Course Syllabus

Semester & Location:	Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:	Malmö and Vienna
Major Disciplines:	Business, Management
Prerequisites:
Faculty Members:	Katarina Hejrskov - katarina.hejrskov@dis.dk or contact via Canvas
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays, 08.30 - 09.50 Classroom: V10-D11

Prerequisites:

A one-year sequence of courses in micro and macroeconomics.  

Course content:

European Business Strategy will be studied primarily through lectures and case-studies of European companies. The focus is on how to analyze and create strategies for selected companies taking the complex environment under which European companies operate into consideration. This focus includes a closer look at:

• the specific business models and strategies of local and global companies operating in these various European contexts;
• business challenges relating specifically Denmark, Sweden and Austria;
• the similarities and differences between European countries in terms of business environment; and finally;
• the business impact of policies and regulations at the EU level, as well as at national level.

As part of this course the students will develop a comprehensive project focusing on a particular European company.  

Faculty 

Katarina Hejrskov (she/her), LLB & Professional Legal Studies (Equivalent of the Danish cand.jur./Masters) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management and Marketing) from the University of Auckland. Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and accredited Mediator & Restorative Justice Facilitator. Founder and Mediator at Heron Mediation. Co-chair of International Summits at the Elder Mediation International Network and Legal Advisor for the Peace Foundation NZ. Expertise in conflict resolution, restorative justice and leadership. External lecturer of law at AUT Auckland. With DIS since 2021.

Learning objectives:

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

• Understand the European business environment using multiple case studies as examples;

• Identify key issues facing European business today, including how European business is influenced by:

  • The Single European Market and EU policies and regulations ;

  • National legislation and structural conditions;

  • Cross-cultural challenges;

• Analyze business models and strategies of European companies as well as their responses to changes in Europe’s evolving business environment;

• Apply critical thinking (pro/con) in analyzing empirical/corporate information;

• Engage in team projects in a constructive, structured and efficient manner;

• Design and deliver a professional, well-structured, persuasive presentation and

• Write a professionally formatted, strategically structured business memorandum.

Reading:

 Summaries of Chapters 1-4: Gabrielle Suder - "Doing Business In Europe" 3rd Edition

Porter: The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy

Porter, “What Is Strategy?”

A variety of contemporary articles and research from, for example, the Economist and the Financial Times.

Course overview:

• Final project: The main case project for this course is based on companies visited in Denmark, Sweden or Austria. The purpose of the project is to address some of the challenges for the company and to suggest possible strategic recommendations. The details of the project will be disclosed in class.

• Study Tour: On our study tours to Malmö and Austria, we will visit companies and analyze their specific business cases. Also we will use the study tours to collect relevant data for your final project.

• Class room sessions: In class we will focus on establishing a common theoretical framework that we will use to analyze European industries and business cases. Also we will study the European business environment in more depth. This includes the EU integration process, EU policy areas, and national private sector policies. This information serves as a basis for understanding the conditions that European businesses operate under. In class we will also have student presentations of different companies and topics, and workshops where you can work on the final project, and practice your presentation skills.  

Grade Components:

Midterm Exam is a closed-book exam held during class time. The exam will assess your understanding of the European business environment and in analyzing and making strategies for European companies. The midterm exam is worth 30% toward the final grade.

Discussion thread submissions. You must post/write comments in accordance with your instructor’s requirements. This could be a question, a response to a discussion, a link to an article including an entry, feedback from field studies or guest speakers, sharing ideas and topics in relation to the readings, or other resources on the theme of the course. The aim is for this to be a quick and easy way for us to build a class resource for sharing information and inspiring one another. Prior to most classes, you have to post at least one comment and/or one question that can be discussed in class. These will count towards 20% of the final grade.

Final project. The purpose is to uncover the challenges and to propose strategic recommendations as well as ideas and plans for implementation. This assignment is worth a total of 30% towards the final grade.

Engagement: This class requires a high level of motivation and active participation in class and during the study tours. Attendance is mandatory. The following is expected from students:

• Active and voluntary participation in class discussions

• Having prepared properly for every class

• Being able to address the readings critically during class, thus displaying a good understanding of the subject matter

• Being analytical and concise in oral interventions.

• Being able to collaborate well with your assigned team and delivering elaborate and analytical papers and presentations.

If you are unable to attend class, you must notify your instructor in advance. We allow computers and smart phones in class PURELY for note-taking purposes. In case of other uses such as Facebook, e-mails or internet surfing, it will have a negative impact on your engagement grade. Engagement is worth 20% toward the final grade.

 

Grading Elements:				Grading Scheme:
				Points	Grade
Engagement (in class and study tours)		= 20 points		100 – 93	A
Written Exam		= 30 points		<93 – 90	A-
Discussion thread Submissions		= 20 points		<90 – 87	B+
Final Presentations		= 30 points		<87 – 83	B
Total		= 100 points		<83 – 80	B-
				<80 – 77	C+
				<77 – 73	C
				<73 – 70	C-
				<70 – 67	D+
				<67 – 63	D
				<63 – 60	D-
				<60	F

Course Policies:

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment - DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final  course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS

reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Attendance – You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow up with you to make sure that all is well.  Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness.

Specifically:

 - An unexcused absence is any absence not due to illness AND not notified to the instructor in advance of class, unless specifically agreed otherwise with the instructor in advance.

 - A late arrival is any case where you are not ready to start class at the designated time (i.e. coming through the door at start time will count as a late arrival).

Your participation grade will be docked 10% for two unexcused absences and 10% for each additional unexcused absence. Your participation grade will be docked 5% for 3 late arrivals, and an additional 5% for each subsequent late arrival.

AI

Although AI tools are valuable, they should support human creativity and critical thinking, not replace them. Therefore, the use of AI tools like ChatGPT is permitted within defined contexts if you include proper attribution. Usage outside of the predefined contexts and without attribution will be considered a breach of our Academic Honesty Policy. 

Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

 DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

Schedule: Schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible.

Class Policy on Audio and Video Taping and Distribution: Any audio or video recordings produced during this class, as well as any recordings posted to online class sites such as Canvas, may not be exchanged or distributed for commercial purposes, for compensation, for posting on social media sites, or be used for any other purpose other than for study by students enrolled in this class. In addition, distribution or sharing of course materials (including instructor PowerPoint slides) may constitute copyright infringement.