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Course Description:
This course examines entrepreneurship and the practice of doing business across diverse economic, political, cultural, and institutional contexts in an increasingly interdependent, multipolar, and unevenly integrated world economy. It focuses on how firms, entrepreneurs, and markets operate across different regulatory systems, development paths, and regional business environments, with particular attention to emerging markets and major sectors such as IT, energy, retail, manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, food, and textiles.
By bringing together the perspectives of economics, culture, and politics, the course highlights the distinction between domestic and international business and explores how national differences, institutional settings, and state–market relations shape cross-border operations and strategic decision-making. Within this broader framework, the course also considers how major disruptions—such as financial crises, pandemics, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related pressures—affect global business strategies, institutions, and market dynamics.
Through selected readings and international case studies, students will develop a comparative understanding of entrepreneurship, global business strategy, and the opportunities and constraints of operating in a rapidly changing international environment.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- explain key concepts in international business and economics, including trade and investment, foreign exchange, global value chains, and mergers and acquisitions;
- analyze how institutions, regulations, and business practices shape international economic activity;
- identify and assess the challenges firms face in cross-border operations;
- evaluate how cultural, political, legal, and economic differences influence business decisions;
- examine the interaction between business and government in the global economy;
- apply comparative and managerial insights to international strategy and operations;
- develop informed perspectives on entrepreneurship and business adaptation amid global volatility.
Key Themes
- Entrepreneurship and economic development
- International versus domestic business
- Global interdependence and multipolarity
- National differences and business systems
- Political, legal, and cultural environments of business
- Emerging markets and middle-income trap dynamics
- Global business strategy
- Entry and exit strategies
- Strategic alliances and mergers & acquisitions
- Foreign direct investment
- Global value chains, outsourcing, and logistics
- External shocks, pandemics, and protectionism
- Business adaptation under geopolitical and climate pressures
Prerequisites:
Introductory knowledge of economics and international business/trade is highly recommended. English language proficiency is required.
Teaching Strategy:
The course combines lecture-based instruction, instructor-provided readings, PowerPoint-supported teaching, interactive class discussion, and student presentations based on company case studies. In the second part of the semester, student presentations form a central part of the seminar process.
Assessment
- Attendance and active participation: 30%
- Presentation(s): 35%
- Final take-home exam: 35%
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