: Introduction to major aspects of business and trade in the context of widening and evolving contacts between the market economies of the West and the transforming economies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The course focuses on the process of European integration and especially on the performance of the new Central and Eastern European member countries of the EU. Economic developments, cross-border relations between East and West, including political and cultural factors, comparative advantages and obstacles for investment will be analyzed as well as the impact of EU membership on these new market economies and transforming societies. The course offers various options for contacts and practical experience through excursions, discussions and guest lectures from experts from business, associations, political institutions and diplomacy.
Prerequisites:
Background in 20th Century European History; Basic Knowledge of Business, Marketing, and Economic Concepts
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Understand the process of economic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe and the costs and benefits of regional integration,
2. Understand the comparative advantages of the different economies for FDI and their trade relations
within the European Union and other parts of the world.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, Excursions, Conferences, Guest lectures, Students` Presentations and Discussion in Class
Required work and form of assessment:
Final grades will be based on a midterm (20%) and a final examination (25%), a term paper (25%), oral presentation and participation (30%). Class attendance is required.
content:
1. Introduction
2. From Plans to Markets: Transformation in Central Europe
3. Eastward Enlargement of the European Union
4. External Economic Policy in the EU – What it means to be a member state
5. Who benefits economically from Eastward enlargement of the European Union?
6. Mid-Term Exam
7. Economic Performance and different paths to EU membership
8. The case of Romania as a future EU member state: Are they ready yet?
9. PR Consulting for investors in Central and Eastern Europe (Hill & Knowlton)
10. Economic Relations with Eastern Europe and Russia
11. The economic situation in Germany and the debate over economic and social reforms
12. Germany and the new EU members: The case of Hungary (Hungarian Embassy)
13. Labour markets, qualification and migration
14. Competitiveness in CEE and European competition policy (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology)
15. International and German Technical and Financial Aid for Investment in CEE
16. The German New Länder in Competition with CEE (Invest in Germany )
17. Transborder Cooperation – The relations between Berlin / Brandenburg and Poland
18. US investors in Germany and CEE (AmCham)
19. Concluding Round-Table
20. Final exam
Required readings:
(assigned selections from journals and textbooks)
Bundesstelle für Außenhandelsinformationen (Hrsg.): Ostmittel- und Osteuropa im Aufholprozess. Berlin: Sammelband 2002ff.
Graf, Rainer, Philip Hauth, and, Ines Hübner. Marktchancen in Mittel- und Osteuropa. Frankfurt/Main: Bearing Point, 2004.
Recommended readings:
Brunner, Georg. Politische und ökonomische Transformation in Osteuropa. Berlin 2000.
„Entwicklung der EU“ Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft. Heft 3, 2004. 117-144. FAZ Länderberichte
Nell, S. and Volker Sach. Förderprogramme und Finanzierungsinstrumente für Mittel-, Ost- und Südosteuropa.
Frankfurt a.M. 2002.
OECD Economic Outlook und European Commission: Progress Reports, 2002ff (europa.eu.int) Quaisser, Wolfgang / Wegner, Manfred: Welche Zukunft hat die EU? Gefahren für die wirtschaftliche Schmidt, Susanne K. Die Folgen der europäischen Integration für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Wandel
durch Verflechtung. MPIfG Discussion Paper 02/4, Köln, Mai 2002.
Business and Trade with Central and Eastern Europe
: Introduction to major aspects of business and trade in the context of widening and evolving contacts between the market economies of the West and the transforming economies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The course focuses on the process of European integration and especially on the performance of the new Central and Eastern European member countries of the EU. Economic developments, cross-border relations between East and West, including political and cultural factors, comparative advantages and obstacles for investment will be analyzed as well as the impact of EU membership on these new market economies and transforming societies. The course offers various options for contacts and practical experience through excursions, discussions and guest lectures from experts from business, associations, political institutions and diplomacy.
Background in 20th Century European History; Basic Knowledge of Business, Marketing, and Economic Concepts
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Understand the process of economic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe and the costs and benefits of regional integration,
2. Understand the comparative advantages of the different economies for FDI and their trade relations
within the European Union and other parts of the world.
Lectures, Excursions, Conferences, Guest lectures, Students` Presentations and Discussion in Class
Final grades will be based on a midterm (20%) and a final examination (25%), a term paper (25%), oral presentation and participation (30%). Class attendance is required.
1. Introduction
2. From Plans to Markets: Transformation in Central Europe
3. Eastward Enlargement of the European Union
4. External Economic Policy in the EU – What it means to be a member state
5. Who benefits economically from Eastward enlargement of the European Union?
6. Mid-Term Exam
7. Economic Performance and different paths to EU membership
8. The case of Romania as a future EU member state: Are they ready yet?
9. PR Consulting for investors in Central and Eastern Europe (Hill & Knowlton)
10. Economic Relations with Eastern Europe and Russia
11. The economic situation in Germany and the debate over economic and social reforms
12. Germany and the new EU members: The case of Hungary (Hungarian Embassy)
13. Labour markets, qualification and migration
14. Competitiveness in CEE and European competition policy (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology)
15. International and German Technical and Financial Aid for Investment in CEE
16. The German New Länder in Competition with CEE (Invest in Germany )
17. Transborder Cooperation – The relations between Berlin / Brandenburg and Poland
18. US investors in Germany and CEE (AmCham)
19. Concluding Round-Table
20. Final exam
(assigned selections from journals and textbooks)
Bundesstelle für Außenhandelsinformationen (Hrsg.): Ostmittel- und Osteuropa im Aufholprozess. Berlin: Sammelband 2002ff.
Graf, Rainer, Philip Hauth, and, Ines Hübner. Marktchancen in Mittel- und Osteuropa. Frankfurt/Main: Bearing Point, 2004.
Brunner, Georg. Politische und ökonomische Transformation in Osteuropa. Berlin 2000.
„Entwicklung der EU“ Internationale Politik und Gesellschaft. Heft 3, 2004. 117-144. FAZ Länderberichte
Nell, S. and Volker Sach. Förderprogramme und Finanzierungsinstrumente für Mittel-, Ost- und Südosteuropa.
Frankfurt a.M. 2002.
OECD Economic Outlook und European Commission: Progress Reports, 2002ff (europa.eu.int) Quaisser, Wolfgang / Wegner, Manfred: Welche Zukunft hat die EU? Gefahren für die wirtschaftliche Schmidt, Susanne K. Die Folgen der europäischen Integration für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland: Wandel
durch Verflechtung. MPIfG Discussion Paper 02/4, Köln, Mai 2002.