This non-degree study programme is constructed keeping in mind the special needs of companies working in the changing markets of Eastern Europe. The studies cover East-West business in the fields of marketing, management, accounting and finance, and business law. In addition, study trips to North-West Russia or the Baltic countries have been organised each year. The courses are mainly offered in the spring semester, from January to May. East-West Business Studies are one of the most comprehensive university studies in Europe aiming to educate future managers to work in business enterprises operating in Eastern Europe.
Organisers
EWBS is jointly offered by the Department of Marketing, Department Accounting and Finance and Department of Business Law. Faculty members from foreign universities (e.g. Russia, Estonia, Austria) are also frequently invited to give lectures in the East-West Business Studies.
Courses 2011-2012
- Business Operations in Eastern Europe, 5 ECTS
- Marketing Strategies and Management in Central and Eastern Europe, 5 ECTS
- Legal Foundations of the Russian Economy, 6 ECTS
- Investments and Financein Russia, 5 ECTS
- Seminar in East-West Business, 8 ECTS
- Survival Russian, 2 ECTS
- Excursion to Russia, 2 ECTS
Course Descriptions 2011-2012
MARK2027 Business Operations in Eastern Europe
Credit units: 5 ECTS
Time: Spring, Period 3
Content: 1) dimensions of transition 2) the structure and changing nature of East-West business 3) entry strategies 4) national and business cultures and 5) logistical aspects.
Learning outcomes:By the end of this course students should be able to identify and analyze the key characteristics of the operation environment in emerging markets in Eastern Europe (especially in Russia, CIS and the Baltic states) as well as plan and manage entry strategies for these markets. The course will also support the development of student's skills in the areas of synthesis of data, problem solving and critical thinking.
Teaching: Lectures and group assignment
Assessment: Exam, group assignment.
Literature:
- Transition report 201008 by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Selected parts.
- Cavusgil, S.T., P.N. Ghauri, M.R. Agarwal: Doing Business in Emerging Markets. Entry and Negotiations Strategies. Sage Publications 2002. Selected parts.
- Reading package
Prerequisites: Export Marketing or Vientimarkkinointi. International Business Operation Modes is recommended.
Rating: -1-5 / failed
Contact person: Jorma Larimo/Markku Heiskanen
MARK2018 Marketing Strategies and Management in Central and Eastern Europe
Credit units: 5 ECTS
Time: Spring, Period 3.
Content: 1) CEE seen from a Western management perspective, 2) motives for a presence in CEE, 3) patterns of market entry and market penetration, 4) developing marketing strategies for CEE, 5) strategic options of local firms, and 6) organizing marketing activities in CEE.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this course students should be able to identify the key issues related to the marketing environment and apply that knowledge in planning and management of marketing strategies and management in Central Eastern Europe. The course will also support the development of student’s skills in the areas of synthesis of data, problem solving and presentation.
Teaching: Lecturers and group work.
Assessment: Exam, Group work.
Literature:
- Reading package.
Prerequisites: Export Marketing or Vientimarkkinointi. International Business Operation Modes is recommended.
Rating:1-5 / failed -
Contact person: Jorma Larimo / Markku Heiskanen.
TOIK2032 Legal Foundations of the Russian Economy
Credit Units: 6 ECTS
Time: Spring Semester 2012.
Content: The constitutional system of Russian Federation, company law and the law of contracts in Russian Federation, Russian foreign trade legislation, Russian accession to World Trade Organization.
Learning outcomes: The course introduces student the legal foundations of Russian economic system. Student becames aware of the interaction between Russian political, economic and legal system and its impact on Russian society. Student is familiar with the basics of Russian business law, as well as the legal system of Russian foreign trade in the context of Russian integration into the world economy.
Teaching: Lectures 20 h.
Assessment: Examination.
Literature:
- Tolonen & Topornin (ed.) (2000) Legal Foundations of Russian Economy. Helsinki: Aleksanteri Institute.
- Nystén-Haarala, Soili (2001). Russian Law in Transition. Helsinki: Aleksanteri Institute. Chapters 2 (Russian Property Rights in Transition, pp. 127–212) and 3 (Russian Enterprises and Company Law in Transition, pp. 213–276). Articles are also available at the Internet site of International Institute for Applied System Analysis: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/PUB/Documents/IR-01-006.pdf and http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/PUB/Documents/IR-01-005.pdf.
- Other literature will be specified by the lecturer in the beginning of the lectures.
Contact person: Mika Kärkkäinen.
LASK3003 Investments and Finance in Russia
Credit Units: 5 ECTS
Time: Spring semester.
Content: Russian securities and derivatives markets: foundation of the market, reforms of the 1990s, financial crisis of 1998, current situation on the Russian securities market, its legal regulation, problems and perspectives. Banking in Russia: banking system’s formation in the early 1990s, Central Bank of Russia, its role and structure, commercial banking and last tendencies in the field. Russian accounting and taxation systems: present state of accounting system and its legal regulation, tax legislation in Russia, types of taxes and estimation examples of payable tax amounts. Direct and portfolio foreign investments in Russia: forms and methods of foreign investments to Russia, legal, tax, and riskiness peculiarities in foreign investments.
Learning outcomes: The course provides firm knowledge and understanding of the Russian financial market. Students will be able to describe the period of formation of the Russian market economy with accent on the stock market, banking sector, and accounting and taxation systems. Further, the course leads to inner look at the current situation on the Russian financial market. By the end of the course participants should be also familiar with the ways and forms of making foreign investments to Russia, including the most important features in the Russian financial legislation. Besides, lectures contribute to the development of analytical and conceptual skills of students.
Teaching: Lectures 20 h.
Assessment: Exam.
Literature: Materials provided by the lecturer.
Prerequisites: Participants are assumed to have basic knowledge in corporate finance, accounting and investments theory.
Rating: 1-5 or fail
Contact person: M.Sc. Denis Davydov (teacher: Professor Ivan Darushin)
MARK2025 Seminar in East – West Business
Credits: 8 ECTS
Period: Spring semester
Objective: To increase and broaden knowledge of various aspect related to East–West business through own seminar work and presentations by others.
Contents: Each student writes an individual report on the subject depending on agreed topic on East-West business. The report can be related to marketing, management or business law.
Teaching methods: 4 hours introduction to the topic. 2 + 2 hours of seminar session for each student attending the course (2 hours presentation of the research proposal; 2 hours for the presentation of the final study). At least 80% attendance on the seminar lectures and acting as an opponent.
Assessment: Research paper (20-30 pages), opponent working and activity in seminar sessions.
Course literature: Selected by the student, books, articles and internet sources based on the chosen topic.
Prerequisites: Business Operation Modes in Eastern Europe, Marketing Strategies and Management in Central and Eastern Europe, and Legal Foundations of the Russian Economy are recommended.
Period: periods 3–5 (spring semester)
MARK2026 Excursion to Russia
Credits: 2 ECTS
Objective: The goal is to increase and broaden the knowledge of the Russian business environment and practices discussed in various courses in the East–West business study program.
Contents: The trip consists of lectures at the local university and/or Russian trade related organizations and company visits to local and foreign-owned enterprises. The excursion lasts 5 days and the costs are covered by the participants. The price covers travelling, accommodation, sightseeing, company visits and lectures. Price will depend on the amount of participants. Visa costs as extra, because they vary according to the students’ home country.
Teaching methods: Lectures by local university and company visits.
Assessment: company visits and a report (5-10 pages) on one or more companies visited during the excursion or some other agreed topic.
Period: Spring 2012, preliminary scheduled to week 17 (2012).
Further information: At least 25 enrolments to the course are required. Enrolments have to be done by the end of January. Students who are studying East-West Business are given priority if enrolments need to be limited.
EXCURSION REPORT
Those participating to the St. Petersburg excursion on spring 2012 are granted with 2 ECTS if writing a report successfully in a following way:
The report can be based on:
• One company visit/company presentation or lectures at the university
• Or it can focus on some other issue related to the culture, economy or business life in Russia or of the use of one specific operation mode by foreign firms in Russia.
The topic can't be the same as you possibly have in your East-West Business seminar work.
The report has to be at least 10 pages long plus 2 pages from the key aspects learned and discussed during the university and company visits. Remember to include also your comments related to topic.
The report shall be left to the mailbox of Professor Jorma Larimo (only in cases you are not anymore in Finland you may email your report to Jorma Larimo)
