MAN-MEC051
International Business and Trade
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleMAN-MEC051
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Nijmegen School of Management; Master Economics;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
prof. dr. A.A.J. van Hoorn
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
prof. dr. A.A.J. van Hoorn
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
prof. dr. A.A.J. van Hoorn
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. A.A.J. van Hoorn
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. A. de Vaal
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2022
Period
2  (07/11/2022 to 29/01/2023)
Starting block
2
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
The course has the following learning objectives:
LO1.    Describe and explain the working of the international trading system (WTO and preferential trade);
LO2.    Discuss and explain the effects of (changes in) trade policy on production by and profitability of internationally operating firms;
LO3.    Describe and explain the different theoretical logics underlying the internationalization of business activities;
LO4.    Describe and explain the different modalities for the internationalization of business activities (e.g., trade/export or ownership);
LO5.    Explain the relationship between external factors and the choice for specific forms of the internationalization of business activities.
Content
This course is about multinational enterprises (MNEs) as key actors in the globalization of economic activities. We consider the MNE from three different perspectives. The first perspective considers MNEs as actors embedded in and affected by a supranational context of formal rules and regulations, particularly trade agreements and country-specific policies on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). The second perspective zooms in on the MNE itself as a phenomenon to be explained. Why do some firms decide to start operations abroad and is FDI always the best way for firms to benefit from resource and market opportunities available outside of their home country? The third perspective considers the MNE as the key player in a network of inter-organizational alliances, both at home and abroad. What are internal and external triggers that lead firms to opt for an alliance as an internationalization tool? And how does a firm’s involvement in global alliance networks impact its performance? Part of the course involves an empirical project in which students analyze MNEs and their different modes of operation.
 
Level

Presumed foreknowledge
Students that do not have a prior degree in (international) economics are recommended to brush up their knowledge on basic international economics, e.g., the welfare effects of tariffs.
Test information
Written exam and team-based presentations; Partial results from previous years stay valid.
Specifics
The course includes the following topics:
World trade and the international trading system
Firms and international trade
The why of different forms of border-crossing business activities
The how of foreign direct investment
Level
Ma1

Required materials
Articles
Academic articles and book chapters, all of which can be found through standard search engines. Examples are: - Baldwin, Richard (2016), “The World Trade Organization and the Future of Multilateralism”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(1), 95–116. - Bagwell, Kyle, Chad P. Bown and Robert W. Staiger (2016): “The world trading system: An overview”, Section 2 in: Is the WTO Passé?, Journal of Economic Literature, 54(4), 1128-1140. - Melitz, Marc J. and Daniel Trefler (2012), “Gains from Trade when Firms Matter”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26 (2), 91–118. - Dunning, J. H. (2000). The eclectic paradigm as an envelope for economic and business theories of MNE activity. International business review, 9(2), 163-190. - Brouthers, K. D., & Hennart, J. F. (2007). Boundaries of the firm: Insights from international entry mode research. Journal of management, 33(3), 395-425.
Costs:0.00

Instructional modes
Lecture

General
Students are expected to actively participate in the course. Presentations are part of this course.

Tutorial

General
Students are expected to actively participate in the course. Presentations are part of this course

Tests
Exam
Test weight85
Test typeDigital exam with CIRRUS
OpportunitiesBlock 2, Block 3

Assessment
The written exam covers all course materials, including topics that are in the assigned literature but not explicitly discussed in class. Students are recommended to follow the hints on how to read an academic paper provided on Brightspace. Written exam and team-based presentations. Partial results from previous years stay valid. The written exam comprises open questions but some multiple choice questions are also possible.

Team presentations (2x7.5%)
Test weight15
Test typeAssignment
OpportunitiesBlock 2