Course syllabus - Smart Cities: Building a Sustainable Future

Objectives

This is a unique multidisciplinary course, created and carried out jointly in the NordBiz network of universities. The aim of the course is to introduce a Nordic-Baltic perspective to concepts such as Smart Cities (introduced 20 years ago), urbanization, circular economy, resource sharing and efficiency, and the problems and solutions related to them. Another aim is to give the students the possibility to work in a multicultural environment, create their own network of future business people during the course, and bring the newest knowledge related to this topic to each institution.
 
The course will contribute to knowledge from strategic perspectives on environmental, economic, consumer and social issues that companies face on an international market. The course will also contribute to insight in other kinds of organizations, public and non-governmental, and their role and interplay with companies. Civil society organisations can play an important role in supporting the integration of asylum seekers and refugees. Furthermore, as a result, the ideas, principles and practices of Smart Cities could be transferred to the thinking and operations of companies and organisations, creating competitive advantage, new growth and even job opportunities

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student shall be able to:
1. apply perspectives from management and organizational theories to investigate the opportunities and hindrances for a sustainable future in an urban environment
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the purpose and the meaning of urbanization and resource sharing for businesses, as well as for public and non-profit organizations in the changing international society of today
3. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex relation between economy, society, environment and development on local, national and global level
4. demonstrate an understanding and awareness about culture and communication between people from different backgrounds
5. carry out qualified project tasks within a limited time frame
6. orally and in writing explain and discuss conclusions in relation to the knowledge and arguments they are based upon
7. communicate and in practice cooperate with actors in the business sector and in the academy

Course content

The course content is focused on how companies and organizations in the profit and non-profit sector and voluntary and public organizations handle environmental, social, economic and consumer issues from a resource-based perspective. Every year these issues will be discussed in the light of a new theme:

Sharing Economy (Smart Economy / Smart Business)
Energy Efficiency (Smart Environment)
Consumer Behaviour (Smart People / Smart Living)
 
The course will focus on how consumers, companies, public organizations and voluntary non-profit organizations look on resources and the urbanization process. These organizations represent different sectors in society, the profit sector, non-profit sector and the public sector, which in turn represent different institutional logic.
 
Another theme will cover companies that have created or implemented new innovations to improve their environmental performance or resource efficiency in the society. These innovations are not only products, but also new service concepts or business models that strive to achieve a much higher level of resource sharing and efficiency in business than traditional solutions. This complex and interconnected field will be studied and critically discussed during the course. 
 
The theoretical framework is based on behavioural, economic, organizational and management theories. The students will practically work with related issues in cooperation with companies or voluntary organizations regarding their work with environmental and social issues

Tuition

The course is carried out through lectures, seminars, presentations and tutoring. On this course the Internet is being used extensively as a platform for working and a place to communicate and discuss between students and teachers.
At the beginning of the course students prepare a group work at their home university. This assignment is a report on how their home country and companies work with the issues dealt with on this course, and when meeting with the other groups, disseminate the knowledge of policies and strategies applied at Nordic-Baltic level. During one intensive week students and teachers from 8 different countries/universities meet for seminars, presentations, company visits and guest lectures. The students will be working in multicultural groups, and prepare a project (assigned by companies/organisations) which will be presented at the end of the intensive period.

Specific requirements

Business Administration 60 credits with progression. At least 45 credits must be completed by course start including 15 credits on level G1F. In addition English course B/English course 6 is required.
Foreign students are required to submit a test of English equivalent to a TOEFL test result of at least 575 with TWE score 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with TWE score 20 (iBT) or an IELTS test score for academic purposes with an overall band score of 6.5 and no band score below 5.5. The test is mandatory for all applicants except for those from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain and the USA.

Examination

Case report (GRU1), 4,5 credits, grades Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG), (learning outcomes 1-3 + 5-7)
Intensive week report (PRO1), 3 credits, grades Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG), (learning outcomes 1-7)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course gives each student 7.5 ECTS credits, which will be recognized at their home institution towards their degree program.