International Management: Managing Global Value Chains: course description

In the last fifteen years, economic integration has been moving faster and farther throughout the world and there has been much discussion about “globalization” and its consequences. Particular attention has been devoted to the themes of regional competitiveness and development as well as to the managerial implications of globalization. The course aims at framing the debate on globalization highlighting the impacts of the international integration of markets for goods, labor and technologies on companies, territories and local production systems.
A basic premise, of the proposed framework of analysis, is that the determinants and the implications of globalization can be understood and correctly tackled both strategically and politically through the understanding of the organization of markets and supply networks on the global scale. Thus, the global value chain approach will be used as an analytic and interpretive instrument in order to understand the paths to economic development for local production systems.


Introduction and objectives
The central aim of this course is to focus on how societies and firms can develop and become more competitive in today's global economy. During the course, the global value chains approach (GVC) will be presented and discussed, offering to students an industry-centric view of economic globalization that highlights the linkages between economic actors and across geographic space.
A basic premise, of the proposed framework of analysis, is that international competitiveness requires an understanding of the organization of markets, which may be viewed as networks of buying and supplying firms organized around the provision of finished goods and services. These organizational chains are increasingly global, and have complex and shifting governance structures that specify the power relations among the organizations in the chain.
The use of the GVC framework will enable students to discover surprising facts about who controls global industries, which firms make the most money and why, and how new business capabilities are emerging, that will determine the corporate leaders of tomorrow. Striving to link global, national and local levels of analysis to shed light on the effects of globalization, the course will focus on the organizational dynamics of diverse global industries, and on the competitive strategies of their leading firms. This course will expose students to current theories regarding international competitiveness and will encourage them to undertake innovative, interdisciplinary research projects on global industries. Finally, it will provide a team project experience in designing and evaluating research connected to contemporary global issues.

Course organization and supervision
The overall structure of the course and its thematic organization have been developed by prof. Stefano Micelli (Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia, Venice International University), and Lorenzo Gui (lecturer and course coordinator, Venice International University). The course is organized around different thematic areas, each developed through classes, lectures by internationally-renowned scholars and researchers, study trips.


Course Requirements
There is a great deal of material relevant to the subject matter of this course, and students will be expected to do the required readings and to attend class on a regular basis. Attendance in compulsory for all students. Required readings will be designated on a weekly basis according to the themes listed in the course outline. Students will be also encourage to find additional materials for their papers through searching the Internet and accessing suggested websites. A field trip for members of the class will be arranged.

In addition to the 40 hours of in-class tuition, Globalization Program students must accumulate a minimum of 40 hours in seminars, field trips and VIULECTURES.
Participation in the seminars, field trips and guest lectures is highly recommended to Semester Program students, but is not compulsory.