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.
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
The historical development of corporate social responsibility in Norway
Idowu, Samuel O.; Schmidpeter, P. & Fifka, M. (red.). Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2014)
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 (2013)
The role-play approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) education: The concept and a step-by-step example
Ahmad, Jamilah & Crowther, David (red.). Education and Corporate Social Responsibility: International Perspectives