Business strategies in the Asian emerging economies, 6 credits

Organizer: Helsinki School of Economics

Responsible teacher: Dr. Erja Kettunen-Matilainen

Time and Venue: Course will be organized from 10th March to 25th April 2010 trough an e-learning platform Moodle.

Goals: The aim of the course is to develop the students' understanding of the Asian emerging economies, especially related to the operations of foreign enterprises and their business strategies in the transforming Asian economies.

Contents: Particular attention is given to institutional changes that have taken place in China, India, Taiwan, and the ASEAN countries, and their implications to foreign businesses. Based on the objectives of the course, the course covers the following themes: formal and informal institutions in the Asian emerging economies, changing business environments, challenges in the management of foreign business operations, and foreign companies’ perceptions of regional economic integration in emerging Asia. Enterprise strategies are discussed in order to provide the students with understanding of the complexities of the Asian business environments. Examples are given as regards foreign companies’ relations with the public sector, labour force, and other companies.

Target group: The students of the Network member universities are eligible to apply. The course is targeted to Master’s level students in social sciences. In order to successfully complete the course, the students should have carried out previous studies in Asian business/economy.

Taken as: The course will take seven weeks to complete during spring 2010, and it includes online lectures, course readings, assignments, an essay, and opponent duty.

There is no exam on the course. Based on the web lectures and course materials, the students are required to complete an assignment, essay, and opponent duty. The assignment counts for 20 %, essay for 50 %, and opponent duty for 30 % of the final grade. Feedback to students is provided via the teaching platform and/or by e-mail.

Grading: on a scale of 1-5

Application for the course: A maximum of 40 students will be accepted to the course. Apply by 9 March through online application form LINK>>>

Before enrolling on the course the students should check with their own home department that this course can be accepted as part of their degree in their own university.