Business and Development Studies

More and more European firms are extending their activities to emerging markets and developing countries, through trade, through direct investments, or through networks. The Business and Development Studies concentration focuses on firm strategy, organisation and management in such countries.Emerging markets and developing countries are characterised by huge development challenges, but also by rapid economic growth as well as profound industrial and institutional transformation. Operating in such contexts raise particular challenges and opportunities for firms and organisations. The concentration in Business and Development Studies seeks to understand these challenges and opportunities.During your studies you will learn to understand the complex relationship between the business strategies of firms and the development strategies of governments. This will allow you to assess the role that companies and organisations play in economic development processes, and analyse the particular conditions of formulating, implementing and managing strategy in developing countries and emerging markets.On this background you are able to plan, design, organise and manage investment projects and development interventions in developing countries and emerging markets.You will also learn about market and private sector driven development, including aid interventions in support of local business development and poverty relief. And throughout the programme you will learn to consider the strategic and cross-cultural challenges when working in developing and emerging markets, as well as the ethical challenges and dilemmas you might meet in relation to such contexts.