Doing Business in Europe

Lectures, seminars and discussion of case studies.

Lectures in a seminar format, where reactions and observations from students are welcomed.

The course aims to introduce the students to the regulatory and economic surrounding (with risk approach) within which business operates in Europe. Foundational principles and relevant core of values are of particular importance.

First the course looks into the history of the EU since its establishment with the focus on economic integration, explains the institutional setting and compares it with other relevant international organizations in Europe (the UN, the Council of Europe).

Second, it outlines the European values on the marketplace. By presenting the division of powers between the EU and its Member States, it explains the way democracy functions in Europe and highlights the importance of the rule of law for economic activity. To discuss the latter, it uses cases of Poland and Hungary, which highlight the relevance of democracy for the functioning of the market in Europe.

Third, the course discusses the relationship between fundamental rights (human rights) and business in Europe. The topic falls in the ongoing debate in Europe on green transition to ensure compliance and respect for human rights and European values in economic activity. Examples of recent case-law and regulatory attempts in the matter serve to illustrate the issue.

In a second part the course covers the basic types of risks associated with functioning in an international environment. Additionally, the position of the EU in the international economic environment is presented.

Firstly, it discusses the specificity of the EU from the point of view of legal risk, including legal forms of activity

Secondly, the macroeconomic risk of functioning in the common market, including the stages of economic integration and its effects in Europe.

Third, the exchange rate discusses financial risk, including currency risk (along with the specificity of the euro area) and interest rate risk as a function of the ECB's decisions.

Fourth, the risk of competition and its impact on doing business in the EU is discussed.

Fifth, the European labor market is discussed

Sixthly, the strategies for the single European market and the possibilities of their implementation plus problems related to cultural diversity and European marketing are discussed.

Seventhly, climate policy and energy transformation will be discussed as an important element of the European business environment

Finally, the competitive position of the European Union in the modern world will be discussed

S. Weatherill, Law and values in the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2016.

S. Mercado, R. Welford, K. Prescott, European Business, FT Prentice Hall, 4th ed or newest, 2001

G. Suder, Doing Business in Europe, SAGE Publications, 2008

Non-Financial Reporting Directive

Communication from the Commission — Guidelines on non-financial reporting (methodology for reporting non-financial information)

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

After completing the course, a student will:

- Understand the axiological foundations of economic activity in Europe;

- Frame the European values relevant to economic activity;

- Identify the relationship between fundamental rights protection and business in Europe.

- understanding multi-dimensional risk and specific character in business environment in the European Union

- identify possible issues and the ways to solve possible problems connected with specificity of the European Union as a place for business activity

Active participation is required, and one explained absence is allowed.

Final assessment will be based on final group project

The topic of final project will be confirmed later.