2012/2013  KAN-CBL_GLOB  Globalization, New Trends in Trade and Business in African contexts

English Title

Globalization, New Trends in Trade and Business in African contexts

Course information
Language	English
Exam ECTS	7.5 ECTS
Type	Elective
Level	Full Degree Master
Duration	One Semester
Course period	Autumn 10 sessions of 3 x 45 minutes during 10 weeks 1 lesson/week on Wednesdays, 10.00-13.00 or 13.00-16.00
Time Table	Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Max. participants	60
Study board	Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, MSc
Course coordinator
Eric Komlavi Hahonou - Department of Intercultural Communication and Management
Secretary: Birgitte Hertz, bhe.stu@cbs.dk
Main Category of the Course
Globalization, International Business, markets and studies International Political Economy Political leadership, public management and international politics
Last updated on 12-03-2012

Learning objectives

At the end of the course the students should be able to: Explain how the institutional context in African countries shapes business practices. Explain and compare key changes and challenges for trade and business in Africa Formulate a relevant topic based on the themes and concepts in the curriculum, and develop links between their chosen topic and the other concepts and themes in the curriculum. Students should be able to synthesise and reflect analytically upon the overall themes and concepts presented in the curriculum develop his/her own analysis by elaborating upon the topics and concepts raised during the course

Prerequisite

Bachelor degree

Examination

48-hour essay examination

48-hour essay examination: Type of test Home Assignment Marking scale 7-step scale Second examiner Second internal examiner Exam period October, End of October (or beginning of November) Preferred exam date/period. Week 44 or 45 Aids Open Book, Written and Electronic Aid is permitted Duration 48 Hours

Course content

The course is concerned with the specific institutional settings that shape trade and business in African countries. The different texts illustrate both the contextual constraints and the entrepreneurial strategies, and confront them to the conception and implementation of policies and neoliberal reforms. More specifically, the course presents the relation between governments, development aid organisations and the private sector as well as the commercial relationships between UE, China and African countries.

Teaching methods

A combination of lectures and student presentations, with focus on students’ abilities to analyze and conceptualize thematic and theoretical features against the backdrop of the course literature. A particular attention will be paid to students’ active participation. Teaching and literature will be in English. When appropriate this course will use cases and documentary movies as a way to illustrate institutional characteristics and dynamics.

Student workload

lectures 18 hours Preparation to student's presentations 4 hours Reading of literature and preparation to examination 124 hours Examination 48 hours

Expected literature

To be announced on Learn, but most likely: Lecture 1 : Introduction : - AFRICA YEAR BOOK, Politics, economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2010. - Collier Paul and Jan Willem Gunning, (1999) ‘Explaining African Economic Performance’. Lecture 2 : Privatization and neoliberal reforms in African contexts - Meagher, Kate (2003), “A Back Door to Globalisation? Structural Adjustment, Globalisation & Transborder Trade” - Graham Harrison(2010), Neoliberal Africa: The Impact of Global Social Engineering - Fergusson, James, (2005), ”Seeing like an Oil-Company: Space, Security and Global Capital in Neoliberal Africa”. - Danida’s Growth and Employment Strategy (2011). Copenhagen, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lecture 3 : Perspectives on the informal sector in Africa - Meagher, Kate, (2010), ‘Identity Economics: social networks and the informal economy in Nigeria’ - Chalfin B., (2000), Risky business. Economic uncertainty, market reforms and female livelihoods in North-East Ghana. - Berry Sara S., (1985), ‘From peasant to artisan: motor mechanics in a Nigerian Town’ Lecture 4 : Critical perspectives on CSR in African contexts - Bitzer Verena and Pieter Glasbergen, (2010), ‘Partnerships for sustainable change in Cotton: An institutional Analysis of African cases’, - Wambui Kimathi, (2011), ‘Corporate social Responsibility: A fig leaf or a new development path worth pursuing?’ For details and following sessions see annex 1