GLOBAL BUSINESS STRATEGY AND RESPONSIBLITY: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Syllabus
EN
IT
Learning Objectives
This course is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the major issues and problems associated with the historical analysis of the formulation and implementation of responsible global business strategies. This will be achieved by reference to the way particular firms and entrepreneurs in different time periods, industries, and countries have developed and implemented their global business strategies. Emphasis will be given to discussions around the responsibility of businesses in strategy formulation and decision taking when operating in different foreign contexts and in globalization and deglobalization periods. Key theories and frameworks in international business will be used to help contextualise historical phenomena and draw generalisations.
Prerequisites
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Program
**Week 1:**
- What is 'Global Business Strategy and Responsibility' about?
- The evolution of global business - A historical perspective
- How has business shaped and been shaped by globalization and deglobalization waves
- Task: Research activity
**Week 2:**
- International market entry strategies
- Concepts, frameworks, and theories in international business
- Case study - Globalizing consumer durables: Singer sewing machine before 1914
**Week 3:**
- Responsibility of global business
- Productive/ Unproductive entrepreneurship
- Task: Research activity
**Week 4:**
- Crises in global business
- High-risk environment in international business
- Case study: Octopus and the Generals: The United Fruit Company in Guatemala
**Week 5:**
- Creating Emerging Markets
- Multinational strategies and the evolution of global value chains
- Task: Research activity
**Week 6:**
- Organizational innovation in global business
- Case Study: Aristotle Onassis and the Greek Shipping industry
**Week 7:**
- The Great Divergence
- Revisions
- What is 'Global Business Strategy and Responsibility' about?
- The evolution of global business - A historical perspective
- How has business shaped and been shaped by globalization and deglobalization waves
- Task: Research activity
**Week 2:**
- International market entry strategies
- Concepts, frameworks, and theories in international business
- Case study - Globalizing consumer durables: Singer sewing machine before 1914
**Week 3:**
- Responsibility of global business
- Productive/ Unproductive entrepreneurship
- Task: Research activity
**Week 4:**
- Crises in global business
- High-risk environment in international business
- Case study: Octopus and the Generals: The United Fruit Company in Guatemala
**Week 5:**
- Creating Emerging Markets
- Multinational strategies and the evolution of global value chains
- Task: Research activity
**Week 6:**
- Organizational innovation in global business
- Case Study: Aristotle Onassis and the Greek Shipping industry
**Week 7:**
- The Great Divergence
- Revisions
Books
Relevant bibliography is provided for each week and each topic. The readings include:
- Theories, frameworks, and concepts – articles and book chapters will be recommended to help you familiarize yourself with the main topics discussed in the classes.
- Case studies – simulations of real-life situations which highlight the weekly theme and involve discussion retrospectively about global business strategies developed by entrepreneurs and the decisions they took.
- Press articles about the challenges faced historically by multinational enterprises and their relevance for today’s global challenges.
- Theories, frameworks, and concepts – articles and book chapters will be recommended to help you familiarize yourself with the main topics discussed in the classes.
- Case studies – simulations of real-life situations which highlight the weekly theme and involve discussion retrospectively about global business strategies developed by entrepreneurs and the decisions they took.
- Press articles about the challenges faced historically by multinational enterprises and their relevance for today’s global challenges.
Bibliography
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Teaching methods
- Weekly lectures – lectures will introduce the main issues, with relevance to the topic discussed. There will be a list of ‘key readings’ (core readings on the topic discussed in the week) associated with the lecture, and a list of ‘other readings’, for those students who wish to go deeper in terms of their understanding of a particular topic.
- Weekly seminars – Every week there will be different activities which will involve research and analysis of particular MNEs and their evolution and strategies with regards to a particular topic. In some weeks this analysis will focus on written case studies, in others on firms selected and researched by students. Student active preparation for and participation in seminars is crucial. Details on the seminar activities will be given in class.
- Weekly seminars – Every week there will be different activities which will involve research and analysis of particular MNEs and their evolution and strategies with regards to a particular topic. In some weeks this analysis will focus on written case studies, in others on firms selected and researched by students. Student active preparation for and participation in seminars is crucial. Details on the seminar activities will be given in class.
Exam Rules
- The course requirements include in-class attendance and participation, in-class presentation, and a final take-home writing assignment.
**In-class attendance and participation:**
- Each week, every student will be given the opportunity to do individual or group research, discuss it with the rest of the group, and in the class.
**In-class presentation:**
- All students will have the opportunity to present their work in class, sometimes relating to a piece of research they carried out or to a written case study. Presentations will usually last 5-7 minutes, and slides or visual material are encouraged.
**Take home writing assignment:**
- The class also requires a final take-home assignment.
**Grading:**
- The breakdown for grading is as follows:
- Attendance and participation – 20%
- Class group presentation and submission of presentation slides – 20%
- Final take-home assignment – 60%
Not attending students will discuss the exam program with the teacher.
**In-class attendance and participation:**
- Each week, every student will be given the opportunity to do individual or group research, discuss it with the rest of the group, and in the class.
**In-class presentation:**
- All students will have the opportunity to present their work in class, sometimes relating to a piece of research they carried out or to a written case study. Presentations will usually last 5-7 minutes, and slides or visual material are encouraged.
**Take home writing assignment:**
- The class also requires a final take-home assignment.
**Grading:**
- The breakdown for grading is as follows:
- Attendance and participation – 20%
- Class group presentation and submission of presentation slides – 20%
- Final take-home assignment – 60%
Not attending students will discuss the exam program with the teacher.