APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ELE 3753 Multinational companies, responsibilities and development

Responsible for the course
Sverre August Christensen

Department
Department of Innovation and Economic Organisation

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
This course will give an historical introduction/overview to multinational companies (MNCs) and Globalization. A main topic for discussion is how MNCs have been understood and described; do they contribute to growth and development, or stagnation and exploitation. The course will particularly focus on the last 40 years, and will ask questions related to economic development and companies’ responsibilities. An import aspect of the course is to look closer at Norwegian MNCs and their challenges related to the global value chains and social responsibility.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge:
After the course students should:

• Know the historical development of MNCs
• Have knowledge about different theories related to MNCs
• Know the important theories of Globalization and its driving forces
• Have knowledge of how and why MNCs have changed
• Know of the main theories on Globalization and its development
• Know of the main theories on MNCs’ social responsibility

• After the course students should be able to:
• Reflect on MNCs and Globalization
• Reflect on MNCs, social responsibility and development
• Explain why and how MNCs and Globalization are changing
• Analyse written documents and theories in relation to the historical context
• Make written analysis of complex relations

• Develop critical thinking related to MNCs and Globalization
• Develop a critical awareness related to MNCs and Globalization
• Develop clear views on how Globalization affects responsibility
• Develop a critical notion to Globalization and development
• Develop awareness of historical changes and historical perspectives related to MNCs.

1. Introduction: Imperialism – Companies overseas and the Opium wars
2. The Great Divergence debate – why the Western Hemisphere come to dominate
3. What is fuelling Globalization? A comparative analysis of the first and second wave of Globalization
4. From business theories to Hymer’s critical perspective on MNCs
5. Globalization friendly theories of multinational companies
6. Norwegian shipping industry : important drivers of Globalization
7. From horizontal to vertical DUI – global value chains
8. Case – Norwegian MNC
9. Sweatshops a blessing or a curse
10. The role of NGOs in Globalization
11. Case – NGO
12. China’s development