This course will examine business systems and various forms of entrepreneurship in Europe from a historical perspective. Which business models developed in Europe and why were they successful? What are the consequences and challenges of globalization and the rise of new economies for European entrepreneurship?The Netherlands will be used as a starting point to explore such questions. For centuries the Netherlands has been associated with trade.
One of the world's first multinational corporations was the Dutch United East India Company. Nowadays, the Netherlands is home to various leading international businesses such as Royal Dutch Shell, Ahold, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Philips. Moreover, nearly 8,000 multinational companies have their European headquarters here. This turns the Netherlands into an outstanding starting point to explore the history and identity of European entrepreneurship.During this two-week course international students will explore Dutch and European entrepreneurs from a historical approach. Students will participate in seminars and will get lectures from academic professionals and senior managers from Dutch corporations.
This course will also make use of a variety of case studies which explore the history of leading Dutch multinational corporations in order to examine the structure and success factors of these companies. These Dutch business experiences will be placed in a broader and European historical context. Students will also examine the global market and the increasing influence of non-European businesses.During the course the students will visit Nyenrode Business University, which is the only private university in the Netherlands and was founded by leading Dutch corporations in 1946. A second excursion will take the students to the Heineken brewery in Zoeterwoude where they will get a look in one of the Netherlands' most successful companies.Given the intensity and academic level of the course a good understanding of the English language is mandatory.
Period
30-07-2012 - 10-08-2012 (2 weeks)
Target group
The course has a focus on the humanities and in offering this as a broad framework it is a challenging course for students from all fields of studies with an interest in history and economics.
Course aim
Providing students with insight and expertise in the history of business and entrepreneurship in Europe.
Credits
3.0 ECTS credits
Certificate of Attendance
Course fee
EUR 865: Course + course materials + housing
Course leader
Dr. Jaap Verheul and Maurits Rost, MA
Scholarships
Utrecht Summer School doesn't offer scholarships for this course.
Utrecht University
Address: PO BOX 80148
Postal code: 3508 TC
City: Utrecht
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.utrechtsummerschool.nl
E-mail: summerschool@uu.nl
Phone: 0031302534400
History of Business Systems and Entrepreneurship in Europe
