Worldwide focus

The European Union and Africa share a connection on many levels historically, geographically, culturally, and commercially. Africa currently exports a majority of its goods to Europe, making the European Union the largest importer of goods from Africa. Business in Africa has been increasing on both a local and international level with regional economic agreements becoming more active and international companies from large economies, such as China, the U.S.A. and Europe doing more business within the region. As this growth continues, there will be an increase in the demand for new leaders and managers who have a solid understanding of the benefits and challenges of doing business in this dynamic region.

Students who choose the specialisation African Business Relations will achieve an understanding of the development of the economies in this region, as well as an understanding of the current issues in business and economics in Africa. Additionally, students will learn about the diversity between African and European cultures and will be able to experience these differences first-hand in an excursion to a major city in the African region. During the excursion, students will have the opportunity to talk to foreign experts and managers about various topics as related to international business.

The dynamism of the developing economies in Asia has acquired unheard-of momentum, successfully challenging the established industrialised nations in almost every sector of the world economy. China is playing a key role in this economic revolution, and in just a few years will have the largest economy on the planet. Production centres and trade flows are gravitating towards these new growth poles in the world economy and new supply chains are reshaping economic geography in the Asia Pacific. These evolutions offer unique opportunities to companies worldwide. 

Students who choose the specialisation 'Asian Business Relations' will achieve a basic understanding of East Asian economies that builds on a comparison between China and Japan as case studies. Students analyse the main determinants of diverse growth patterns in the East Asian region and how they combine to create the specific structure of the regional economy today. Via an excursion to China, students gain first-hand experience of the region and have the opportunity to talk to Chinese and foreign experts and managers about the results of their studies.

Europe has developed into the largest integrated market in the world and holds a unique position in the global economy. However, at the same time it is also an economy facing significant challenges - from the European debt crisis and future of the Euro and the EU to the adjustment of European economies to strengthening global competition. Both risks and advantages of Europe can turn into opportunities for both European businesses and international trading partners. 

Students who choose this specialisation will learn to understand the unique dynamics of European economies and European economic integration via an analytical history of post-WWII Europe. The emerging patterns of intraregional trade and investment flows are analyzed against the background of the stepwise transition to monetary integration. Students learn to assess the contemporary role of Europe in the world economy both in terms of trade policy as well as issues and global production networks. They analyze current issues in international monetary policies in the context of the relations between the major currencies in the world.

The Latin American region is becoming more prominent in the global economy. A specialisation in this area would be interesting for international business students because it is expected that this emerging market will continue to grow and become a larger player in the world economy. Additionally, as the EU is currently Latin America´s second largest trading partner, the region poses a particularly interesting market for European companies looking to do business there or vice-versa: for Latin American companies looking to do business with European counterparts.

Students who choose the specialisation Latin American Business Relations will achieve an understanding of the development of the economies in this region, as well as an understanding of the current issues in business and economics in Latin America. Additionally, students will learn about the cultural diversity between Latin America and Europe and will be able to experience these differences first-hand during an excursion to a major Latin American city. Additionally, during the excursion students will have the opportunity to talk to foreign experts and managers about various topics related to international business