Schedule of lectures/topics:

I. Introductory topics

1. Introduction – globalization, development of global economy and of the role of international transactions in national economies. Economic networks and global value chains – introduction. (Feb 17^th)

2. Global value chains continued – upgrading, analytical instruments. (Feb 24^th)

3. Economic agents: consumer preferences – the role of differences in culture, attitudes and values around the globe. (March 3^rd)

4. Modes of internationalization of economic activities: when should we trade and when institute a foreign subsidiary? Which strategy for which market? (March 10^th)

5. The role of governance and its international dimension. Principal-agent problem and agency problems. Corporate governance: relationship between the shareholders, board, management. (March 17^th)

II. Foreign trade activities

6. Exporting and importing activities: prices, risks, insurance. INCOTERMS. Amazon and E-bay: effects on organization of international trade? (March 24^th)

7. Trade policies: practical aspects. Non-tariff barriers to trade. Embargoes and sanctions. (March 31^st)

8. Holidays (April 7^th)

9. How to pay for imports and get paid for exports? Means and methods of payments. SWIFT. Blockchains. (April 14^th).

III. International investment and finance

10. Currencies in international business. Exchange rate risk and exchange rate exposure. Introduction to hedging. Cryptocurrencies. (April 21^st)

11. Taxes and international business. Tax havens. (April 28^th)

12. Kickback: Corruption in international business. (May 5^th)

IV. Summary, latest trend

13. Current trades, new sources of data, analytical instruments. (May 12^th)

14. Final summary. Reserved as make up class for the holidays (May 19^th)