In this course, we examine these developments and explore how businesses—both those operating within individual countries and across borders—are influenced by the growing imperative for sustainable development. Due to variations in institutional structures, cultural contexts, and stages of economic development, the SDGs are likely to prioritize differently across societies, which in turn affects the specific expectations for businesses to contribute to sustainable development. Understanding these differences while acknowledging the universal need for sustainable development—and embracing the paradox it presents—is essential for achieving success in future global business.

Through the lens of sustainable development, this course explores institutional and cultural variations across countries to understand the differing demands and expectations placed on businesses operating both within and across societies. You will gain insights into sustainable development as well as the cultural and institutional differences that shape business practices, both from theoretical and practical perspectives. The latter will be emphasized through a hands-on society-analysis research project. This approach will equip you with the skills and competencies necessary to analyze and understand global markets.

Upon completing the course, you will have

• understood the concept of sustainable development, distinguishing it from related ideas such as corporate responsibility, and explore the growing demand for businesses to contribute to achieving the SDGs.
• learned to evaluate institutional environments systematically through business systems analysis.
• learned to assess cultural environments systematically using comparative cultural analysis.
• developed strategies and approaches for businesses—both within and across societies—to contribute to sustainable development and play a role in achieving the SDGs.
• engaged in an in-depth society-analysis research project.
• learned to navigate and embrace global-local paradoxes in the context of sustainable development.

The course focuses on the development of the following skills and competencies:

• Systemic and analytical thinking: You will be trained to adopt both a holistic view of business systems and societies, understanding how various elements influence one another within a whole, and an analytical view that helps you identify specific cause-and-effect relationships. This will encourage you to think both linearly and non-linearly.
• Research skills and abilities: Through your hands-on society-analysis research project, you will gain practical experience in systematically analyzing countries and societies using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Emic and etic perspective-taking: You will experience both emic (within-society) and etic (outside-society) perspectives, helping you understand different viewpoints on the same phenomenon. This approach will guide you in finding valuable solutions for sustainable development.
• Embracing paradoxes: You will learn to accept and, more importantly, embrace paradoxes in the context of sustainable development. This ability will enable you to develop systemic approaches that support sustainable development.
• Presentation and writing skills: Through your society-analysis research project, you will enhance your presentation and writing skills by reporting on your key findings and communicating them effectively.

Attendance is a firm requirement of this course as many of the learning experiences take place during class and through interactions with peers. The attendance requirement is met if students are present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement are de-registered from the course. Missing sessions will affect class participation credits and may also affect other graded components realized during class.

You will learn about sustainable development across societies and the implications for businesses operating within and across countries by means of a combination of lectures on sustainable development, cultural and institutional analysis as well as a hands-on society-analysis research project. Theory is intended to provide a good foundation for you so that you apply what you have learned and go beyond in your society-analysis research project. Coaching supports you as you successfully conduct your research.

50% individual assessment

• 20% active class participation
• 20% mid-course exam
• 10% peer evaluation

50% group assessment

• 20% society-analysis research project – presentation
• 20% society-analysis research project – final report (max 8 pages)
• 10% coaching questions

AI-based software and tools of all kinds (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Grammarly, etc.) are not authorized for this course. Students are expected to conduct their own, independent research – which as a minimum needs to go beyond the limitations of AI. For written assignments, students are expected to use their own words. This applies specifically when personal reflections and the expression of students’ own opinions are concerned. All submitted assignments are automatically checked for plagiarism and usage of AI. In suspicious cases, audit interviews will not be conducted.

Completed Core Course 1 and Core Course 2 of the RSGB specialization. This does not apply to exchange students. 

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