3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 8020288GNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (G) Postgraduate - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
ES Academische eenheid
Educational team
Tom Vermeiren (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
15 contact hours Lecture
Course Content

Content

Global business expansions take form in various forms such as International Alliances, Foreign Direct Investments and Mergers & Acquisitions.

This course deals with business alliances in an international context. Practical frameworks are introduced to understand the challenges and value derived from International Alliances (IA’s).

Structure of the course:

Part 1: Exploring IA’s – Develop a typology for IA’s, discover examples and key characteristics

Part 2: Purpose of IA’s – Understand the intrinsic value in terms of upward cash flow potential and risk

Part 3: IA’s forming the basis of Global Supply Chains, Networks & Platforms

Part 4: International expansion by IA’s

Part 5: The IA process: Partner selection, Cultural fit, Valuation, Negotiations, Governance & control

Complementary to the lectures, students further acquaint themselves with the study topic through short homework assignments and self-study material.

The course includes a mix of lectures and self-study. Individual insights from self-study are further explored in class.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Powerpoint-syllabus, checklists and contract examples
Additional info

Study material

  • Powerpoint slide deck (manual)
  • Self study materials
Learning Outcomes

General Competences

Learning objectives


Main objective is to understand the challenges and value derived from IA’s. The course broadens the practical understanding of how businesses can expand globally through strategic alliances and sharpens the critical mindset in this field.
 

By the end of the course, the participants should be able to:
 

• use frameworks for designing, structuring and managing international alliances
• understand strategies and structures of alliances
• master the process of creating international alliances
• avoid the pitfalls, know the success factors
 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 75% of the final mark.
Other determines 25% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • written exam with a relative weight of 75 which comprises 75% of the final mark.

Within the Other category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Case study presented in groups with a relative weight of 25 which comprises 25% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:

·       Written Exam determines 75% of the final mark

·       Case study presented in groups which determines 25% of the final mark

Students obtain extra marks based on class participation.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Postgraduate Certificate International Trade and Investment: Standaard traject
Postgraduate Certificate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business: Standaard traject