Course content
International Business
Since you started studying, the world has been marked by major changes in the European Union, a global pandemic and social distancing, high geopolitical instability, and intensifying climate disruptions. Is the world becoming more uncertain, or is society just inherently uncertain?
As you can guess, discussions around this issue are fairly open-ended. Ultimately, the question is not that important – but the strategies that can counteract uncertainty are. The International Business (IB) literature suggests that, in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic global landscape, cultivating business networks is critical to strengthening organizational resilience. By structuring operations and strategies around robust business networks, which include buyers, suppliers, and customers, organizations are less impacted by instabilities, more adapted to geopolitical and economic shifts, and can capitalize on new opportunities. Understanding these networks is crucial for improving strategic foresight and preserving a competitive advantage in an uncertain world.
Economic Geography
While understanding relational ties is important, some argue that the spatial context in which these ties are formed (i.e., cities, countries, or continents) may be just as important. Economic Geography provides the lens to understand the implications of location on organizational performance. Scholars suggest that local-global networks and proximity shape business behaviors, providing both opportunities and challenges.
Network theory is suitable for understanding uncertainty in international business and economic geography. The theory allows us to understand how businesses can adapt to disruptions caused by instabilities or rapid technological changes. Analyzing relational and spatial ties among firms, countries, and industries can inform corporate strategy design and implementation.
The curriculum is structured around international business and economic geography theories, which are applied to the concept of uncertainty. In the initial sessions, students will gain background knowledge on the sources of uncertainty through real-world case studies. Students will be introduced to MNC responses to uncertainty and the ways in which geography shapes these responses. Subsequently, the computer sessions will use analytical tools, allowing students to apply the theory to real-world problems. Students will be able to critically discuss results and provide high-level strategic suggestions for complex corporate challenges.
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