Multinational Enterprises

Multinational Enterprises

Major Courses

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School of Economics and Management

2Year

KCCBG2MCA1

2.00Credits

講義 (Lecture)

Fall semester 2026

(Fall semester)

GONG Yuanyuan

School of Economics and Management, Global Business Course

English

4／8／9

After class or appointment by email

kyo@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

1◎／2◎／3◎

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N/a

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Course Description:
 This course provides opportunities to learn about the origin and emergence of multinational enterprises from a historical perspective. In this course, the lecturer will combine theoretical concepts of MNEs with practical case study methods, to help students better understand the activities of MNEs and their crucial roles in the world economy.

Learning Outcomes:
 Through the learning in this course, students should be able to:
1) understand the history of MNEs; 2) understand the main arguments in different theoretical approaches of MNEs; 3) acquire the habit and ability to analyze the activities of MNEs.

This course will focus on the following parts:
1) Theoretical framework of MNEs;
2) The origins and emergence of MNEs in various industries;
3) Comparison of MNEs from different countries.

Table of contents:
The following schedule and contents of this course might be adjusted according to the level of students’ comprehension.

1. General Introduction (1)
2. Foreign Direct Investment and the Multinational Enterprise (2-3)
3. Waves of Globalization (4-6)
** Midterm Group Presentation (7)
4. Theories of the Multinational Enterprise (8-10)
5. Case Studies (11-14)
6. Summary (15)

In-person

• In-person classes only
• Not subject to the cap on distance-education credits

Limited permission for use

In this course, the use of Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) is permitted with strict limitations. The goal is to use AI as a tool, not a replacement for thinking process.
Students are permitted to use generative AI for the following situations:
1. Brainstorming: students may use AI to generate lists of potential topics or to narrow down a broad interest.
2. Clarification: students may use AI to explain complex concepts or theories they encounter in their learning process.

Students are NOT allowed to use AI for:
1. Generating core ideas or data for analysis.
2. Citing information sources. (AI often "hallucinates" non-existing citations. Students must read the references and cite them by themselves.)

Mainly handouts from the lecturer. Additional reading materials will be distributed in advance.

[ISBN] 978-0199272105　Geoffrey Jones (2005) “Multinationals and Global Capitalism: From the Nineteenth to the Twenty-first Century”, Oxford University Press, U.S.A.

1. Read the learning materials before classes (about 15 hours in total).
2. Prepare for the presentation (about 6~7 hours in total).

1. Group discussions and group work (almost every class)
2. Case study
3. Group presentation
4. Simulation game (according to the level of students' comprehension)

Assessment : Midterm group presentation (30%), final report (35%), contribution to class discussions and group work (20%), submission of assignments (15%)

Meanwhile, the students must submit more than 2/3 of the assignments to receive credit for this course. Assignments handed in late will not be graded except in special circumstances.

Grades of assignments will be given via Google Classroom. Comments on assignments and mid-term presentations will be given during classes.

Students are expected to understand fundamental concepts in management and international business.

Not applicable.