Study Guide

Objective

An introduction to the business environment and culture in Africa. Emphasis is on distinguishing between competition from local and foreign markets, the economic organizations and regional markets of Africa, the local and international legal environments of African business, and the cultural and behavioral conditions of African business.

Content

- understanding the role of cultural conditions that enhance or impair business in Africa
- identifying and understanding the role of regional economic organizations in Africa
- understanding the nature of distinct regional markets in Africa
- understanding and accessing the business opportunities and complexities of entering the African markets
- know and understand the nature of legal, monetary, and exchange systems in Africa

Materials

• ANY PURCHASE OF BOOKS WILL BE OPTIONAL TO STUDENT, but below are some books

• AFRICA’S BUSINESS REVOLUTION: How to succeed in the world's next big growth market. By Acha Leke, Mutsa Chironga & Georges Desvaux (2018). Harvard Business Review Press

• THE NEXT AFRICA. An Emerging Continent becomes a global powerhouse. By Jake Bright & Aubrey Hruby. (2015). Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martin's Press - New York.

Further readings and materials will be provided by the lecturer

Teaching methods

Lecturing
Class activities
Group or teamwork
Presentation

Student workload

There will be total of 81 hours.

- 20 hours for lecturing and in-class activities
- 53 hours for Individual or teams activities
- 8 hours for presentations

Content scheduling

• Introduction to African business environment - A continent on the move
• Rethinking the African business opportunities & how to win in Africa.
• Business opportunities in the African continent
• Business area to invest and opportunities in Africa.
• Entering the African markets
• African business cultural values and attitudes: hierarchy, time, relationships
• Doing Business with Africans (various national & regional perspectives)
• Challenges and solutions (Cross-cultural conflict) in doing business in Africa.
• Management and working styles for doing business in Africa.
• Understanding entrepreneurial & leadership in the context of Africa
• Explore the emerging African markets and identify future growth potential
• Leadership lesson from African perspectives

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student has carried out work and participated as instructed. Students have a basic understanding of international business operations.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has carried out work well and participated actively. Students are able to apply information about forms of international business operations in the setting described.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has carried out work to an excellent standard and participated actively and constructively. Students are creatively able to apply information about forms of international business operations in the setting described.

Assessment methods and criteria

% Grade
51 - 59 = 1
69 - 60 = 2
79 - 70 = 3
89 - 80 = 4
100 - 90 = 5

Qualifications

- Inter-cultural knowledge
- International business environment