Introduction to Business in Asia

All terms (ongoing until end of 2026)

C - Shanghai Pudong 3 2006 Lauri Paltemaa

The course will run uninterrupted until December 2026.

Schedule for students from the University of Turku and students accepted to the course through the application process of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies.

Spring term 2025:

  • Introduction to Business in Asia: January 7 – April 6, 2025
  • Introduction to Business in Asia – country study: February 24 – April 27, 2025.

Summer term 2025: Introduction to Business in Asia (3 ECTS)

    • application period: 24.3 – 20.4.2025
    • Study period: 26.5.- 31.7.2025

Level: Basic

Language: English

Amount of credits: 3 cr + 2 cr

Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku / University Network for Asian Studies

Contact person: University lecturer Outi Luova, University of Turku

Goals: This course provides you with basic information about business in this macro-region. You will learn to identify and understand key issues related to the Asian business environment.

Content: Asia is rapidly emerging as a critical hub for global business, driven by its economic growth, technological innovation, and vast consumer markets. Understanding the region’s diverse and dynamic landscapes is essential for navigating the complexities of business. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools to engage effectively with Asia’s opportunities and challenges.

The course covers three major regions in Asia —East, South, and Southeast Asia. It begins with an overview of Asia’s defining characteristics. The following five modules introduce the business environments of six key Asian countries, offering insights into the economic and socio-political contexts that shape business activities. Each module also examines critical trends influencing the business environment. By the end of the course, you will have a nuanced understanding of Asia’s growing significance and its implications for global business.
The course consists of six modules. Modules 2–6 focus on specific countries as well as key regional issues. 
 
1. Introduction to the Region
2. Japan, South Korea; Impact of Aging Society
3. Vietnam; ASEAN, and Supply Chains
4. Indonesia; Sustainable Business
5. China; Climate Change and Green Transition
6. India; Regional Disparities 

Taken as:

The course consists of two parts. If you are planning to complete the Asian Programme or a Mini Minor, you should take both parts of the course (3 + 2 credits).

  1. MOOC course: Introduction to Business in Asia (3 credits), January 7 – April 6, 2025 and May 26 – July 31, 2025

This course is free and available for everyone.

You can register independently for this course on the DigiCampus page without the application process. See details below.

Students take the course independently in the DigiCampus learning environment during the course period. Different online assignments such as quizzes, summaries, and discussion tasks support the students’ learning process.

Students can complete the coursework according to their own schedule during the course period. Additionally, there will be some exercises given in February that need to be completed within that month.

Grading: pass / fail

If you are accepted into this course through the application process of the Asia Network you will get study credits once you have completed the course successfully.

If you register for the course independently, you will get a certificate of completion from the DigiCampus platform. In this case, if you want to receive study credits, check with your university/polytechnic in advance whether they approve this course for your study programme.

2. Country study (2 credits), February 24 – April 27, 2025.

This course is available for the students of the member universities of the Asia Network, and self-funding students of the Asia Network. It has a maximum intake of 50 students.

This course complements the 3-credit introductory course. Only students who are enrolled for the introductory course, or have previously taken the course are eligible to apply for this course.

In this course, students can deepen their knowledge and get acquainted with the business environment of one country.

Students
1) Read background materials,
2) write short texts and participate in group discussions, and
3) write a short country study (ca. 1500 words).

Grading: 1-5

The course is arranged in the DigiCampus learning platform. When the course starts, the course teacher will send the link and the key to the course page to all participants.

 

Application for the courses:

You can take the 3-credit course Introduction to Business in Asia without a separate application. In that case, you will not receive study credits, but only a course certificate. To register independently,  sign up on this DigiCampus page using your Google password or your HAKA credentials (students from Finnish universities or polytechnics). You can see the registration times on the DigiCampus website.

Students who are accepted to the courses through the application process of the Asia Network receive study credits once they have completed the courses with passing grades. More information about the time and application process is available in the application instructions.

Certificate and course credits

All students who complete the required course tasks successfully can print a certificate of completion on the DigiCampus platform.

Students who are accepted into this course through the Asia Network application process, and successfully complete the coursework, get study credits. The credits are recorded in the Peppi Credit Registry at the University of Turku. The students are responsible for transferring the credits to their own university/department. For detailed instructions, read the Study Guide.

Asia Network does not provide study credits to other students. If you want to get study credits from this course, check in advance with your university/polytechnic if they give credits for the MOOC certificate.

Note! This course replaces the old Business in East and Southeast Asia online course. If you have already completed the old version with study credits, you cannot include the new MOOC version in your degree as a new course with new credits. However, if you still want to take this course out of interest, you can do so and receive the MOOC certificate from DigiCampus after completion. In that case, register for the course directly through the DigiCampus course site.

If you are doing the Asian Programme Minor, you can include this course in the minor as one of the basic level courses, as long as you haven’t completed the old equivalent course earlier.

 

Student voices:

“I’m focusing on international business in my studies and taking up Chinese in my foreign language studies. This will definitely be an asset for my future work.”

“Thank you for a valuable course – it gave me much insight into economic and geopolitical changes in Asia!”

“I liked that I learned a lot not only about different Asian business environments but also about international business as a whole.  Independent study style was great because it made it possible for me to complete the tasks according to my own schedules.”

 

Photo: Lauri Paltemaa, Asianet Material Bank