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Doing Business in the European Union

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:3.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:29:23
Study Course Information
Course Code:SBUEK_233LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:4.00ECTS:6.00
Branch of Science:Management; Business ManagementTarget Audience:Marketing and Advertising; Business Management; Management Science; Juridical Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Inna Dovladbekova
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)6Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures12
Classes (count)8Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes16
Total Contact Hours28
Full-Time - Semester No.2
Lectures (count)7Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures14
Classes (count)9Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes18
Total Contact Hours32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)3Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures6
Classes (count)4Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes8
Total Contact Hours14
Part-Time - Semester No.2
Lectures (count)5Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures10
Classes (count)5Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes10
Total Contact Hours20
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, fundamentals of finance, fundamentals of law.
Objective:
The course is designed to spread knowledge about the transformation of the EU business environment (on macro and micro levels) facilitating the understanding of doing business in the EU. Based on EU Action Plan “Financing Sustainable Growth”, The European Green Deal and EU’s Post-COVID-19 Recovery Plan the course aims to ensure that students acquire solid base of knowledge on macro and micro business environment of the EU, and in particular, knowledge on setting up business, contract law, company law, employment and intellectual property rules, corporate governance, corporate and social responsibility, sustainability in business, digital economy and main financial aspects such as monetary policy, international trade and international finance, exchange rate, taxes and Eurozone. After completion of the DBEU teaching module, the graduates are expected to be able to use integrative knowledge (legal, financial, and strategic management) on the EU business environment, applicable during and after the process of transformation of EU.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Exchange rate, purchasing power parity, interest rate parity. Currency regimes.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
2Exchange rate role in business - exchange rate calculation skills; understanding how parities work and can influence the exchange rateClasses1.00E-Studies platform
3Exchange rate transactions in business. Currency futures, options and swapsLectures1.00E-Studies platform
Classes1.00E-Studies platform
4Entrepreneurial skills on exchange rate risks and their mitigating in business. Case study, examples.Classes1.00E-Studies platform
5Foreign trade impact on exchange rate. International capital flows impact on the exchange rate.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
6Balance of payments: what it reveals?Classes1.00E-Studies platform
7International role of Euro and stability of the EurozoneLectures1.00E-Studies platform
8Operating of a currency zone: Eurozone contextClasses1.00E-Studies platform
9Eurozone monetary policy response to COVID-19 pandemicClasses1.00E-Studies platform
10The role of taxes in business. Principles of the tax system. Competitiveness of the tax system.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
11Deepening understanding of the tax regulation in the EU. Strengthening of analytical skills - comparative analysis of the tax system in the EU countries. Changes in the tax system during COVID 19.Classes1.00E-Studies platform
12Sources of business financing. Sources of business financing in the EULectures1.00E-Studies platform
13Practical aspects of raising funds. Practical aspects of startup financingClasses1.00E-Studies platform
14Principles of EU law for businesses. Company Law in EU. Free movement of establishment.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
15EU Business Competition rules. Digital EU Single market.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
16Case studiesClasses1.00E-Studies platform
17Corporate governance in EU, regulations, case lawClasses1.00E-Studies platform
18Labour law in EU: working conditions, handling crisis situations, telework, employee’s protection.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
19Labour law in practiceClasses1.00E-Studies platform
20Intellectual property law in EUClasses1.00E-Studies platform
21Commercial dispute settlement in EU.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
22The role of mediation in the settlement of commercial disputes (Mediation role play)Classes1.00E-Studies platform
23Essence and importance of marketing in sustainable business. Integrated marketing communication in sustainable business.Lectures1.00E-Studies platform
24Climate change related factors influencing consumer behavior. Sustainable consumer behaviour. Corporate social responsibilityLectures1.00E-Studies platform
25Practical aspects of CSR, case study, examplesLectures1.00E-Studies platform
Classes1.00E-Studies platform
26Entrepreneurial skills on impact factors and risk assessmentClasses3.00E-Studies platform
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Exchange rate, purchasing power parity, interest rate parity. Currency regimes.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
2Exchange rate role in business - exchange rate calculation skills; understanding how parities work and can influence the exchange rateClasses0.50E-Studies platform
3Exchange rate transactions in business. Currency futures, options and swapsLectures0.50E-Studies platform
4Entrepreneurial skills on exchange rate risks and their mitigating in business. Case study, examples.Classes0.50E-Studies platform
5Foreign trade impact on exchange rate. International capital flows impact on the exchange rate.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
6Balance of payments: what it reveals?Classes0.50E-Studies platform
7International role of Euro and stability of the EurozoneLectures0.50E-Studies platform
8Operating of a currency zone: Eurozone contextClasses0.50E-Studies platform
9Eurozone monetary policy response to COVID-19 pandemicClasses0.50E-Studies platform
10The role of taxes in business. Principles of the tax system. Competitiveness of the tax system.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
11Deepening understanding of the tax regulation in the EU. Strengthening of analytical skills - comparative analysis of the tax system in the EU countries. Changes in the tax system during COVID 19.Classes0.50E-Studies platform
12Sources of business financing. Sources of business financing in the EULectures0.50E-Studies platform
13Practical aspects of raising funds. Practical aspects of startup financingClasses1.00E-Studies platform
14Principles of EU law for businesses. Company Law in EU. Free movement of establishment.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
15EU Business Competition rules. Digital EU Single market.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
16Case studiesClasses0.50E-Studies platform
17Corporate governance in EU, regulations, case lawClasses0.50E-Studies platform
18Labour law in EU: working conditions, handling crisis situations, telework, employee’s protection.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
19Labour law in practiceClasses0.50E-Studies platform
20Intellectual property law in EUClasses0.50E-Studies platform
21Commercial dispute settlement in EU.Lectures0.50E-Studies platform
22The role of mediation in the settlement of commercial disputes (Mediation role play)Classes0.50E-Studies platform
23Essence and importance of marketing in sustainable business. Integrated marketing communication in sustainable business.Lectures1.50E-Studies platform
24Climate change related factors influencing consumer behavior. Sustainable consumer behaviour. Corporate social responsibilityLectures1.50E-Studies platform
25Practical aspects of CSR, case study, examplesClasses0.50E-Studies platform
26Entrepreneurial skills on impact factors and risk assessmentClasses2.00E-Studies platform
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Home readings, case studies, group presentations.
Assessment Criteria:
1. In-class activity and self evaluation tests – 10%. 2. Middle term progress evaluation in a form of a summary report 2 – 3 pages. – 20% 3. Case study analysis and Presentation (both text and verbal delivery; group work) – 30% 4. Exam – 40%. Written exam.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:Understanding of macro and micro business environment of the EU, digital economy, and main financial aspects such as monetary policy, international trade and international finance, exchange rate, taxes and Eurozone. Being able to independently assess options on setting up business in EU. Having a basic understanding of the concepts of contract law, company law, employment, and intellectual property rules. Understanding the essence of corporate governance, corporate and social responsibility, sustainability in business.
Skills:In respect to the practical dimension of the course, students will develop such entrepreneurial skills as critical thinking, strategic thinking, argumentation, risk management, decision making, media literacy etc.
Competencies:Students will be able to assess the practical aspects of the EU business environment, such as currency transactions, their meaning in business, tax aspects, funding opportunities, regulation, sustainability, consumer behavior and marketing related issues. Within the framework of the course, the ability to plan and develop the idea of a business opportunity and evaluate its implementation possibilities in different economic environments will be developed.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1Krugman P., Obstfeld M., Melitz M. International Finance: Theory and Policy, Global Edition, 11th Edition, Pearson, 2018, 468 p.
2Mishkin F. Economics of Money: Banking and Financial Markets, Global Edition, 12th Edition, Pearson, 2018, 744 p
3Richter S. The Transition from Command to Market Economies in Eastcentral Europe: The Vienna Institute for Comparative Economic Studies Yearbook IV, Routledge, 2020, 334 p.
4Robert A. Jarrow and Arkadev Chatterjea An Introduction to Derivative Securities, Financial markets, and Risk Management. 2.nd Edition, 2019
5Pilbeam K. International Finance, 4th Edition, 2013
6Rob Quail, James A. Overdahl Futures, Options, and Swaps, 5th Edition, 2007
7Baldwin R., Wyplosz C. The Economics of European Integration, 6th Edition, 2019, 400 p.
8Taxation trends in the European Union
9Richard A. Brealey, Stewart C. Myers, Franklin Allen // Corporate Finance.- McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 13th Edition, 2022
10Stefano Caselli, Gulia Negri. Private Equity and Venture Capital in Europe, 3rd Edition, 2021
11Andrea Vicari: "European Company Law", edited by De Gruyter, Berlin, 2021
12Beate Sjåfjell, Christopher M. Bruner (eds), The Cambridge Handbook of Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and Sustainability, Cambridge University Press, 2019, Chapters 1, 6, 14, 37, 43, 46, 47
13JG Merrills. International Dispute Settlement. 6th Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2017
14Golann and Folberg. Mediation: The Roles of Advocate and Neutral. 3rd Edition. Due Date: May 25, 2022
15Martin, D., Schouten, J. „Sustainable Marketing”. 1st Edition, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2011. 264 pages
16Belz, F. M., Peattie, K. „Sustainability Marketing: A Global Perspective”, 2nd Edition. TJ International Padstow, Cornwall: UK, 2012. 352 pages
17Chandler, D. “Sustainable Value Creation”. 2nd Edition. London: Routledge, 2020. 142 pages
Additional Reading
1IMF, Annual Report on Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions 2020, 25 Aug 2021.
2Lars Oxelheim, Alf Alviniussen, Hakan Jankensgart Corporate Foreign Exchange Risk Management, 2020, E-Book
3Derivatives statistics.
4Paul Ainsworth A Guide to Managing Foreign Exchange Risk
5Latvijas Banka. Valsts Maksājumu bilance
6Canale R. R., Mirdala R. Fiscal and Monetary Policy in the Eurozone : Theoretical Concepts and Empirical Evidence, 1st Edition, Emerald, 2019, 100 p. (e-book)
7Kempf H. Monetary Unions: Institutions and Policies, Springer, 2022, 444 p.
8Postula M. Public Financial Management in the European Union: Public Finance and Global Crises, Routledge, 2022, 240 p
9Huseyin O. Analysis of the Economic Impacts of the Euro, the Efficiency of the Euro in the Optimum Currency Area, and the Place of the Euro in Global Economics, European Review, 2020, Vol. 28 Issue 2, pp. 258-275
10https://www.macroeconomics.lv/category/working-papers
11Fundamental principles of taxation
12Corporate tax practices and aggressive tax planning in the EU -
13International Tax Competitiveness Index 2021., Tax Foundation
14Promoting the internal market and economic growth. Taxation
15Tax Policy Reforms 2021. Special Edition on Tax policy during COVID-19 Pandemic
16Marjaana Helminen EU Tax Law. Direct Taxation, 2021
17Nicola De Luca. European Company Law. Cambridge University Press, 2nd Edition, 2021
18Fenwick, M. International business law: emerging fields of regulation. Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2018
19Eleanor M. Fox/ Damien Gerard, EU Competition Law – Cases, Text and Context, Edward Elgar. Publishing Limited, 1st Edition, 2017.
20Lianos, I., Korah, V., Siciliani, P. Competition Law: Analysis, Cases & Materials (OUP 2019)
21Jones, A. EU competition law : text, cases, and materials. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2019
22Fauver, L., Hung, M., Li, X., & Taboada, A. G. (2017). Board reforms and firm value: Worldwide evidence. Journal of Financial Economics, (1), 120.
23Labour law database
242020 edition of our European Employment Law Update
25EU Commission: Communication ‘Making the most of the EU’s innovative potential – An intellectual property action plan to support the EU’s recovery and resilience’.
26M. Moses. The Principles and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration (CUP, 3rd Edition, 2017)
27A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: A European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development.
28A European Green Deal.
29Muthu, S., S. (Ed.). Consumer Behaviour and Sustainable Fashion Consumption. 2019, 96 pages
30Kumar, R. Research Methodology: A step by step guide for beginners. Sage, 2018. 399 pages
Other Information Sources
1Finance and funding
2Support for small businesses
3Venture Capital
4Funding opportunities for small businesses
5Understanding differences in startup financing stages.
6COVID-19 Government Financing Support Programmes for Businesses. 2021 update. OECD
7Diagnosing COVID-19 Impacts on Entrepreneurship: Exploring Policy Remedies for Recovery , GEM
8Whish, R. and Bailey, D. Competition Law. Oxford University Press, 9th Edition, 2018.
9Court judgments and Commission decisions covering EU antitrust and merger control issues. Database
10FREER AND MOLL, Principles of Business Organizations, Chapter 4 ‘The Corporation: Overview, Theory and History’, pp. 139-151, THE ECONOMIST, Coase’s theory of the firm (July 27th 2017)
11EU Comission. Flash Reports on Labour Law.
12International Arbitration in Sweden. A Practitioner’s Guide, Magnusson. Ragnwaldh & Wallin (eds). 2nd Edition, 2021, Wolters Kluwer)