This is a joint project seminar of the Competence Center for Emerging Markets & CEE at WU, the Carlson School of Management (CSOM), University of Minnesota, USA, and a corporate Partner from the USA. Both student groups - 10 WU and 13-15 CSOM students - will work together on a real life case.

This year we cooperate with a US Fortune 500 Company. They are interested in an industry analysis of their German and Hungarian markets and suggestions for business development. The course will include a stay in Germany and Budapest.

This project seminar has a long tradition and continues a seminar series that has been successfully offered together with CSOM and changing corporate partners (IBM, 3M, Toro, Hormel, General Mills) and changing destinations every summer term since 1996. The course provides an unforgettable international experience due to the trip abroad, the cooperation with US-students and faculty, and a global company.

Important links:

CSOM: http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/

CC CEE: https://www.wu.ac.at/emcee/

By the end of this course students will have

• Specific knowledge of an important and fast growing industry
• Insights in current business realities in Germany and Hungary
• Learned how develop a business and marketing strategy for two different foreign markets
• Improved their ability to work in a multicultural group
• Strengthened their library and Internet research skills and learned how to synthesize and assess data/information from a variety of sources.

The seminar consists of two parts. During the first part from early-March to mid-May the CSOM and WU teams will work relatively independently although also in virtual WU-CSOM Teams on the assignment. Students will refresh their business case relevant knowledge and start with desk research related to the project.

On April 10 you are invited to the 9. Grow East Congress on "Nationalism vs. Globalization: Implications for CEE? that will take place in the WKO Conference Center in Vienna: www.groweast.eu

The main activity happens during the 2 weeks from May 21 to June 1 when we go together on a field trip to Germany and Budapest (May 21 - 25). Afterwards we all will meet in Vienna where we continue our discussion and prepare together the recommendations for the corporate partner (May 28 - June 1). 

With the final presentation to our partner and a farewell dinner on June 1 the course ends.

The output of this project seminar is a report that comprises the analyses and recommendations to the partner. The grade is based on the individual contributions to the research work, participation in class discussions and quality of the presentations and final recommendation. I expect that all students contribute equally to the preparation of the report and final presentation. To pass the course you need 60% of the total score.

The course grade will be determined as follows:

• 20% Participation in the meetings at WU and group work before the joint session
• 50% Participation in company visits and group work during the 2-weeks in Germany and Budapest
• 30% Quality of the strategy recommendation and final presentation.

This course is exclusively offered to a maximum of 10 students from the CEMS-MIM program. Participation in the field trip  (May 21-25) and sessions at WU (May 28 - June 1) is mandatory.

The destinations of our field trip will be a location in Germany followed by Budapest.

The sessions at WU and field trip have been coordinated with the CEMS Office; the Program Management is informed about potential time conflicts.

Participating students will have to pay for travel expenses by themselves. 

The Competence Center for EM&CEE will make the travel arrangements for the CSOM students. WU students can "opt in" or organize their travel and stay individually. The Center will cover general costs (welcome & farewell dinner, sightseeing tour).