This course deals with issues companies face today when doing business in the economies of Central Europe. The course is designed as a project course. Students will be allocated into 10 groups and will be given a business challenge related to International Business in CE (exact details to be communicated in the first lecture). Group allocation will be done in advance, ensuring a mix of students from the three universities. Furthermore, the course will contain coaching sessions for the group project, input sessions, and a discussion on current topics in CE.

Tentative schedule:

Online Phase:

• Lecture 1: Course introduction / Project introduction / Input
• Lecture 2: First coaching session (group-specific slots)
• Lecture 3: Skill Workshop
• Lecture 4: Second coaching session (group-specific slots)

WU Week (in person):

• Lecture 5:  Content Session
• Lecture 6: Current topics/research/developments in CE (Debate); Reflection & Wrap-up
• Lecture 7: Final Presentation

After completing this project students will have

• gained insights into what current issues foreign companies are confronted with when operating in Central European markets
• developed an understanding of the business environment in CE
• learned how to analyze and structure real-life management situations in a global context (particularly CE)
• combined and applied several theoretical concepts to the international management challenge
• received feedback and improved their presentation and project management skills

Students will have the ability to

• develop critical thinking and defend their developed arguments
• organize teamwork including presentation skills
• present and "sell" their solutions in a professional way, through presentation skills and support of suitable media

Presence is mandatory. To pass the course you are not allowed to miss more than 20% of total class time (applies to both online and in-person classes).

Classes will be interactive. The course will be taught in a blended format (lectures are partly online and in-person). The principle teaching methods used will be lectures, group presentations, discussions, and guest lectures.

The course grade will be determined as follows:

40% Final Presentation

20% Status-Update in Coaching Sessions 

30% Participation in Sessions

10% Individual Peer Rating

As a basic principle, all members of a group receive one grade for the group work. I expect that each group member contributes equally to the project work. The peer-rating is included in the assessment of the individual performance.

Grading scheme: <60% =5; 60-69%=4; 70-79%=3; 80-89%=2; 90-100%=1.

Only students admitted to the Central Europe Connect (CEC) track of the SBWL International Business are eligible to take this course. Excellent command of the English language is required.

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