Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course provides an overall understanding of how contemporary international businesses are integrating sustainability in their strategies and activities across their global value chains. Upon completion of the course, students are able to understand various ways through which multinational enterprises (MNEs) and smaller businesses can balance the needs of the society, the environment and the business. Students are also able to differentiate between globally integrated, locally adapted and transnational MNE sustainability strategies and evaluate how the UN Sustainable Development Goals affect international business strategies and global value chains.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 27.10.2020 - 03.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Tiina Ritvala

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Tiina Ritvala

Contact information for the course (valid 28.09.2020-21.12.2112):

Responsible teacher: Tiina
Ritvala

E-mail:
tiina.ritvala@aalto.fi

Teaching Assistant: Valentina Arrieta
E-mail:valentina.arrieta@aalto.fi



CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course offers an overview of theoretical perspectives and topics at the international business-society interface. The themes range from global value chains and international sourcing, and underlying environmental and social/human rights questions, to MNEs’ sustainability transformations and shared value creation. The course is highly interactive. Cases are drawn from a variety of industries and geographical contexts. Through a series of participatory lectures and group works, students will be invited to deepen their understanding of sustainable global business and reflect their professional interests and aspirations. Several classes will feature a guest.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Note that this course will take place entirely online though live-streamed lectures (Tue & Thu 13:15-16 EET).

    Please, attend the
    first lecture to ensure your place in the course and be prepared to participate at least in 70% of the
    lectures.  We will be having exciting guest speakers and you'll be working with others in video breakout
    rooms
    frequently during the
    classes
    .  


    At the end of the course you should have developed a deeper understanding of sustainability and
    resiliency issues of global value chains and how sustainability is transforming contemporary multinationals. 

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    100% assignments

  • Applies in this implementation:

    PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION, 20% (max. 20 points)

    EXCEL
    ASSIGNMENT, 10% (max. 10 points)

    FINAL
    PAPER (CASE ANALYSIS AND REFLECTION OF LEARING), 40% (max. 40 points)

    GROUP WORK (SHARED VALUE ANALYSIS AND GROUP PROJECT), 30% (max. 30 points)


Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Contact teaching 30 h

    Independent work 130 h

    Total 160 h

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Lectures 30 h

    Class preparation (pre-class assignments) 30 h

    Group work 40 h

    Final paper 60 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Readings and other material as indicated in the syllabus.

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    26E03302 Sustainability in International Business

    26E03301 Institutions, Partnerships and Responsible Business

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    MSc level students

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    #

    Date & time(Zoom)

    Topic & guest speakers

    Assignment/
    Due Date

    1

    Tue 27.10


    Introduction
    Course
    practicalities and introductions
    What is sustainability in international
    business?

    Pre-course assignment,
    Oct. 26 at 22:00

    2

    Thu 29.10

    What are global value
    chains?
    Prof. Perttu
    Kähäri & Post-doc Iiris Saittakari

    Pre-class assignment 

    3

    Tue 3.11
    13:15 – 16:00

    Sustainability
    and economic efficiency
    Esko Aho, Executive in
    Residence, Aalto U.

    Readings

    4

    Thu 5.11

    13:15–16:00

     

    Sustainability transforming companies
    Guest speaker: Kaisa
    Hietala, Partner, Member of the Board, Gaia Consulting
    Multinational organizations and sustainability strategy 

    Shared value analysis
    (in
    groups)

    Nov. 4 at 22:00

    5

    Tue 10.11

    13:15 – 16:00

     

    Economic sustainability
    through the global value chain 
    Prof. Perttu Kähäri & Post-doc Iiris Saittakari,
    Aalto University

    Excel workshop, Iiris Saittakari

    Pre-class assignment 

    Nov. 9 at 22

    6

    Thu 12.11

    13:15 – 16:00

    Sustainable supply chains: Case S-Group Guest speaker: Nina Elomaa, Senior Vice President Sustainability, S Group

    Pre-class assignment 

    Nov. 11 at 22:00

    7

    Tue 17.11

    13:15 – 16:00

     

    Circular
    economy in an international business context
    (title TBA) Guest speaker: Eija Hietavuo

    Senior Vice President,
    Sustainability, Stora Enso, Division Consumer Board

    Pre-class assignment 

    Nov. 16 at
    22:00

    8

    Thu 19.11

    13:15 – 16:00

     

    The
    global energy transition and MNEs
    The role of financial sector in sustainability Guest speaker: Kati Ihamäki, Vice President Brand and Corporate
    Responsibility, OP Financial Group

    Pre-class assignment 

    Nov. 18 at 22:00

    9

    Tue 24.11

    13:15 – 16:00

     

    Unconventional
    value chains, purpose-based strategy and cross-sector partnerships
    Guest
    speaker: Atte Palomäki, Executive Vice president Communications, Branding
    & Marketing
    (title TBA)

    Pre-class assignment 

    Nov. 23 at
    22:00

    10

    Thu 26.11

    13:15-16:00

     Group work presentations 


    PechaKuchapresentations
     Nov. 25 at 22:00

    11

    Tue 1.12

    13:15-16:00

     Course
    conclusion and Q&A for the final paper