A78616 International business economics

At the end of the course the student will be able:

1. to comment intelligently, using logical arguments on global economic events and trends;
2. to assess  the macro-attractiveness of a country as a location for production and/or a market for products;
3. to adapt  a company strategy to changes in trade policies;
4. to  work in team  and organize a public presentation

At the end of the course the student will be able:

1. to comment intelligently, using logical arguments on global economic events and trends;
2. to assess  the macro-attractiveness of a country as a location for production and/or a market for products;
3. to adapt  a company strategy to changes in trade policies;
4. to  work in team  and organize a public presentation

International trade and production  is about location advantages and the specialization in production, thus exploiting country differences in productivity, factor endowment, and production scale. The course analyses the determinants and consequences of the increasing international integration of markets. It focuses on the gains and losses of liberalizing versus protectionist policies as key information to understand the economic dimension of the current debate on globalization. It  highlights the distinction between the efficiency and the equity effects of trade policy. Such distinction is crucial to comprehend the political economy of international trade policy with its drive towards multilateral trade agreements on the one side, and the resistance to them by various pressure groups on the other side.

The course is organized around the following set of questions (see detailed syllabus):

- What are the causes of international trade in goods?

- What are the determinants of the value chain international  fragmentation?

- What are the gains from trade?

- Which role for national governments in the international arena?

- Which role for supranational organizations ?

This is a partially active-learning course. Most of the course is based on lectures held by the instructors during the whole semester. However, students are asked to participate actively via two class presentations. More precisely, students should form 3/4 member groups. Each group should find a nickname. Members should stick to their groups throughout the course. The tasks each group is charged with is to make two class presentations on international economics/business topics found in a newspaper/magazine article.

In your own interest and of your colleagues, please strictly observe the following courtesy rules:

1. Arrive in class on time; do not leave early without prior explicit instructor’s approval
2. Keep your mobiles off; do not chat with your classmates
3. Laptops are allowed only for taking notes
4. Do not wander in and out of the classroom
5. Hand in assignments (if any) on time. No late submissions are allowed.
6. You are expected to be honest in your academic work. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be rigorously prosecuted.

For attending students evaluation is based on:
class presentation (15% of final mark)
peer evaluation (10% of final mark)
written exam (75% of final mark)

Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact the instructor.

Non-Attending Students: please contact the instructor