Course 2016-2017 a.y.

30361 - DOING BUSINESS IN EUROPE


WBB

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
WBB (2 credits - II sem. - OBCUR)
Course Director:
ARNSTEIN AASSVE

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: ARNSTEIN AASSVE



Course Objectives

The European business environment varies substantially from one country to another but also within some countries one can find big differences. This course provides an overview of the various elements of doing business in a continent that has very different institutional and cultural history, and where the social norms in terms of conduct differ tremendously. The first part of the course, taking a sociological perspective, gives an overview of the institutional organization and its differences across the European continent. We then move on how to evaluate the ease of doing business, and we focus here on the OECD ease of doing business index and its components. We then move on the discuss differences in Social norms, culture and corruption, and how it can be analyzed from the European Social Survey (ESS).

Course Content Summary

  • European unity: EC visit & presentation.
  • The ease of doing business index.
  • Culture, attitudes, norms, stereotyping - differences across Europe.
  • Hofstede's approach to measure cultural differences in the workplace across the World.
  • Data and statistical analysis for analysing cultural difference across European societies.Bring your laptop.
  • Cultural Speed dating.
  • Assignment and presentation.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

The assessment will be based on:

1) Attendance/Participation (33%);
2) an assignment (33%);
3) a presentation (33%).

To pass this course you must have attended all sessions, to have produced a 5 page assignment, and to have performed a presentation with your group. The grade for this course is Fail/Pass.
The exam and the project are valid until the end of the academic year.

Textbooks

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Prerequisites

Statistics, Computer skills.
Last change 25/05/2016 17:15