Business & Society

Block 1 and 2

• Business & Consumer Behavior (5 ECTS)

  Business & Consumer Behavior (5 ECTS)

  Topics

  This module offers an inspiring journey into the world of business and consumer behavior, where marketing meets meaning. At its heart lies an exploration of what drives local entrepreneurs—their craftsmanship, passion, and idealism—and how these values shape their businesses and connect with customers. You’ll not only study their journeys but may find that their stories reflect your own ambitions and spark ideas for your future.

  In this hands-on, creative marketing project, you will be introduced to a local company and analyze how it reaches and resonates with its audience. Over the course of four weeks, you will focus on two key elements: developing detailed personas and mapping out the customer journey to understand how consumers interact with the company at every stage.

  This project-based approach allows you to dive deep into real-world marketing challenges while sharpening your analytical and creative thinking skills.

  By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of how businesses identify, understand, and serve their customers—and how these insights can translate into authentic, purpose-driven marketing strategies.

  Learning materials

  /

  Learning outcomes

  After participating in this project you will know how to:

  • Describe "Personas" of a business
  • Describe a "Customer journey" of a business
  • Write recommendations for a business how to improve, linked to the "Personas" and the "Customer journey"
  • Convincingly present your recommendations for the assigned business

  Type of assessment

  This is a group project which consists of two parts: a report and a presentation.

  Module code

  RBSBAS01   

• Cultural Diversity & Leadership (6 ECTS)

  Cultural Diversity & Leadership (6 ECTS)

  Topics

  This module invites you to explore the intersection of cultural diversity and leadership in today’s globalized business environment, with a strong emphasis on self-awareness and personal leadership development. Through a balanced mix of theory (50%) and hands-on practice (50%), you will examine what it means to lead effectively across cultures and within diverse teams.

  A central focus of the course is psychological self-discovery. You’ll take part in a range of assessments and reflective activities to better understand your own leadership style, emotional intelligence, intercultural competence, and cognitive strengths. By analyzing your behavior within organizational and social contexts, you'll gain valuable insight into how you function as a leader and team member in international settings.

  Throughout the module, you'll explore key concepts such as workplace diversity, cross-cultural communication, and inclusive leadership. You’ll learn how cultural differences shape business practices in the Netherlands and around the world—and how to navigate these differences with professionalism and sensitivity.

  You’ll also work with practical tools such as professional interview techniques, self-assessment instruments, and group simulations, giving you the skills needed to lead, collaborate, and thrive in culturally diverse environments. Ultimately, this course empowers you to become a reflective, adaptive, and emotionally intelligent leader, ready to drive positive change in global organizations.

  Learning materials

  /

  Learning outcomes
  

  At the end of this module you will:

  • Have developed an awareness about commonalities and differences regarding the way business practices are done in the Netherlands, and in your own countries.
  • Be aware of different layers of diversity within organisations, and their influence/impact on current/ global business practices.
  • Have developed yourself as an effective learner, leader and group member when being part of an international environment.
  • Be able to conduct and evaluate professional interviews.
  • Be able to evaluate your own intercultural proficiency level, intelligence type and emotional intelligence in a well-founded report.

  Type of assessment

  Interview, assignment and report

  Module code

  RBSBAS03 

• Global Society & World Politics (6 ECTS)

  Global Society & World Politics (6 ECTS)

  Topics

  Business and society are inextricably linked. In this part of the course, students explore global societal issues from a glocal Rotterdam perspective. The course discusses several social problems related to business, such as:

  • Inclusivity and diversity
  • Sustainability
  • Healthcare
  • Public education
  • Fair trade

  In a world increasingly shaped by interconnected challenges and opportunities, Global Society & World Politics gives you the tools to critically understand the forces transforming today’s global landscape. You’ll explore the dynamic interplay between globalization, political power, and societal issues—and examine how these forces influence both international relations and everyday life.

  Throughout the course, you’ll dive into key topics such as the evolution of globalization, global governance, and the rise of emerging powers. You’ll also explore the inner workings of the global political economy and confront urgent global issues, including poverty, hunger, health crises, terrorism, forced migration, and the complex realities of global trade and finance.

  At the same time, you’ll engage with vital social dimensions such as human rights, gender in global politics, and the role of NGOs in driving policy change and promoting social justice worldwide.

  By the end of this course, you’ll have developed a nuanced understanding of the ethical, economic, and political dimensions shaping our world—and be better equipped to think critically about your leadership role in today’s global society.

  Learning materials

  • The Globalization of World Politics 9^th edition by John Baylis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owens

  Learning outcomes

  • Analyze the multifaceted effects of globalization on political, economic, and social systems at the international level.
  • Evaluate the shifting power dynamics and influence of emerging global actors and international organizations in world politics and global governance.
  • Apply theoretical frameworks and critical perspectives to assess and propose solutions for pressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, public health crises, and global security.
  • Communicate complex ideas and arguments effectively through written essays and oral discussions, demonstrating academic rigor and critical engagement with global issues.

  Type of assessment

  Individual Essay 40%
  Leading discussion in pairs 40%
  Team debate 20%

  Module code

  RBSBAS14

• Sustainable Business Innovation (8 ECTS)

  Sustainable Business Innovation (8 ECTS)

  Topics

  In this forward-looking module, you will work on a real-world, competitive assignment in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam. Your mission: to help tackle one of today’s most pressing challenges—creating sustainable, resilient cities, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

  
  Rotterdam, with its rich history and complex urban landscape, faces a range of sustainability challenges: climate change, energy transition, urbanization, biodiversity loss, circularity, and new mobility demands. Yet, the city also offers a unique opportunity—18.5 km² of flat rooftops, from harbor warehouses to high-rise towers. These often-overlooked spaces can become powerful enablers of sustainable innovation: green roofs, solar installations, community gardens, water buffers, and more.
  In this module, you’ll work in teams to develop innovative, multifunctional rooftop solutions that align with the city's sustainability goals. Through research, design thinking, and stakeholder engagement, you’ll explore how to turn great ideas into actionable, scalable business strategies that benefit both people and planet.

  As part of your professional development, you will also receive free training and certification in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)—an internationally recognized framework for sustainability reporting. This certification will give you valuable insights into how organizations can track, communicate, and improve their environmental and social impact.

  This course challenges you to think critically, collaborate creatively, and deliver solutions that could make a real difference in shaping the sustainable cities of tomorrow.

  Learning materials

  /

  Learning outcomes

  At the end of this module you are:

  • Able to calculate social, economic and sustainable impact for rooftop owners.
  • Aware of the pains and gains of policy makers and rooftop owners.
  • Able to come up with creative solutions.

  Type of assessment

  Presentation and report

  Module code

  RBSBAS05 

• Business Strategy & Skills (5 ECTS)

  Business Strategy & Skills (5 ECTS)

  Topics

  Get ready to put your strategic thinking to the test in this dynamic, fast-paced case competition module. Over three weeks, you’ll work in teams to solve a real-world business case focused on one of today’s most pressing challenges: fighting food waste. The case is provided by a leading company tackling this issue head-on, offering you the chance to engage with an authentic and socially relevant business problem.

  
  To support your preparation, you’ll receive expert training from IntelligentFood, a consultancy company that works with major corporations to reduce food waste through strategy and innovation. Their insights will help sharpen your skills in business analysis, sustainable strategy development, and persuasive communication.

  
  You and your team will compete to develop the strongest solution—one that is innovative, feasible, and impactful. At the end of the module, your ideas will be presented to an external jury of professionals, who will evaluate each team’s strategy and crown the winner.

  
  This is a unique opportunity to experience the intensity of real-life consultancy work, gain valuable feedback from industry experts, and showcase your talent.

  
  May the best team win!

  Learning materials

  /

  Learning outcomes

  At the end of this course you are able to:

  • Determine stakeholders
  • Develop a business strategy
  • Convince an audience 

  Type of assessment

  Presentation

  Module code

  RBSBAS02