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2024/2025  BA-BIBAO2010U  Asian Business Systems: State, Institutions and the Global Economy

English Title
Asian Business Systems: State, Institutions and the Global Economy

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Business, Asian Language and Culture
Course coordinator
  • Lotte Thomsen - Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
This course is taught by Lotte Thomsen
Main academic disciplines
  • Corporate governance
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Management
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 06-06-2024

Relevant links
Learning objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
  • Describe and assess how different business systems in Asia operate and how they are institutionally embedded
  • Compare and contrast business systems across Asian economies
  • Explain how business systems in Asia are intertwined with globalisation
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
The course involves a 5 page compulsory assignment prepared in groups during the course and to be handed in by a set deadline.

Students who due to illness or other excused absence cannot participate during the semester shall instead individually hand in a three pages assignment prior to the exam. The assignment will be approved/dismissed on the basis of compliance with the learning objectives.
Examination
Asian Business Systems: State, Institutions and the Global Economy:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 5 pages
Appendices and References will be in addition to the 5 page write up.
Assignment type Written assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure
  • The examination is a term paper based on a topic that will be selected  by the  instructor.
  • The term paper must apply relevant theories, literature and study material to address a clearly stated research question
  • The term paper must be based on an appropriate application of standard rules for quoting and referencing the applied literature and sources.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course aims for student to understand Asian business systems. It engages with the various analytical components that constitute business systems, using these to examine and compare different Asian business systems. We pay systematic  attention to the national contextual settings that interact with economies and businesses. More specifically, the course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural institutions in Asian economies. The course also explores how national systems are intertwined with the dynamics of globalisation.

 

Theoretically, the course takes a starting point in business system literature and combine this with complementary literature on varities of capitalism. The global value chain approach is used to examine and reflect upon links between national business systems and the regional/global economy. 
Description of the teaching methods
Teaching methods will essentially be based on the concept of active learning with a focus on engaging the students. For this blended and diverse teaching methods will be employed held both online and on campus. Each online lecture is combined with different types of online activities that shift between plenum, group work and individual engagement.

The course includes components of lecturing, exercises and case presentations. The methodological components of the course include essay writing aiming at strengthening the students' academic writing qualifications and ability of using the concept of business systems in writing, and thus also for the exam.


The course will be evaluated by students twice during the semester: mid semester and at the end of the semester.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback is provided continuously from teachers on the various smaller exercises incorporated in lectures and blended exercises. Feedback is also provided by teachers in the form of supervision of the 2 first pages of the final exam essay. In addition, Peergrading is used for additional feedback and for students to engage constructively with each others work, also giving the students an opportunity to engage with the course syllabus broadly.
Student workload
Lectures 26 hours
Exercise - case assignment (1 x 4 hours in 2 groups) 4 hours
Exam related workshop in essay writing (2 x 4 hours in 2 groups) 8 hours
Preparation (i.e. hours spent for reading, group work, etc.) 128 hours
Examination 40 hours
In total 206 hours
Further Information

Please note that this course will be discontinued and run for the first last time in Autumn 2025. The last exam will be offered in winter 2026. See the programme regulations for transition notes.

Expected literature

Basic Readings: 

 

  • Witt, M.A. and Redding G. (2014). (eds) “The Oxford Handbook of Asian Business Systems”.  Oxford, UK: Oxford University ( will be covered substantially)
  • North D.C.(1990) “Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance”. Chapter 1, “An introduction to institutions and institutional change.
  • Hall P.A. and Soskice D.(2001) “Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage” Chapter 1: Introduction

 

Please note: these reading materials are only tentative and changes may occur. Final literature lists will be uploaded on Canvas before the course begins. 

Last updated on 06-06-2024