International corporations and their business networks

Syllabus

Basic information

Field of study*
International Economic Relations
Specialisation
International Business
Department
UEP
Level of qualification
Second-cycle programme
Mode of study
Full-time
Track
General academic
Didactic cycle
2019/2020
Subject code
UEPMSG03S.24C.11536.19
Language of instruction
English
Mandatory
Elective
Block
Block C
Person responsible for the content of the syllabus
Milena Ratajczak-Mrozek
Period
Semester 3
Method of evaluation
Assessment

Activities and hours
  • Participation in lectures: 30
Number of ECTS points
3

Subject’s educational aims

C1 To present the contemporary forms of companies cooperation in international context
C2 To show the main assumptions of the concept of business network
C3 To identify the process of the network analysis within company's international activity
C4 To recognize the strategic decisions taken by the company in the context of the activities within the business network in the international market
C5 To assess the benefits and threats resulting from the business activities in the international business network

Subject's learning outcomes

Code Outcomes in terms of Effects Examination methods
Knowledge
W1 Student has the knowledge about selected network structures K2_W06, K2_W11, K2_W14, K2_W15 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
W2 Student has knowledge about methods of business network analysis K2_W08 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
W3 Student has knowledge about the processes of strategic decisions regarding network structures K2_W03, K2_W06, K2_W14 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
W4 Student has knowledge about the process of developing a competitive advantage in the context of the business network K2_W03, K2_W14, K2_W15 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
Skills
U1 Student has the ability to use theoretical knowledge on the business network for the analysis of network structures and relationships of the real companies K2_U01, K2_U02, K2_U03 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
U2 Student has the ability to see relations, interactions between companies in the context of their international activities K2_U01, K2_U03, K2_U04, K2_U07, K2_U08 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
U3 Student has the ability to identify the causes of competitive advantage in the context of the business network K2_U01, K2_U02, K2_U04, K2_U05, K2_U07, K2_U08 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
U4 Student has the ability to analyze international business network K2_U01, K2_U02, K2_U03, K2_U04 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
Social competences
K1 Student has the competence to present and argue his/her own views K2_U18 Final quiz, Report, Class participation, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
K2 Student is able to express own judgments on important issues concerning the relation between business and the business environment K2_U18 Final quiz, Class participation, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
K3 Student is able to work in a team, to carry out joint projects and is prepared to actively participate in the group K2_U17, K2_U18, K2_K03 Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation
K4 Student is able to communicate with the international environment K2_U18 Final quiz, Report, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation

Study content

No. Course content Subject's educational goals Subject's learning outcomes
1. The essence of network relationships, business networks and network approach C1, C2 W1, U1, U2
2. Social networks, social networks analysis C2, C3, C4 W1, W2, U3
3. The essence and types of local and international business networks C1 W1, U1, U2
4. The network model of internationalisation C1, C2 W1, W3, U2
5. The analysis of business network C3 W2, U1, U2, U3, U4, K1, K2, K3, K4
6. Impact of business network and cooperation on companies' competitive advantage in foreign markets - benefits and risks and coopetition C2, C4, C5 W1, W3, W4, U1, U2, U3
7. Keitersu,Guanxi, Hegu, Chaebol, Maquiladoras C1 U1, U2, K2, K3, K4
8. Network organisations, MLM C1, C4, C5 W1, W3, U1, U2, K1, K2
9. International corporate networks: MNCs, strategic alliances C1 W1, U1, U2, K1, K2, K3, K4
10. R&D networks, project networks C1, C4 W1, W3, U1, U2
11. Strategy and strategic decisions of companies within international business networks C4, C5 W3, W4, U1, U2, U3
12. Presentation of the projects prepared by students - analysis of business networks and network structures C3, C4, C5 W1, W2, W3, W4, U1, U2, U3, U4, K1, K2, K3, K4

Bibliography

Obligatory
  1. M. Ratajczak-Mrozek, Business Networks and Cooperation Within the Supply Chain as a Determinant of Growth and Competitiveness, „The European Financial Review”, April/May 2013, pp.30-33
  2. The development of business networks in the company internationalisation process, ed. K. Fonfara, Poznań University of Economics Press, Poznań 2012
  3. E. Todeva, Business Networks. Strategy and Structure, Routledge, 2006

Course advanced

Teaching methods:

Conversation lecture, Lecture with multimedia presentation, Case study

Teaching methods Method of evaluation Credit conditions
Lectures Final quiz, Report, Class participation, Group project / Group work, Research, Presentation, Two possibilities: - final exam - or preparation of individual detailed project and presentation

Calculation of ECTS points

Activity form Activity hours*
Report preparation 10
Participation in lectures 30
Literature research 5
Preparation for exam 15
Empirical research 15
Consultations with teacher 5
Preparation of multimedia presentation 5
Student workload
Hours
85
ECTS
3.0
Workload involving teacher
Hours
35
ECTS
1.0
Practical workload
Hours
25
ECTS
1.0

* one hour of classes = 45 minutes