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
FINAL
ASSIGNMENT, 10% (max. 10 points)
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 Date1
Tue 27.10
Introduction
Course
practicalities and introductions
What is sustainability in international
business?Pre-course assignment,
Oct. 26 at 22:002
Thu 29.10 What are global value
chains?
Prof. Perttu
Kähäri & Post-doc Iiris SaittakariPre-class assignment
3
Tue 3.11
13:15 – 16:00Sustainability
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 strategyShared 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 UniversityExcel 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 HietavuoSenior Vice President,
Sustainability, Stora Enso, Division Consumer BoardPre-class assignment
Nov. 16 at
22:008
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 GroupPre-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
22:0010
Thu 26.11
13:15-16:00
Group work presentations
PechaKuchapresentations
Nov. 25 at 22:0011
Tue 1.12
13:15-16:00Course
conclusion and Q&A for the final paper
- Teacher: Valentina Arrieta
- Teacher: Tiina Ritvala