Caroline Dale Ditlev-Simonsen is Professor at BI Norwegian Business School. She has an international and comprehensive business and organizational experience in the areas of sustainability, corporate responsibility, business development in Africa, circular economy and happiness research. Previous work experience includes Project Manager, World Industry Council for the Environment, New York; Executive Officer, Norwegian Pollution Control Authority; Advisor, Kværner ASA and Vice President, Head of Community Contact, Storebrand ASA.
She has varied board experience and was a board member of WWF-Norway (World Wide Fund for Nature) from 2002 - 2008, member of Appeal Board for Norwegian Foundations (Stiftelsesklagenemda) from 2015 – 2019, member of the Norwegian Ethics Information Committee 2018 – 2019 and member of the Board of Trustees (Styremedlem) BI Norwegian Business School (2016-2020). She is also Co-Director at the BI Centre for Sustainability and Energy and Head of BI Forum for Foundations.
Ditlev-Simonsen holds a PhD in Leadership and Organization (BI Norwegian Business School), a Masters degree in Energy and Environmental Studies (Boston University) and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration (Simon Fraser University, Vancouver).
She is a popular guest lecturer at conferences and corporate events.
Research Areas
Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), non-financial reporting, attitudes, behavior, change, leadership, effect evaluation of foundation contribution, happiness and communication. For an overview over her academic contribution, please see publications
Teaching Areas
Ditlev-Simonsen teaches innovation and strategy for sustainable business, circular economy and sustainable business in developing countries.
The chapter delves into the ramifications of Norway’s Transparency Act (Åpenhetslo-ven, 2021), which was enacted on 1stof July, 2022, compelling businesses to fosterhuman rights and fair working conditions in their supply chains through enhancedtransparency. It scrutinizes the interpretation and operationalization of The Actwithin two distinct companies, employingthe Knowledge Transfer as Translation(KTT) theory–traditionally applied to knowledge transfer within corporate culture–to navigate The Act’s conversion into corporate actions. This exploration uncovers theobstacles and divergent compliance strategies among the firms, showing that TheAct’s indeterminate language and the specific resources and individuals within eachcompany lead to varied corporate reactions. Despite The Act’s objective to improvesupply chain transparency, the lack of clear norms or a unified understanding of thelegislation at this early stage results in inconsistent applications. The study also positsthat KTT offers a valuable framework for examining the enactment of not only ab-stract cultural issues but also tangible legal mandates, suggesting its broader applica-bility in legal interpretation and corporate action alignment.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2024)
Exploring the correlation between happiness and income, age gender and education. A comparative insight into Norway's current scenario
Et selskapsliv : Festskrift til Tore Bråthen, , s. 189-208.
Jahre, Marianne; Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale, Chao, Emmanuel, Czerwinska, Anna C & Mushi, Mary (2023)
Sustainable New Business Development in the Global South - Supply Chains and Networks
The international journal of Business and Management in Emerging Markets (IJOBMEM), 2(1) - Full text in research archive
To improve understanding of factors to take into account when developing and implementing new sustainable business opportunities in the Global South. The study uses a phenomenon-based approach. Building on three research streams – sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), the industrial network approach (INA) and sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) – this paper develops a conceptual framework and demonstrates its applicability using a relevant case study: Business Opportunities for the Opuntia cactus (prickly pear) in Tanzania. New business opportunities can be identified from three different perspectives: demand-pull, supply-push, and gaps in supply chains. The proposed framework suggests how to include all three perspectives and what factors to account for in development and implementation.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2022)
A Guide to Sustainable Corporate Responsibility. From Theory to Action.
Palgrave Macmillan
This open access book discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by companies in an age that increasingly values sustainability and demands corporate responsibility. Beginning with the historical development of corporate responsibility, this book moves from academic theory to practical application. It points to ways in which companies can successfully manage their transition to a more responsible, sustainable way of doing business, common mistakes to avoid and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are integral to any sustainability transformation. Practical cases illustrate key points. Drawing on thirty years of sustainability research and extensive corporate experience, the author provides tools such as a Step-by-Step strategic guide on integrating sustainability in collaboration with stakeholders including employees, customers, suppliers and investors. The book is particularly relevant for SMEs and companies operating in emerging markets. From a broader perspective, the value of externalities, full cost pricing, alternative economic theories and circular economy are also addressed.
Samlet bokført egenkapital i norske stiftelser var i 2016 på mer enn 160 milliarder kroner. Samtidig er det lite kunnskap om hvordan stiftelseskapitalen er forvaltet, og hvordan styret i stiftelser arbeider med kapitalforvaltningen. I denne studien ser vi nærmere på hvordan fem tilfeldig valgte stiftelser med egenkapital på fem til syv millioner kroner forholder seg til stiftelseslovens § 18 om forvaltning av stiftelsens kapital.
Det fremkommer at fire av stiftelsene forvalter hoveddelen av kapitalen som bankinnskudd, og at risikominimering er hovedbegrunnelsen for dette. Vedtektene stiller i liten grad krav til styrets forvaltningskompetanse, og det er variasjon knyttet til hvem som treffer forvaltningsavgjørelser i stiftelsen. Studien bidrar på flere nivåer. Fra et akademisk ståsted bidrar studien til kunnskap rundt oppfatning av begrep, avgjørelsesprosesser og valg av strategi. Fra et mer praktisk perspektiv bidrar studien til kunnskap om hvordan styrer arbeider. Funnene kan også være av praktisk nytte for stiftelser generelt
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2017)
Beyond sponsorship - exploring the impact of cooperation between corporations and NGOs
Sponsorship is a key element of many companies’ marketing. At the same time, companies are increasingly concerned about corporate social responsibility (CSR) (Ditlev-Simonsen 2010, Wirl 2014, Scalet and Kelly 2010, Martínez-Ferrero et al. 2016, The Economist 2008a). This paper will illustrate how combining sponsorships with CSR through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be a win-win case both for the company and the NGO. Approaches to document the societal effect of such initiatives will also be addressed. exploitable commercial potential associated with that property» (McKelvey and Grady 2008). Corporate sponsorship is a form of marketing in which a corporation pays for all or some of the costs associated with a project or program. In exchange, the company gets its logo exposed, earning attention and—to some extent—goodwill. The global sponsorship market is large, estimated at more than $38 billion in 2007, against $ 449 on advertising (The Economist 2008b). The article will start by presenting the following key concepts: sponsorship, charity, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The demand for integrating CSR into business and documenting its effects will be addressed as well. Thereafter, these concepts will be discussed relative to each other. Different models and theories on businessNGO relationships will be presented, as well as the Cone et al. four-principles model for NGO interaction in this study. Integrating two more principles, goal-setting and effect evaluation, into the Cone et al. model is suggested to capture the increased demand on companies to act on and include CSR in day-to-day business. The extended Cone et al. model will be applied to three business-NGO initiatives (IKEA-WWF, WalmartAlliance and The Body Shop-ECBAT) to illustrate how the new model can be applied.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2016)
From idealism to profitability
L'Impresa di domani: Innovativa sostensibile inclusiva, , s. 37-40.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2016)
Rapportering om samfunnsansvar i små foretak
Moderne Forretningsjus III, , s. 85-100.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale & Wenstøp, Fred (2016)
Attitudes towards ethical pension management among Norwegians
Are Non-Financial (CSR) Reports Trustworthy? A Study of The Extent to Which Non-Financial Reports Reflect the Media’ Perception of The Company’s Behaviour
Issues in Social & Environmental Accounting, 8(2) , s. 116-133.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale & Wenstøp, Fred Erling (2013)
How stakeholders view stakeholders as CSR motivators
Purpose This study investigates perceptions of the relative importance of different stakeholders (owners, employees, customers, NGOs and governmental authorities) as agents motivating managers to engage in CSR. The purpose was to determine which stakeholders are viewed as key motivators and which the respondents think ought to be key stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach This is an empirical study. Three stakeholder groups – Corporate leaders, MSc business students and NGOs – were consulted through a paper survey (N=264). Findings The findings reveal that the three stakeholder groups roughly agree that owners are the main motivators for managers to pursue CSR, followed by customers, governments, employees and NGOs, in that order. We then turned from perceptions of how things are to opinions about how things ought to be, asking who should be the main motivator. In this case, customers moved up to first place, followed by employees, owners, government and NGOs. Age, but not gender, was a significant variable. The older the respondents, the smaller the discrepancy between perceptions of what is and opinions about what ought to be. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in Norway and generalization is therefore limited. By replicating the study in other countries cultural differences can be investigated. Practical and social implications The findings are applicable for evaluating different avenues for understanding and influencing managerial and stakeholder CSR behaviour. Originality/value Several studies have concluded that stakeholders are of key importance in the CSR setting. However, few studies so far have compared the perceived relative “power” held by stakeholders. This type of knowledge can provide a key to understanding the development of CSR
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale & Wenstøp, Fred Erling (2013)
Ledelse av samfunnsansvar (CSR) - hva ønsker de ansatte?
Magma forskning og viten, 16(2) , s. 32-38.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
The role-play approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) education: The concept and a step-by-step example
Education and Corporate Social Responsibility: International Perspectives, , s. 35-56.
The purpose of this article is to explore the concept of stages of growth in organizational research by applying this concept to the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The article starts by reviewing theory building from a stage model perspective. Next, key CSR models are reviewed, before the stage model perspective is applied to the CSR phenomenon. We suggest a stage model for corporate social responsibility consisting of three combined stages. For each of these stages we highlight the distinction between first movers and followers. By including these perspectives we put forward the “hidden fact” that corporations that might look equally CSR engaged from the outside, can be at very different levels of CSR on the inside. The model suggested should be tested in the future through benchmarking corporations. By applying the suggested model, corporations can get a deeper understanding of their CSR status. The model suggested takes into consideration an issue which has received little attention in CSR research so far. Rather than studying annual reports and statements about corporate social responsibility, the practice of local and global companies should be studied, as there seems to be a substantial discrepancy between talk and walk in CSR. To this end, the stage model is proposed to help guide future CSR development in companies.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2011)
ISO 26000 som et virkemiddel for institusjonalisering av samfunnsansvar (CSR)
This paper investigates rhetoric applied in 80 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports in 2005. A taxonomy of five distinct rhetorical strategies for describing the purpose of CSR is applied; Agency (profit), Benefit (collective welfare), Compliance (laws and contracts), Duty (duties), and Ethos (virtue). The findings reveal that very different rhetoric is applied. Ethos is the most common ethical perspective expressed in the reports, Benefit and Agency are on second and third place. Specific patterns of ethical reasoning appear to be common, while other possible reasoning strategies are rare. The most prevalent pattern of ethical reasoning is to link Agency and Benefit perspectives, claiming that Benefit is done for the sake of Agency. These findings constitute a new approach in CSR research.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2010)
Bedrifters støtte til frivillige organisasjoner (NGOer); Filantropi, samfunnsansvar og de ansatte
Praktisk økonomi & finans, (1) , s. 90-98.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline D. (2010)
Bedrifters støtte til frivillige organisasjoner (NGOer)
Praktisk økonomi & finans, (1) , s. 90-98.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline D. (2010)
From corporate social responsibility awareness to action?
Social Responsibility Journal, 6(3) , s. 452-468.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline D. (2010)
Historical Account of Key Words in Non-Financial Report Titles
Issues in Social & Environmental Accounting, 4(2) , s. 136-148.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline D. (2009)
Fordrer det noe spesielt å lede en samfunnsansvarlig bedrift?
Magma forskning og viten, 12(2) , s. 23-33.
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2017)
Lønnsomt samfunnsansvar : dokumentasjon, suksesskriterier og fremgangsmåte
Magma forskning og viten [Kronikk]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Magma 02-2013: Ansatte vil gjerne ta aktiv del i bedrifters samfunnsansvarsarbeid
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Ledelse av samfunnsansvar (CSR) - hva ønsker de ansatte?
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Å gro bart er blitt den nye Birken
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Ansatte får ikke være med å bestemme
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
De unge slurver mest med kildesortering
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Rapportering på samfunnsansvar gjelder alle
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Unge gir blaffen
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Lykkens pris
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Si mindre men snakk om det viktige
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Bedriften får en ny rolle
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
360 grader samfunnsansvar
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Ledere gir bort julegavene
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Det er eit gap mellom liv og lære
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Også en juleforestilling
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Ansatte vil gjerne ta aktiv del i bedriftenes samfunnsansvarsarbeid
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Støtter gode formål uten å spørre de ansatte
[Internet]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Under halvparten får julegaver på jobben
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2013)
Unge dårligst på kildesortering
[Journal]
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2021)
Hvordan bidrar åpenhetsloven - og hva innebærer den for din bedrift?
