During this course, we will discuss the role of multinational companies (MNC) for country development. The central aim is to understand how strategies of MNCs affect countries’ economic outcomes and the interplay between multinational companies, governments, and society. The focus during this course rests on the following main issues:

• MNC strategy: effects of FDI on economic development. Linkages and spillover effects between foreign and local companies.
• Government strategy: government measures that affect spillovers and linkages effects, and investments by foreign MNCs.
• Interplay between firms-state-society for effective FDI externalities.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Develop awareness of theory and evidence related to MNCs and economic development.
• Understand the role MNCs can play in development, and how governments and local communities can influence this role.
• Apply theories and approaches of MNCs in order to analyze and assess development impacts of MNCs’ activities and their strategies towards governments and society.

Students have to attend at least 80% of the scheduled sessions in order to meet the attendance requirements.

Classes will be a mixture of lectures, case studies, and interactive in-class exercises including presentations and discussion. Students will work individually and together in teams. An exam, group project work, as well as the presentation of the group project further contribute to the learning outcomes.

40% Exam (in Session 5)

40% Team paper

10% Team paper presentation (in Session 8)

10% Peer rating