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Regular version of the site

Research Seminar

2019/2020
Academic Year
ENG
Instruction in English
7
ECTS credits
Course type:
Compulsory course
When:
1 year, 1-4 module

Instructors


Колесниченко Сергей Алексеевич

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The research seminar “Doing business in/with China” is designed for master’s program students, who major in “Business and Politics in Modern Asia” and prepares them for solving problems which they can faced with while working with Chinese partners, it forms knowledge and practical skills which can hep student in future make business in or with China. The course provides students complex knowledge of modern development of Asia. It is also devoted to communication between different cultures and especially focus on Sino-Russian cooperation and difference in business culture. During the course it will be provided a lot of key studies which can help the students to understand better the present situation in China. The course will focus on:  Possibilities of making business in/with China  Basic categories of Chinese traditional culture and its modern interpretations;  Main problems during the cooperation with Chinese partners, negotiating process;  National character and main features of Chinese business etiquette;  Ways of finding job in China, main obstacles for the foreigners;  HR in the PRC, changing situation in Chinese society
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • After the course students will learn to: - work with information: find, evaluate, systematize and use information necessary for solving professional problems from various sources; - communicate in English on professional topics; -prepare scientific and analytical reports, reviews, presentations, information briefs and explanatory notes in their professional field; -take into account the cultural specificity characteristic of the countries of the studied region in their practical and research activities; -understand and analyze socially and personally significant problems and processes occurring in society.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • is able to independently master new research methods, change the scientific and industrial profile of their activities. Ability to improve and develop its intellectual and cultural level, to build the path of professional development and career.
  • is able to analyze, verify, evaluate the completeness of information in the course of professional activity, if necessary, make up and synthesize the missing information. Able to organize and manage multilateral communication. Able to conduct professional, including research activities
  • is able to solve problems in professional and social activities, taking into account social, sociocultural, socio-political, ethnocultural and religious differences of the peoples of Asia and Africa. Able to consciously choose strategies for interpersonal interaction with representatives of countries and bearers of cultures of Asia and Africa
  • is able to build professional activities, business and make choices, guided by the principles of social responsibility. Is able to perform interdisciplinary interaction and cooperation with representatives of other fields of knowledge while solving research and applied tasks
  • is able to conduct independent research, including problem analysis, setting goals and objectives, identifying the object and subject of research, choosing the mode and methods of research, and assessing its quality. Able to seek information on pressing issues in Asia and Africa and process it using modern methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis
  • is able to independently determine the problem field of research activity in the field of various aspects of research in Asia and Africa. Able to draw up official-business, scientific and unofficial documents in the same eastern and English languages ​​in accordance with the norms of speech etiquette. Is able to take part in scientific polemics in oral and written form
  • is able to present the results of professional activities publicly in one Eastern and English languages ​​directly to the audience and indirectly - in the media, in the Internet space. Able to conduct business negotiations in foreign languages ​​(one Eastern and English).
  • is able to advise individuals, departments and 13 organizations on the development problems of the countries of Asia and Africa, using modern methods of direct and remote counseling; to develop specific proposals for the optimization of various types of practical activities.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction to the course (Part 1)
    Main stages of the history of China at the end of XX- beginning of XXI century Era of Mao Zedong Period of Cultural Revolution Period reforms and opening up
  • Introduction to the course (Part 2)
    • Changes is ownership types: SOE vs POE • China’s tiered city system
  • China as a market
    • China as a market. What are the main potentials and challenges? • China’s consumer market: social changes in contemporary China • Growing middle class in China
  • New technological era in China
    • Innovations and technology in China Case of Tencent Holding
  • Internet generation in China
    Cyber-security in China Online shopping and e-commerce Internet companies vs Traditional companies
  • Regional division of China
    • First-tier and second-tier cities difference • Why local context is important? • Cross-cultural strategies for promotion of foreign brands in China: case of McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, KFC, Haagen Daze, L’oreal • Top apps in China: Wechat, QQ, Alipay, Taobao
  • Perspectives and obstacles for doing business in China
    • Foreign company’s goods on the Chinese market • Culture and brand management • The specific of advertisement in China • Motivations of Chinese consumers: why brands are important • Concept of Elitism in China
  • New concepts in China
    • One belt, One road Initiative: opportunity for business • Environmental situation • Talent management in China • New nationalism in China and concept of Chinese dream
  • Startups in China
    • Situation with startups in modern China • Governmental support and opportunities for development of startups in China • How to find investors
  • Logistics from China
    • Logistics way from China to Russia • Main problems and obstacles • Brief introduction of Incoterms
  • Students presentations (Part 1)
  • Students presentations (Part 2)
  • Gender question in China’s business
    • Gender policy in China • Does gender matter? • Women in business in China
  • Law in China
    • How foreign company can manage with Chinese law • Intellectual property rights in the PRC • Power of the contract in China
  • Situation in China starting from 1980s
    • Development of private business in China: who was the first Chinese businessmen • Role of FDI in China’s economy • Free trade zones: its potential for business • Is Hong Kong part of China? • Rising role of the CPC in business • Specific of regional development in China • Cluster structure, map of the manufacturing areas
  • Main trends in Chinese business
    • Real estate. Shanghai - from unlimited to max 2 apartments • Stock exchange • Banking system • Perspective for Russian business in frame of One belt, One road initiative. Case of Transcontainer company: different routes and unique selling proposition • Africa as new destination for Chinese companies. Case of Tecno and Sunshine group
  • China and other countries
    • Specific of China’s business with Russia. Case of Fesco company • From Enemies to business partners: Japan and China. Nippon pain China. 18 factories, leading successful strategy • Indonesian companies in China. • Perspective of business with Thailand.
  • How to organize successful business in China
    • Repoffice, WFOE or JV: main advantages and disadvantages. Case of Magnitogorsk iron and steel works • How to register the trademark • Specific of business in different regions of China • Profit: how to get investment back?
  • Working in China
    • Salary tendency in China starting from period of reforms and openings • Where to get skilled labor in China: opinion of the experts • Is China still interested in Russian employees? • I want to work in China. Challenges for expats. Interview with Sergey Ustinov (Yandex China) • What to choose - private or state-owned company: difference in candidates’ behavior • How to pass interview in China
  • Practicing and case studies (Part 1)
    • Communication game • Culture game • Business game
  • Practicing and case studies (Part 2)
    • Communication game • Culture game • Business game
  • Tax, audit and accounting in the PRC
    • Role of the huaqiao in China’s business • Is it easy to take credit in China?
  • Tax system in China and Russia
    • Main difference in tax systems of Russia and China • Which country choose for business: China vs Russia
  • Practice
    • Calculating personal tax in China, • VAT refunding: rules and examples
  • E-commerce in China
    • Main trends in China’s e-commerce • How to manage with Alibaba platform • E-trading as new business channel for Russian companies. Case of Librederm and Natura Siberica • Holidays as opportunity: Chinese New Year, Golden week, 11.11 and etc. Case of Alibaba • Big data as separate business
  • Practice (Part 1)
    • How to open online shop on Taobao. Opinion of the expert
  • Practice (Part 2)
    • How to open online shop on Taobao. Opinion of the expert
  • How to manage with Chinese partners (Part 1)
    • Associations, conferences and exhibitions as main source of finding new partners • Main tips for visiting exhibitions
  • How to manage with Chinese partners (Part 2)
    • Checking factories in China • Mechanism of negotiations with Chinese partners • How to became a distributor of Chinese goods. Main challenges
  • Negotiations style
    • How to prepare to the meeting with Chinese partners • Does contracts matter? • Main topics to discuss • Dress code • Entertainment: restaurants, KTV and bars • Negations before and after signing the contract
  • Practice in negotiating with Chinese partners (Part 1)
    • Chinese colleagues and bosses
  • Practice in negotiating with Chinese partners (Part 2)
    • Analysis of typical mistakes made by foreigners
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking In-class participation
  • non-blocking Essay
  • non-blocking Group Presentation
  • non-blocking Individual Presentation
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.25 * Essay + 0.25 * Group Presentation + 0.25 * In-class participation + 0.25 * Individual Presentation
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • China’s 40 Years of Reform and Development : 1978–2018. (2018). Netherlands, Europe: ANU Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.ADA01123
  • Fernando Dias Simões. (2016). Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Development in China: The Role of Behavioral Sciences in Environmental Policymaking. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.E2A15807
  • Garnaut, R., Song, L., Yao, Y., & Wang, X. (2015). Private Enterprise in China. Australia, Australia/Oceania: Asia Pacific Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.D1A086A9
  • HUANG, K. G. (2010). China’s Innovation Landscape.
  • Wang, H. K. H. (2018). Business Negotiations in China : Strategy, Planning and Management. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1662142
  • Wang, X. (2016). Social Media in Industrial China. UCL Press.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • China’s technological rise : challenges to U.S. innovation and security : hearing before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, first session, April 26, 2017. (2017). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsgpr&AN=edsgpr.001020818
  • Lihua Ma, Hong Chen, Huizhe Yan, Lifeng Wu, & Wenbin Zhang. (2019). Food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of street food vendors and consumers in Handan, a third tier city in China. BMC Public Health, (1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7475-9