2025/2026 KAN-CSCAV2501U International Business and Economic Geography
English Title | |
International Business and Economic Geography |
Course information |
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Language | English |
Course ECTS | 7.5 ECTS |
Type | Elective |
Level | Full Degree Master |
Duration | One Semester |
Start time of the course | Spring |
Timetable | Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk |
Min. participants | 10 |
Max. participants | 80 |
Study board |
Study Board of Markets & Innovation
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Course coordinator | |
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Main academic disciplines | |
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Teaching methods | |
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Last updated on 12/02/2025 |
Relevant links |
Learning objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apply network theory and analysis to understand
global trade and international business dynamics.
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Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Course content, structure and pedagogical approach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Business
Since you started studying, the world has been marked by major changes in the European Union, a global pandemic and social distancing, high geopolitical instability, and intensifying climate disruptions. Is the world becoming more uncertain, or is society just inherently uncertain?
As you can guess, discussions around this issue are fairly open-ended. Ultimately, the question is not that important – but the strategies that can counteract uncertainty are. The International Business (IB) literature suggests that, in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic global landscape, cultivating business networks is critical to strengthening organizational resilience. By structuring operations and strategies around robust business networks, which include buyers, suppliers, and customers, organizations are less impacted by instabilities, more adapted to geopolitical and economic shifts, and can capitalize on new opportunities. Understanding these networks is crucial for improving strategic foresight and preserving a competitive advantage in an uncertain world.
Economic Geography
While understanding relational ties is important, some argue that the spatial context in which these ties are formed (i.e., cities, countries, or continents) may be just as important. Economic Geography provides the lens to understand the implications of location on organizational performance. Scholars suggest that local-global networks and proximity shape business behaviors, providing both opportunities and challenges.
Network theory is suitable for understanding uncertainty in international business and economic geography. The theory allows us to understand how businesses can adapt to disruptions caused by instabilities or rapid technological changes. Analyzing relational and spatial ties among firms, countries, and industries can inform corporate strategy design and implementation.
The curriculum is structured around international business and economic geography theories, which are applied to the concept of uncertainty. In the initial sessions, students will gain background knowledge on the sources of uncertainty through real-world case studies. Students will be introduced to MNC responses to uncertainty and the ways in which geography shapes these responses. Subsequently, the computer sessions will use analytical tools, allowing students to apply the theory to real-world problems. Students will be able to critically discuss results and provide high-level strategic suggestions for complex corporate challenges. |
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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
Research-like activities
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Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The course will balance lectures and computer sessions. While lectures introduce theoretical background, the computer sessions outline the network analysis techniques and real-world datasets. The sessions are designed to be accessible to students with basic programming knowledge. Students will work on the project throughout the course and will be provided with guidance and feedback. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feedback during the teaching period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Computer sessions will be interactive. Students
will work closely with the lecturer, providing opportunities to
strengthen the students’ understanding of analyses and the course
materials.
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Student workload | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This course is part of the minor in Global Strategy: Connecting Businesses Across Networks |
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Expected literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ahir, H., Bloom, N., Furceri, D., 2022. The World Uncertainty Index (Working Paper No. 29763), Working Paper Series. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w29763
Bloom, N., 2009. The Impact of Uncertainty Shocks. Econometrica 77, 623–685. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA6248
Coe, N.M., Dicken, P., Hess, M., 2008. Global production networks: realizing the potential. Journal of Economic Geography 8, 271–295. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeg/lbn002
Glückler, J., 2007. Economic geography and the evolution of networks. Journal of Economic Geography 7, 619–634. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeg/lbm023
Iurkov, V., Benito, G.R.G., 2020. Change in domestic network centrality, uncertainty, and the foreign divestment decisions of firms. J Int Bus Stud 51, 788–812. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-018-0194-0
Li, S., Tallman, S., 2011. MNC strategies, exogenous shocks, and performance outcomes. Strategic Management Journal 32, 1119–1127. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.918
Lee, S.-H., Song, S., 2012. Host country uncertainty, intra-MNC production shifts, and subsidiary performance. Strategic Management Journal 33, 1331–1340. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.1982
Porter, M.E., 1998. Clusters and the New Economics of Competition. Harvard Business Review.
Taylor, M., Asheim, B., 2001. The Concept of the Firm in Economic Geography. Economic Geography 77, 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-8287.2001.tb00167.x
Computer session
Rawlings, Craig M., Jeffrey A. Smith, James Moody, and Daniel A. McFarland 2023. Network Analysis: Integrating Social Network Theory, Method, and Application with R. New York: Cambridge University Press. (https://inarwhal.github.io/NetworkAnalysisR-book/) |