All programmes > Multinationals en European Institutions (B)

Multinationals en European Institutions (B) (B-KUL-HTH90A)

This is a translated version. Original version in Dutch.
3 ECTSDutch12 First term
De Brucker Klaas (coordinator) |  De Brucker Klaas |  Sels Annabel
OC Handelswetenschappen FEB Campus Brussel

Aims

The student identifies the international ‘(European environment) in which companies, and in particular multinationals, operate (1.a, 3.a)

The student masters the major European policy areas and their impact on business (1.a, 3.a, 3.g)

The student distinguishes and can explain how the different global strategies of the MNE determine which foreign entry modes are adequate (2.q.)

The student masters the functioning of the institutions of the European Union (3.g)

Students should acquire insight into the evolution of the process towards European integration and should be able to assess the potential as well as the limitations of this process in terms of its future evolution.

 

The student analyses and explains current European issues (3.g, 11.c)

The student can analyse the determinants of successful internationalization by MNEs through different theoretical perspectives: transaction cost theory, institutional theory and resource dependence theory (3.i.)

The student analyses and explains current European issues (3.g, 11.c)

The student carries out an international business strategy project for a company in a team and divides tasks to come jointly to a recommendation (9.a).

The student can apply an international business strategy model, gather data at firm, industry and country level to propose an adequate international business strategy (11.c.)

 

1.a. analyses the environment in which an organisation is active and estimates the influence of environmental factors on the functioning of the organisation.

1.c. uses the analysis of a business economic problem to develop and propose a solution in line with the organisational strategy.

2.q. distinguishes and explains the different internationalisation strategies and processes of organisations.

3.a. detects the impact of regional, national and international environmental factors on corporate policies and estimates the complexity of operating in an international environment when putting together a strategy.

3.g. from a multidisciplinary perspective (and on the economic, legal, historic and social level), situates, analyses and evaluates the main powers and policies of international organisations regarding international trade and investment.

3.i. describes the perspectives of economic science, uses them in a (business) economics context and reflects critically on them.

9.a. in a team and depending on the context, takes on management, executive or supportive tasks and as such contributes actively to a joint result.

11.c. analyses an economic problem in its context, combines data to solve this problem and uses the accumulated multidisciplinary knowledge.

 

Previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of Micro- and Macro-economics

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
HSH92A : Multinationals and European Institutions
HSA18A : Multinationals and European Institutions (B)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

3 ects. Multinationals en European Institutions (B) (B-KUL-HTH90a)

3 ECTSDutchFormat: Lecture12 First term
De Brucker Klaas |  Sels Annabel
OC Handelswetenschappen FEB Campus Brussel

Content

This course aims at familiarizing business economists with diverse aspects of international and European business. Business is analyzed from two angles; the international (and European) political and institutional perspective and the business economic perspective.

More generally speaking, students get a better insight into the international (European, US, Asian) environment that companies operate in and into the functioning of multinational enterprises in this international environment.

 

Part I: European Policy (Prof. Dr. K. De Brucker)

1. Historical evolution of the European integration process

2. The institutional structure of the European Union

3. The EU budget

4. Introductory concepts with respect to integration: political and economical (from a customs union towards an economic an monetary union)

5. Economic effects of a customs union

6. Economic effects of the European single market

7. European competition policy*

8. Common Agricultural Policy*

Students will have to study a number of chapters on their own as part of what is called a 'self-study component' (e.g. the chapters labelled with *). The self-study component may also include a number of articles or guest lectures. Further details regarding the ‘self-study component’ will be provided at the beginning of the course. In case there were insufficient time during the lectures to cover the main readings (e.g., because of lengthy class discussions), the ‘self-study component’ may be extended (meaning that a few of the main readings on the course topics listed above, could be added to the ‘self-study component’).

The above-mentioned overview is purely indicative and subject to change. Such changes will be announced through Toledo or during the lectures.

 

PART 2: The  economic theory of multinational enterprises (MNEs) (Prof. dr. Annabel Sels)

2.1.         Globalizing business

2.2.         Theoretical frameworks in International Business: institutional theory (formal/informal) 

2.3.         Theoretical frameworks in International Business: resource based view: resources, competitiveness and growth

2.4.         Foreign direct investment and the OLI Paradigm

2.5.         Global integration and multilateral trade and investment organizations

2.5.         Non-equity entry modes, the internationalization process, born globals

2.6.         Strategic decisions on international expansion

2.7.         Strategic alliances and joint ventures

2.8.         Competitive dynamics in entry games

2.9.         Corporate strategies and structures for MNEs

 

Course material

  • De Brucker, K. (2023), Europese Instellingen en Beleid, Leuven: Acco (ISBN 978-9-4646-7306-7) (Verplicht)
  • Peng, M., Meyer, K. (2023). International Business, Cengage (ISBN:978-1-4737-7989-1) (Verplicht)
  • Geeroms H., Ide S. en Naert F. (2014), The European Union and the Euro - How to deal with a currency built on dreams, Antwerpen: Intersentia (ISBN: 9781780681832) (Aanbevolen, niet verplicht)
  • Baldwin R en Wyplosz Ch. (2020), The economics of European Integration, 6th edition, Londen: McGraw-Hill Education (ISBN 6th edition: 9781526847218) (Aanbevolen, niet verplicht)
  • Het aandachtig bijwonen van de colleges en de notities die tijdens deze colleges dienen te worden genomen (Verplicht)
  • Aanvullend studiemateriaal kan eventueel via Toledo worden aangeboden (Verplicht)

Language of instruction: more information

Nederlands

Format: more information

Interactive lectures with discussions regarding current topics. Besides the topics that are part of the self-study component, a guest lecture or conference may be part of the course as well. Details regarding these will be given by the professor at the start of the lectures. In addition students are expected to follow current socio-economic events regarding EU and international affairs in the media and analyse these carefully in an analytical way. Major socio-economic events may also be discussed during the lectures. The content of the self-study component as well as the extra guest lectures/conferences and the current socio-economic events are part of the material to be studied for the exam. Students are also expected to take down lecture notes during the lectures.

As this course is part of an evening programme and since it is fully offered in a blended-learning (i.e. hybrid) format, the number of contact hours is about half that of the corresponding traditional (non-blended) course from the day programme. Consequently, this means that the required study time (and study load) for the blended-learning course is substantially higher than the number of contact hours may make you believe. To pass the exam, extra efforts in terms of self-study will, therefore, be required to attain the level defined by the number of credits (3 credits) or corresponding study load (75 to 90 hours of study for a target student).

Evaluation

Evaluation: Multinationals en European Institutions (B) (B-KUL-H74416)

Type : Exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written
Type of questions : Multiple choice, Open questions, Closed questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Written examination (closed book) at the end of the semester during which the course took place, whereby the competences regarding reproduction, insight and association are tested, as well as the skills of analysis and synthesis.

Besides content-related matters, the evaluation will consider a number of formal aspects related to the answers, including correct language, style, accuracy, clarity, brevity, non redundancy, unambiguity, etc.

The exam consists of two parts: 'Multinationals' (scored out of 10 points) and 'European institutions' (scored out of 10 points). The final score (out of 20 points) is the sum of the partial scores. The final score (i.e. the grand total) is the only relevant score. Students pass this exam as soon as they obtain a final score (or grand total) of at least 10 out of 20. Partial credits/exemptions are not possible.

Besides a number of open questions, the exam also comprises a number of closed questions such as e.g. multiple choice questions. As regards the part related to ‘European institutions’, the share of the multiple choice questions will be smaller than or at the most equal to 6 points out of 10. The grading of these questions will be subject to a guess correction, the details of which will be communicated at the beginning of this part of the course. For the second exam chance the amount of multiple choice questions may be reduced in number or be replaced completely by open questions. For the second exam chance, the closed (or multiple choice) questions may be reduced in number and weight (or be replaced completely by open questions). As far as the part 'Multinationals' is concerned, the share of multiple choice questions can amount to up to 5 points out of 10. The grading of these questions will be subject to a guess correction, the details of which will be communicated at the beginning of this part of the course.

All study material (incl. the self-study component) has to be studied for the exam.

For the second exam chance, the exam will be organised in the same way as for the first exam chance, and this applies to both parts of the exam. The only exception is that the share of multiple choice questions may sometimes be lower for the second exam chance, as explained above.

In case new and unforeseen developments require an adjustment of the evaluation (or other) formats, more details will be communicated through Toledo.

Information about retaking exams

For the second exam chance, the exam will be organised in the same way as for the first exam chance. The only exception is that the share of multiple choice questions may sometimes be lower for the second exam chance, as explained above.