English   Danish

2026/2027  MA-MMBAV2601U  Strategy & Geopolitics

English Title
Strategy & Geopolitics

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Part Time Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Master of Business Administration
Programme Master of Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Michael Mol - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • International political economy
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 22-06-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
In today’s world characterised by high geopolitical uncertainty, operating across borders successfully has become more difficult than ever. During this course you will be provided the tools for successfully managing cross-border businesses in environments that are highly competitive and full of technological and institutional change.

After taking this course, students should be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate understanding of the key issues in and perspectives on global strategy
  • 2. Devise and implement strategies for operating global firms in complex environments
  • 3. Understand the challenges global firms face in a changing geopolitical context and create solutions for handling those challenges.
Examination
Strategy & Geopolitics:
Exam ECTS 5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Synopsis
Release of assignment An assigned subject is released in class
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Autumn and Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam Home assignment - written product
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.
Description of the exam procedure

Oral exam. In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam, by the set deadline.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Gain the insights and skills you need to thrive globally in a fast‑changing landscape shaped by fierce competition, rapid technological change, and rising geopolitical uncertainty. This course empowers you to craft effective international strategies and confidently navigate organizational and geopolitical complexities.

 

A solid understanding of how to manage across borders has always been important to managers and entrepreneurs, particularly in a small, open economy like Denmark. Learning how to create and implement international trade and foreign direct investment strategies, and how best to manage the organizational complexities they produce, is therefore crucial.  But while these decision-makers have for many years been able to operate in a relatively benign and predictable world, this is now increasingly being called into question by a range of developments. These include increasingly competitive markets and rapid technological changes but also a geopolitical context that is becoming more uncertain and seemingly hostile towards firms that operate across borders. Against this background, this course seeks to provide learners with novel insights and skills to manage global strategy and geopolitics.

 

Key themes in the course:

  1. Multinationals, trade and foreign direct investment
  2. The role of formal and informal institutions
  3. Strategies of global firms
  4. Understanding geopolitical changes
  5. The internal organisation of global firms
  6. Geopolitics and foreign direct investment
  7. Geopolitics and supply chains
  8. Geopolitics and technology
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
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The course is set up to provide a highly interactive approach to learning that will suit a variety of learners.
The pedagogical tools include:
- Lecture elements to bring across key concepts and frameworks rooted in academic research;
- Case discussions to discuss solutions to real world problems;
- Games and quizzes to engage learners on the course content;
- Readings, videos and other learning materials to help deepen the learning;
- Guest speakers to provide illustrations of ongoing challenges and practices.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback:
Feedback is given to the students together with the grade when written and oral exams have been evaluated.

Evaluation:
We ask you to evaluate the overall course. We evaluate every course and faculty in order to secure and strengthen the professional level of the offered course.
Student workload
Lectures 30 hours
Preparation 77,5 hours
Exam 30 hours
Last updated on 22-06-2026