, (2023), Sustainable Business, Springer, 658.408 FIS. 
4. Osuji O. et al., (2020), CSR in Developing and Emerging Markets, Cambridge University Press, 658.408 OSU. 
5. Mitterfellner O., (2023), Luxury Fashion Brand Management, Unifying Fashion with Sustainability, Routledge, London and New York, 658.026 MIT.

Individual grade
Case Study and Essay, 3h

Other grade(s)
Grading during class
Written report and Oral Presentations will be assessed
20 minutes presentation by each group

Weight: 50/50

TEACHING METHODS
Course and Case Studies

NATURE OF MATERIALS
Powerpoint and Case Studies

TEACHING INNOVATIONS AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Group work and Presentations

PRE-REQUISITES IN TERMS OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Corporate Strategy Course in L3 and M1.
Fundamentals of Business Modelling

ADVISED PRIOR READING
Johnson and Scholes, Exploring Corporate Strategy, Pearson, 2024.
Business Model Canvas

RESOURCES AVAILABLE
University Library, both paper and online