The students in this course will (1) develop an appreciation for the vast heterogeneity among countries in emerging markets, (2) understand the importance of this heterogeneity for business-level innovation, (3) get introduced to a rapidly expanding literature on innovation in emerging market multinationals, and (4) learn to apply theory to real word cases by working in small teams.

This course is focused on business innovation in emerging markets. It is organized around three pillars: regional innovation dynamics, the role of institutions, and the role of multinational companies. The first issue is motivated by the tremendous heterogeneity among countries in emerging markets, which makes a perspective of regional systems of innovation warranted rather than that of national systems of innovation. Secondly, the influence of institutional rules, such as intellectual property rights regimes, on innovation will be covered. Finally, a large part of the course will be dedicated to the role of multinational companies, long recognized as critical actors of innovation in emerging economies. The students will get introduced to a rapidly expanding literature on innovation in emerging market multinationals, including their forward and backward linkages and their impact on the host and home countries and regions.

textbook on emerging markets and/or academic articles

Completed all first year courses in either International Business or Economics and Business Economics.