Faculty
Ari Koko

Course Coordinator
Ari Koko

The course is designed as a core course in the M.Sc.(IB) program (Cand Merc.IBS) at the end of the first year. It is a regional based applied course in which students are expected to be able to apply concepts and theories from other IB courses, especially IB25, IB40 and IB46, in addition to new material taught in this course, to cases of firms and countries in emerging markets. Finally, students are expected to demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the subjects taught thus being able to (1) analyze different business environments and (2) identify implications for business strategies and operations in emerging economies.

Participants who are not part of the M.Sc. IB program should have a corresponding prior knowledge in international business or business strategy analysis, as well as an understanding of the role of business in development and society, from a completed bachelor degree in business.

The course shall enable students to analyse issues of international business in emerging markets, such as those found in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Furthermore, the course will enable students to analyse international business relationships from the perspectives of both the multinational enterprise and local stakeholders. This is a course where business cases occasionally are included and discussed, drawing on theoretical materials covered in earlier parts of the M.Sc. (IB) program. At the end of the course students must be able to:

The course focuses on the following issues faced by international business across emerging markets, drawing on literature covering the above mentioned regions.

Business Environment:

How do emerging markets differ from established market economies? Why is the development of institutions so important? How do the specific business conditions impact on the strategies and operations of local businesses? How do multinational enterprises manage their relationships with host governments?

Entry Strategies in Emerging Markets:

Why do multinational firms consider engaging in business in less advanced economies? How do they design their entry-strategy, for instance with respect to entry mode and entry timing?

Operating affiliates in emerging markets:

What specific issues arise for multinational firm operating within emerging markets? How can firms handle the gap in terms of culture and economic development between their country of origin and the host country?

Group project

The details for the group project will be specified at the beginning of the course. The project assignment will focus on the internationalization and globalization of selected emerging markets. Skilful application of theoretical concepts taught in this course and other IB courses is expected.

The method is based on a pedagogical concept of learning by doing. Most of the learning occurs as participants prepare themselves individually before class and thereafter reflect upon the lecture in their groups. The preparation should include a discussion of the literature as well as the assigned case analysis. Students are thus highly recommended to form study groups. During the course, the instructors will ask various groups to prepare presentations on specific questions or aspects for the rest of the class. Furthermore, instructors reserve the right to "cold-call" on students at any time during class. Students are expected to answer questions about the readings from both the instructors and fellow students in an in-depth and well-informed manner from a variety of case based and theoretical perspectives.

There is no compendium for this course. A full reading list will be specified before the first lecture, and posted on Sitescape. The course coordinator uploads as much of the required readings as possible to Sitescape. Additional course material will available in electronic form from the CBS library.