Businesses and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are important organizations in today’s

world, but they have different goals. Whereas business seeks to make profits by solving societal

challenges, NGOs have a different priority. NGOs are seen “as social, cultural, legal, and

environmental advocacy and/or operational groups that have goals that are primarily non-

commercial.” (Kourula and Laasonen , 2009). Partly due to this reason, the relationship between

international businesses and NGOs can sometimes be contentious, but in other situations, it can be

mutually beneficial.

The course explores this tension while focusing on how positive collaboration in the form of cross-

sector partnership between the two organizations can leverage the strengths of both parties in the

delivery of Sustainable Development Goals.

The course starts with an introduction to an understanding of NGOs in terms of their goal and

operating model. It further exposes the students to the different types of NGOs.

Students will also learn about the meaning of the so-called ‘wicked’ problems and why it requires

collaborations amongst diverse stakeholders groups for society to tackle these types of challenges.

The course closes with a look at cross-sector partnership. A cross-sector partnership is a significant

interaction between organizations from different sectors, in this case, businesses and NGOs, to

address a common goal (Clarke & Crane, 2018).

It is fairly accepted that no one organization has the resources and competencies to solve the

complex socio-economic challenges of our time. Cross-sector collaborations between business and

NGOs is recognized as a powerful vehicle for addressing these challenges and helping to achieve

the SDGs.

The course will discuss this collaboration in general, and in particular, it will look at their benefits for the society, firm, and the NGO. It will also explore the challenges involved in such collaboration.

The course will be divided into two parts, the first part is a regular course with lectures and workshop, while the second part will be 7 guest lectures delivered by NGO and business management staff with experience in business-NGO collaborations.

Analyse patterns in global macro-economic factors and policies that drive international trade and business development (WT3):

Assess the role, and operating model of Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) in society.

Analyse patterns in global macro-economic factors and policies that drive international trade and business development (WT3)

Analyse the challenges associated with international business-NGOs collaboration.

Formulate own position concerning ethical and social responsibility in a professional environment (LW10)

Evaluate intractable challenges in society that lend themselves to cross-sector partnerships.

Evaluate the operations processes within and between organisations(TWM20)

Formulate cross-sector partnership proposal for NGOs and international businesses collaboration.

Selected academic articles and news reports.

Weekly workshops (lectures, discussions, student presentations, feedback sessions, ): 21 hours

Weekly guest lectures(by guest lecturers from NGO and industry): 32

Individual video assignment + resit: 200 hours

Group presentations preparation/presentation: 42 hours

Grading individual assignment: 50 hours

Grading group presentation: 25 hours

 

Grading guest lectures reflection/essay portfolio: 50 hours

Individual assignment: 60%

Group presentation 40%