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2024/2025  BA-BHAAV2482U  Doing Business in Europe: A Case-Based Approach

English Title
Doing Business in Europe: A Case-Based Approach

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Janine Leschke - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
  • Manuele Citi - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • International political economy
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 01-05-2024

Relevant links

Learning objectives
  • Understand and discuss the dynamics and consequences of European integration, the role of its institutions and the central role of the Single Market.
  • Identify the most important dimensions and rationales of EU policies
  • Evaluate the impact of EU policies on the business environment and elaborate possible strategies of adaptation for firms operating in Europe
  • Analyze the regulation of European labour markets and corporate response to European integration
Course prerequisites
No prerequisites
Examination
Doing Business in Europe: A Case-Based Approach:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Essay
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 72 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The retake exam is also a 72-hours take home assignment. Students will be asked to respond to a question that typically draws on the material covered in different classes, and will be required to substantiate their argument by making specific reference to some of the business cases analyzed in class.
Description of the exam procedure

 

The exam is a 72-hour take home assignment. Students will be asked to respond to a question that typically draws on the material covered in different classes, and will be required to substantiate their argument by making specific reference to some of the business cases analyzed in class.

 

The retake exam will also be a 72-hour home assignment.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

 

As the largest common market in the world, the European Union's Single Market has created many opportunities. However, doing business in Europe can be challenging due to the complexities and varieties of business environments in the EU. The Brexit negotiations have highlighted how important this can be for companies' strategic decisions. The emerging body of climate legislation is also deeply affecting the companies' business models. National and multi-national companies have therefore progressively understood the importance of monitoring the changes in EU policies, evaluating the impact on their business and dynamically adapting their strategies.

 

The aim of the course is to present an overview of how the EU institutions and rules affect the European business environment. Students will learn how companies develop their strategic potential when operating - for example - in the European energy, air transport, banking and other services sectors. They will also learn how new EU regulation and business strategies affect workers and the competitiveness of different countries. The course primarily uses Harvard Business cases. By means of using real-world cases, students will actively explore and discuss strategic options of firms in Europe.


The students will develop a general and practical knowledge of EU policies and the relevant implications for business. The skills acquired in the course are highly valued by Danish companies and the public sector.

 

Indicative overview of lectures and cases:

 

1. The EU institutional environment

2. The EU policy-making process, legislative acts, and lobbying

     Case 1: International Lobbying and the Dow Chemical Company

3. The Single European Market & the role of the European Court of Justice

4. The EU competition policy 

     Case 2: Google in Europe: Competition Policy in the Digital Era

5. Introduction to the analysis of the business environment

6. Applied analysis of the business environment (I): Internal market for energy

     Case 3: Leadership and Sustainability at ESB electric utility

7. Applied analysis of the business environment (II): Air transport sector

     Case 4: Air France-KLM: A strategy for the European Skies

8. EU labor markets

     Case 5: Working conditions in the EU air transport sector

9. Labor and service market liberalisation 

     Case 6: Vaxholm Labor Dispute in Sweden

10. Regulating working conditions on labor platforms

      Case7: Social sustainability and decent work on digital platforms

11. Economic and Monetary Union & governance of the Eurozone 

      Case 8: Crédit Agricole

12. External Trade

      Case 9: Owen Barry: Coping with the Brexit Stalemate

13. Conclusion, Q&A session and course evaluation

Description of the teaching methods
Lectures, class discussions, student presentations related to business cases.
Feedback during the teaching period
Due to the case-based teaching, sessions provide extensive opportunities for group work, class discussion, and feedback from the teachers. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of staff office hours.
Student workload
lecture 38 hours
exam 72 hours
preparation for lecture and exam 98 hours
Further Information

 

 


 

Expected literature

The course is based on selected chapters and articles available via the CBS library and CANVAS and a package of selected Harvard business cases.

Last updated on 01-05-2024