This course provides an overview of the nature, determinants and impact of globalization processes, of their evolution and crises. Trends and interactions with economic change will be examined at the macro, sectoral and micro levels  Attention will be focused on the different modes of international organization of production, and on the role of MNEsas key players in Global Value Chains and in the transnational generation and diffusion of technical change and innovation. The effects of multinational presence on both home and host economies will be examined. Team work will be encouraged both at home and in class.

1. Globalisation, global crises and de-globalisation: facts, ideas and debate

2. Theories of International production

3. Multinational firms, innovation and productivity

4. The impact of international production on home and host economies

basic economics and calculus

- Knowledge and understanding abilities: The course will yield abilities to collect and understand information on the different dimensions of globalisation: international movements of persons, goods and services, capital and knowledge. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Knowledge and applied abilities: students willhave to apply the acquired knowledge in a comprehensive and flexible way, use concepts methods and interpretive models to data and statistics as well as to different analytical frameworks.Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Autonomy of judgement: Students will have to connect different bits of knowledge and deal with complex issues in an autonomous way and developing a critical ability. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Communication abilities: Students will have to develop abilities to approprately communicate the concepts and facts illustrated and discussed during classwork. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

- Learning abilities: Students will have to develop good learning abilities that will enable them to deepen their knowledge of globalisation issues in subsequent academic and professional experiences. Learning activities will include: lectures, seminars, discussions of case studies, homeworks, papers and class work.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course will consist of lectures, class discussions, essays and simulation work. Students will be responsible for reading assigned material before the topic is discussed in class. Assignments will be given and students will be expected to discuss these in class.

Innovative teaching methods

The course envisages the active involvement of students in debates, learning by problem solving (homework discussed during classwork, exercises on focal themes), scenario simulations and role games, short essays, discussion of themes covered during seminars and workshops

Attendance

Attendance is highly recommended but not compulsory

Course books

The following texts are compulsory reading for all, except the one identified with a (*) which is mandatory for attending students who are not writing a short essay

• Fischer, S. Globalization and Its Challenges, American Economic Review, May, 2003, 93(2), 1-30, available at http://www.iie.com/fischer/pdf/fischer011903.pdf
• Franzini M., Pianta M. (2016) Explaining Inequality, Routledge, Chapters 1 and 2 only
• G.Ietto-Gillies, Transnational corporations and international production. Concepts, theories and effects, E.Elgar, new edition, 2012, Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
• Castellani D., Zanfei A., Multinational firms, innovation and productivity, E. Elgar 2007, Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6
• R.Baldwin, The great convergence. Information technology and the new globalisation, HUP, Cambridge, 2018,Chapters 1,2, 3,4,5
• (*) Coveri A., Cozza C., Nascia L., Zanfei A. (2020) Supply chain contagion and the role of industrial policy, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, vol 47, n3, 2020, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40812-020-00167-6

Assessment

Oral or written examinations, papers and presentations during classes. The first exam session after the end of classes will a written test. All exam sessions thereafter will be oral examinations. Either exam mode will address the four thematic areas covered during lectures and seminars: 1. Globalisation, global crises and de-globalisation: facts, ideas and debate; 2. Theories of International production; 3. Multinational firms, innovation and productivity; 4. The impact of international production on home and host economies. 

Students will have to demonstrate their ability to handle concepts and data; to apply them consistently, within a reasonable time, and using proper language; and to select essential elements for illustration of relevant topics. A short essay can be delivered as part of the classwork, on a theme to be agreed upon with the lecturer. The essay will be evaluated 0-2 points that will be added to the final mark.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Students will have to refer to the readings and get ready for exam. Small groups of students may request special rehearsal sessions on specific parts of the syllabus, to be held during the first semester.

Attendance

Attendance is highly recommended but not compulsory

Course books

The following texts are compulsory readings for non-attending students, including the one identified with a (*) which is not mandatory for attending students 

• Fischer, S. Globalization and Its Challenges, American Economic Review, May, 2003, 93(2), 1-30, available at http://www.iie.com/fischer/pdf/fischer011903.pdf
• Franzini M., Pianta M. (2016) Explaining Inequality, Routledge, Chapters 1 and 2 only
• G.Ietto-Gillies, Transnational corporations and international production. Concepts, theories and effects, E.Elgar, new edition, 2012, Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
• Castellani D., Zanfei A., Multinational firms, innovation and productivity, E. Elgar 2007, Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6
• R.Baldwin, La grande convergenza Tecnologia informatica, Web e nuova globalizzazione. Il Mulino, 2018, solo capp 1,2,3,4,5
• (*) Coveri A., Cozza C., Nascia L., Zanfei A. (2020) Supply chain contagion and the role of industrial policy, Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, vol 47, n3, 2020, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40812-020-00167-6

Assessment

Oral or written examinations, papers and presentations during classes. The first exam session after the end of classes will a written test. All exam sessions thereafter will be oral examinations. Either exam mode will address the four thematic areas covered during lectures and seminars: 1. Globalisation, global crises and de-globalisation: facts, ideas and debate; 2. Theories and evidence on International production and Global Value Chains; 3. Multinational firms, innovation and productivity; 4. The impact of international production on home and host economies. 

Students will have to demonstrate their ability to handle concepts and data; to apply them consistently, within a reasonable time, and using proper language; and to select essential elements for illustration of relevant topics.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Oral or written examinations, papers and presentations can be in English upon request. Rehearsal sessions for small groups of students requiring special assitance can be organised