Course description
This course examines the global business activities of multinational companies (MNCs) through the lens of sustainability. It explores how MNCs leverage their resources, global reach, and technological innovation to address critical sustainability challenges, such as poverty alleviation, global supply chain restructuring, equity in human resource management, and environmental protection. The course highlights MNCs' potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by balancing global strategies with local needs.

The course is structured into three components:
1. Historical Evolution of MNCs and Sustainability:
This section traces the trajectory of MNCs’ sustainability efforts. It explores the shift from profit-driven approaches to integrated strategies addressing environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Topics include the emergence of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the "triple bottom line" framework, and the evolution of MNCs' roles in achieving SDGs.
2. MNC Business Models for Sustainability:
Traditionally seen as a cost, sustainability is reframed as a driver of business innovation and value creation. Students will examine strategies for integrating sustainability into operations, including circular economy models, carbon neutrality, gender diversity, and technology transfer. The concept of "terroir" is introduced as a localized approach to leveraging natural, cultural, and social resources for sustainable solutions.
3. Integrating Sustainability into Core Business:
This section examines how MNCs incorporate sustainability into their core activities. Topics include Base of the Pyramid (BoP) models, managing trade-offs and synergies among SDGs, and addressing international spillovers. Students will explore mechanisms for aligning global frameworks with region-specific challenges and examine case studies showcasing successful regional adaptation and global scaling. Case studies also illustrate synergies and trade-offs among sustainability goals/targets, exploring the underlying mechanisms that give rise to conflicts among sustainability goals/targets and investigating potential solutions, such as balancing climate action with economic growth. Emerging frameworks like Creating Shared Value (CSV) and SDG management will also be discussed, alongside contemporary issues like COVID-19 impacts and geopolitical tensions.

Throughout the course, real-world case studies, group discussions, and interactive discussions will help students critically assess MNCs’ roles in advancing sustainability.

Learning outcomes of the course
This course aims to enable students to achieve the following:
1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of how MNCs can contribute to achieving the SDGs and address complex sustainability challenges.
2. Acquire the ability to evaluate MNC strategies and analyze their impact on global issues such as poverty, climate change, gender equality, and human rights.
3. Gain practical knowledge of circular economy models and localized SDG approaches.
4. Build skills to analyze global-local dynamics and propose innovative, context-specific solutions to sustainability challenges.
This knowledge will prepare students to navigate sustainability issues effectively as future policymakers, business leaders, employees, or informed consumers.

Teaching and evaluation methods
Teaching Methods:
• Each class includes a 50-minute lecture and a 40-minute group discussion. Students will also deliver individual presentations in the latter half of the course.
Evaluation:
• Participation (20%)
• Group and individual presentations (50%)
• Final report (30%)

Syllabus
- Introduction: Multinational Companies and Sustainability
• Content: Overview of the course. Introduction to the relationship between MNCs and sustainability, focusing on the core concepts of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social demensions).
• Activity: Group discussion on contemporary sustainability challenges.

- Historical Development of MNCs and CSR
• Content: The historical background of MNCs and the emergence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Introduction to the “triple bottom line” and its relevance to SDGs.
• Activity: Case study analysis on CSR and the triple bottom line.

- SDGs Overview and MNC Roles
• Content: Overview of the 17 SDGs and the specific contributions of MNCs to these goals.
• Activity: Group work on specific SDG targets addressed by MNCs, such as poverty reduction and gender equality.

- Business Models for Sustainability in MNCs
• Content: Exploration of how sustainability has evolved from being a perceived cost to a driver of innovation and value creation.
• Activity: Discussion on innovative sustainability strategies employed by MNCs.

- Circular Economy and MNCs
• Content: Fundamentals of the circular economy, implementation methods, and the role of MNCs in promoting sustainable resource use.
• Activity: Case study analysis of successful circular economy initiatives.

- The “Terroir” Concept and Local Adaptation
• Content: Introduction to the "terroir" concept, emphasizing the use of natural, cultural, and social resources for sustainability. Discussion of MNC strategies for regional adaptation.
• Activity: Analysis of region-specific business models through case studies.

- BoP Models and Sustainability
• Content: Overview of the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) model and its application in addressing sustainability challenges through inclusive business strategies.
• Activity: Comparative analysis of successful and unsuccessful BoP initiatives.

- Trade-Offs and Synergies Among SDGs
• Content: Examination of the interactions among SDGs, focusing on trade-offs and synergies. Examples include balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
• Activity: Group proposals for managing trade-offs and enhancing synergies.

- Managing International Spillovers
• Content: Analysis of international spillover effects and how MNCs can minimize negative impacts while maximizing positive ones, such as supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing.
• Activity: Case study on managing spillover effects in global supply chains.

- Addressing COVID-19 and Geopolitical Risks
• Content: Analysis of how the pandemic and geopolitical tensions impact MNC sustainability strategies.
• Activity: Group work on developing post-pandemic sustainability strategies.

- New Frameworks for Sustainability
• Content: Introduction to frameworks like Creating Shared Value (CSV) and SDG management. Discussion on their application to MNC strategies.
• Activity: Development of practical sustainability strategies using these frameworks.

- Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable MNC Strategies
• Content: Summary of the course. Reflection on the future roles of MNCs in achieving SDGs.
• Activity: Student presentations proposing sustainability strategies for MNCs.

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Last updated: January 10, 2025