Cooperation and Networking in International Business

In today's high-turbulent and quickly changing economic conditions, companies aiming to operate effectively and enter new markets often need to get involved into cooperative relations and various interfirm networks. The need to use additional resources which the companies don't own and don't specialize in leads companies to collaboration both at the national level and internationally. Interfirm cooperation is one of international business strategies. One of the most widespread forms of interfirm cooperation is a strategic alliance. Several alliances turn together into alliance constellations and interfirm networks, which creates additional positive and negative effects on the businesses.

In this course, the students will learn the specifics of interfirm cooperation, its tendencies throughout the world and key characteristics in different industries. Special attention is paid to international strategic alliances, their types, opportunities and risks under the alliance strategy The concept of alliance portfolio is analyzed a lot, as well as such forms of cooperation as clusters and business networks. In addition, within the course framework the main issues related to the cooperation strategy's possible benefits and new effects (coopetition, positive and negative synergies) will be discussed as well as the specifics of cooperation with Russian companies

The course is for bachelor and master students in the sphere of economics and management as well as for everyone interested in the topic of interfirm relations and modern business structures. To feel most comfortable studying the course, you'll need the basic knowledge and understanding of how business and economy work in the modern world