Doing Business in Europe 2600-IBP-DBinE

The course aims to introduce the students to the regulatory and economic surrounding (with risk approach) within which business operates in Europe. Foundational principles and relevant core of values are of particular importance.

First the course looks into the history of the EU since its establishment with the focus on economic integration, explains the institutional setting and compares it with other relevant international organizations in Europe (the UN, the Council of Europe).

Second, it outlines the European values on the marketplace. By presenting the division of powers between the EU and its Member States, it explains the way democracy functions in Europe and highlights the importance of the rule of law for economic activity. To discuss the latter, it uses cases of Poland and Hungary, which highlight the relevance of democracy for the functioning of the market in Europe.

Third, the course discusses the relationship between fundamental rights (human rights) and business in Europe. The topic falls in the ongoing debate in Europe on green transition to ensure compliance and respect for human rights and European values in economic activity. Examples of recent case-law and regulatory attempts in the matter serve to illustrate the issue.

In a second part the course covers the basic types of risks associated with functioning in an international environment. Additionally, the position of the EU in the international economic environment is presented.

Firstly, it discusses the specificity of the EU from the point of view of legal risk, including legal forms of activity

Secondly, the macroeconomic risk of functioning in the common market, including the stages of economic integration and its effects in Europe.
Third, the exchange rate discusses financial risk, including currency risk (along with the specificity of the euro area) and interest rate risk as a function of the ECB's decisions.

Fourth, the risk of competition and its impact on doing business in the EU is discussed.

Fifth, the European labor market is discussed

Sixthly, the strategies for the single European market and the possibilities of their implementation plus problems related to cultural diversity and European marketing are discussed.

Seventhly, climate policy and energy transformation will be discussed as an important element of the European business environment

Finally, the competitive position of the European Union in the modern world will be discussed