Human Rights|International Relations and Politics|Political Economy|Politics|Sustainability

multinational corporations|emerging markets|governance|states &amp; markets|globalisation

This module is designed to help students understand how multinational corporations are governed in the global economy. We will examine the emergence of the...

This module is designed to help students understand how multinational corporations are governed in the global economy. We will examine the emergence of the multinational corporation, and explore key issues between the relationship between states and markets given the rise of these transnational actors. This course will examine global business both from the perspective of developed economies, but will also examine contemporary issues relating to business in emerging markets, including the rise of emerging-market multinationals, institutional environments and political risk, and state capitalism. 

Additionally, we examine how other institutions of the global economy, such as trade, investment and international courts affect business regulation at the international and domestic levels. We will also look at the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or “private regulation” as a result of the activities of businesses, NGOs and other global actors. Specifically, we look at CSR with respect to environmental and labour policies in global supply chains. We examine all these questions in a variety of policy contexts, including environment, banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, labour markets, and food safety and labelling, among others.

By the end of the module, students should be able to understand how multinationals form, some of the key sources of their market power, and how domestic and international structures govern these organizations. Students will be able to understand how trade, investment and regulation combine to shape the global public policy environment. Students will also understand global governance more broadly, with its many constellations of private and public actors. Finally, students will learn skills in analysis and critical thinking, both through course readings and the assessment. Such skills will be applied in the course as we examine theories in the context of contemporary affairs and events. 
 