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2025/2026  BA-BIBAV1011U  Doing Business in China & Asia Pacific

English Title
Doing Business in China & Asia Pacific

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 60
Study board
Study Board of Business, Language & Area Studies
Course coordinator
  • Peter Popovics - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 13-02-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Understand and apply strategic and managerial objectives, challenges, and solutions to doing business in APAC economies
  • Describe and interpret particular management practices for individual APAC countries as well as pervasive culture and business fundamentals for the entire APAC region
  • Explain how Chinese and APAC firms compete and transform their local economies through accelerated learning and innovation
Examination
Doing Business in China & Asia Pacific:
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 Written assignment
Release of assignment An assigned subject is released in class
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
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
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course focuses on the managerial and strategic aspects of doing business in China and Asia-Pacific (APAC), both from an individual manager/entrepreneur and a firm level point-of-view, in the context of varied ethnic, cultural, and eco - political complexity in Southeast Asia (SEA). Based on models and frameworks developed for business in the APAC region, we cover the most important APAC-wide themes and focus on key countries along the way. China will be given the most attention, as well as Japan and Korea as the two other major economies in the region. We will highlight other SEA countries through group work and guest lectures. The course takes three perspectives:

 

  • Outside-in view: How do we do business in those countries? – What are strategies and experiences of foreign firms entering these countries, and what are typical challenges and solutions? What is unique and what is different about China and APAC? How does China & APAC fit into global strategy and global operations of Western MNCs?

 

  • Inside-in view: How to the locals do business / what is happening here? – How do local firms operate and compete? How are they being supported by their local governments? What is the local cultural, ethnic and historic backdrop that shapes local business? How do local entrepreneurs transform China and APAC economies? What are their sources of competitive advantage and future success?

 

  • Inside-out view: How do these countries internationalize their business? – As local firms develop, how do they internationalize beyond their borders into neighboring APAC countries and to Europe, America, and the rest of the world? What local institutional and policy instruments support this internationalisation? How do these APAC firms compete abroad, and what is their impact on their overseas host countries and economies?

 
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Students conduct independent research-like activities under supervision
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching is based on a combination of lectures, groupwork and exercises. The lectures focus on the introduction of relevant terminology, concepts, case studies and theory. They will offer overviews, examples, clarifications and elaborations of selected areas, as well as an opportunity to address student questions. On-the-spot exercises provide the opportunity to deepen the understanding of new conceptual knowledge. Students actively work in groups on specific assignments, which will help develop competences to link theory with empirical observations, apply analytical rigor and confidently engage in the discourse about China and APAC business. The tutorials prepare the students for their examination.
The course will also make significant use of online elements: external videos, online teaching (as necessary), Internet research, and online team interaction. In particular, we will make use of the online platform Peergrade for peer-to-peer feedback.
Feedback during the teaching period
Students receive feedback during the exercises and their groupwork on their assignments by the teachers. In addition, we practice feedback from peers through direct responses to other students’ work either during the exercises or by using the online platform Peergrade. Teachers offer further feedback in response to questions by groups of students or individual students.
Student workload
Lectures 26 hours
Exercises 12 hours
Preparation (i.e. hours spent for reading, group work, etc.) 125 hours
Examination 48 hours
Expected literature

 

  •  Verbeke et al 2019 Contemporary International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region. Cambridge Univ. Press. (ISBN 978-1108620680)

 

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

Last updated on 13-02-2025