European Management

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to study and discuss present and historical managerial practices of European
companies. Management theory and practice will be the focus. Students will be introduced to the
specificity of the European business environment, including the European Union’s policies, and cultural
influences on management in different European countries. Among the topics covered in the course,
there are the history of management in Europe, innovation management, HR, project management,
entrepreneurship & intrapreneurship practices, and corporate cultures of European enterprises and
institutions.

The concepts covered in the class will be illustrated with numerous case studies of European enterprises
and successful European business leaders. A field visit to a startup incubator (Station F in Paris) and a
meeting with managers from a French international company will complement the class activities and
provide for a hands-on experience.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
It is expected that students will:
– understand the influence of European history, European Union policies and cultural diversity of
European countries on managerial practices in Europe
– acquire a better understanding of the managerial practices considered successful in the
European business environment
– be better prepared to identify and evaluate opportunities for business endeavors, networking
and knowledge transfer between their home-countries and European companies
– be better prepared to build business relations and partnerships with European managers and
companies.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
- explain the influence of the different elements of the European business environment on
managerial practices in Europe
- describe the characteristics of managerial and leadership styles practiced in European
companies
- compare and assess the impact of cultural diversity in Europe on managerial practices
- debate about different approaches to management, their efficiency, and suitability depending
on the societal, cultural and business contexts.