Master
2020/2021
Political Aspects of International Business
Type:
Elective course (Master of International Business)
Area of studies:
Management
Delivered by:
Магистерская программа "Международный бизнес", направление подготовки "Менеджмент"
When:
2 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Master’s programme:
International Business
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course consists of three main groups of issues. They concern governmental policies towards private business; the influence that private business may exert on governmental policies; and the art to adopt your business strategy and behavior to existing and changing political and legal frameworks. The first part of the course shows how state authorities use wide spectrum of instruments they have at their disposal in twofold purposes. One of them is to make national economy more dynamic and viable seeking at the same time social peace and higher standards of life. Another one consists of protecting and promoting private business interests on national and international scale. The second part of the course helps students to understand how multilevel governments are exercised, political and legal decisions are prepared and approved. On the example of numerous case-studies it is explained in what way interdependence between mass-media, associations of businessmen, trade unions, local, national and supranational authorities could be used for the benefit of launching small and large scale infrastructural, industrial and service-oriented projects. It is explained to the students that even in that cases when state authorities take decisions violating their rights and interests they may, nevertheless, withstand the political pressure, protect and develop their businesses. The third part analyses how to reach high competitiveness using peculiarities of political and legal framework and relationship between state authorities and civil society. It is important to know what the rules of the game are today, how they will be shaped tomorrow and how to change behavior and strategy in accordance with evolving patterns. These topics are discussed with students on the basis of practical case-studies explained by Russian and foreign CEOs.
Learning Objectives
- to persuade future businessmen and managers that their company’s relationship with state authorities, NGOs and civil society should be treated as one of the key elements of their strategic planning
- to persuade future businessmen and managers that they should construe this relationship in a positive way because their social partners are interested in economic growth, better life conditions and greater amount of taxes
- Students will learn that in majority of cases described in the course state authorities create political and legal framework to protect and promote private business’ interests
- Students will study how to influence legal developments in the way compatible with their views and perceptions
- Students will learn that competition and anti-trust law is there to protect them from unfair treatment.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- make a systematic analysis of different business strategies, including estimation of legal and mass-media strategies
- explain some of the reasons why marketing strategies can succeed or fail according to the conditions in different countries
- list and define the types of political risk involved in establishing a business in another country
- estimate fair risks and opportunities for starting-up a business in modern Russia
- analyze the legal basics of promoting business interests in public sphere
- analyze the options for dealing with risk in an international project or business
Course Contents
- Public Authorities and Private Business: interdependence, instruments for mutual influence
- Private Business in lobbying and providing necessary legal decision
- Private Business and State Authorities in interaction with social groups and networks: struggling of interests, promoting results
- Starting-up the new Business: different approaches in different countries
- Political and legal aspects of foreign business activity in modern Russia
- Special Guest Lecture for the year: “Guardian” (industrial glass production), the Head of Guardian Russia
- Special Guest Lecture for the year: “Allen and Overy” (legal supporting of business start-up abroad), Partner of Allen & Overy Russia
- Special Guest Lecture for the year: “Gazprom Export”, Communications Director
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Golo, J. (2015). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. Economic Horizons / Ekonomski Horizonti, 17(1), 71–73. https://doi.org/10.5937/ekonhor1501073G
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Zhuplev, A. (2017). Doing Business in Russia, Volume I : A Concise Guide (Vol. First edition). New York, NY: Business Expert Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1239087
- Zhuplev, A. (2017). Doing Business in Russia, Volume II : A Concise Guide (Vol. First edition). New York, New York [222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017]: Business Expert Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1445439