Caroline Dale Ditlev-Simonsen is Professor at BI 黑料专区 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, 黑料专区 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 黑料专区 Foundations (Stiftelsesklagenemda) from 2015 – 2019, member of the 黑料专区 Ethics Information Committee 2018 – 2019 and member of the Board of Trustees (Styremedlem) BI 黑料专区 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 黑料专区 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.
Acting on the 黑料专区 Transparency act: interpretation and implementation
De Grandis, Giovanni & Blanchard, Anne (red.). The Fragility of Responsibility : Norway鈥檚 Transformative Agenda for Research, Innovation and Business
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
Birkeland, Kari; Br氓then, Gina & Viken, Monica (red.). Et selskapsliv : Festskrift til Tore Br氓then
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)
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.
Kapitalforvaltning i stiftelser: Styrets oppfatninger av forsvarlig forvaltning
Magma forskning og viten, 21(6), s. 72- 81. -
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
International journal of corporate social responsibility, 2 Doi: -
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2016)
From idealism to profitability
Sobrero, Rossella (red.). L'Impresa di domani: Innovativa sostensibile inclusiva
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2016)
Rapportering om samfunnsansvar i små foretak
Anderssen, Harald B & Br氓then, Tore (red.). Moderne Forretningsjus III
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale & Wenstøp, Fred (2016)
Attitudes towards ethical pension management among 黑料专区s
Beta, 30(2), s. 100- 118. Doi:
Ditlev-Simonsen, Caroline Dale (2015)
The gap between attitude and behavior in environmental protection - the case of Norway
Stoknes, Per Espen & Eliassen, Kjell Arnold (red.). Science based activism. Festschrift to J酶rgen Randers
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