While much progress has been made in the last two decades in the practice and teaching of business level strategy, much less attention has been given to corporate level strategy. This course delivers a framework for the formulation and implementation of corporate strategy. In addition, growth strategies via expansion in existing and new industries, internationalization strategies, M&A strategies and other means towards profitable growth are discussed based on real life examples and economic theory.

To top

The aim of the course is to give students an overview of financial innovation offered on capital markets. It covers the most important derivative products on equity, interest rates, and exchange rates. The booming market for alternative risk transfer is also addressed.

To top

This course provides students with an in-depth introduction into investment banking with its different products and services from a practitioner’s perspective. After a first look into the structure of investment banking, a major focus will be on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as the advisory side of the business. It is a main part of the course, covering in particular valuation methods. Equity Capital Markets (ECM), Debt Capital Markets (DCM) and Leveraged Finance are broken down into individual topics and examined in more depth from various angles. At the end of the course, investment banking will be considered in relation to other industries, such as law, accounting, asset management etc. Throughout the course there will be case studies to highlight the actual work and day-to-day business of an investment banker. It is the particular aim of the course to give a close understanding of this dynamic, diverse and constantly changing world in an interactive and realistic manner.

To top

Effective supply chains ought to be aligned with and support the achievement of the firm’s corporate, business and product strategies, taking into account future opportunities and risks. The task of designing and managing supply chains requires that managers apply strategic decision making and leadership skills in a supply chain context. Course topics range from fundamental logistics and supply chain concepts to the development of supply chain typologies, strategies and relationships. Furthermore, the roles and contributions of logistics service firms in supply chain management are discussed.

To top

The course gives an introduction to a modern conception of business ethics, which is based on the idea that ethical values and economic profit are not necessarily in conflict and can even promote each other. The concepts provided will form the basis for the analysis and discussion of ethical problems management is typically confronted with. By using the case study method, different issues such as trust, corruption, environmental protection, child labor, human rights and other problems in the process of globalization are discussed.

To top

Lawyers are trained to resolve disputes through court-based litigation by relying on the legal concepts of “right” and “wrong”, the validity of the claim and the necessity of producing of evidence. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) widens the perspective, enlarges the matter in dispute and seeks to reach a long lasting and sound common agreement between the parties. ADR ranges from negotiation, mediation, conciliation to arbitration. This course teaches students the theoretical foundations of interpersonal communication, negotiation styles and the method of mediation together with the practical skills useful for conducting an interest-based conflict resolution in cooperation with the parties.

To top

The course begins with examining the specialties and technicalities of Banking Law in the context of their economic function. The course also takes into account banking law as a supervisory law and its place in "public" economic law as well as discussing briefly the neighboring field of financial market law. The course mainly focuses on banking law as an important field of application of general private law and commercial law, enabling students to better understand a number of general private law topics. The course concentrates on German law, with some references to European and comparative law.

To top

This course examines the comparative legal infrastructure of financing high-risk, high-technology enterprises in the United States and in the European Community.  Special attention will be devoted to the theory and practice of technology finance, including the incentive mechanisms and control structures used at each stage of technology development transactions.  We will also consider the underlying economic and financial theory of venture capital, while comparing the various national legal regimes and investment environments.  Compensation and taxation considerations will also be explored.

To top

International Litigation II continues the discussion of resolution of disputes by court action, using the same comparative law approach as in the International Litigation I course. Topics adressed include service of process, taking of evidence, and, time allowing, the enforcement of foreign judgments outside of the rendering jurisdiction.

To top

This course addresses the principal business and legal issues in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, including forms and techniques of combining two businesses, takeover defenses, successor liability, negotiation, pricing and other economic terms, due diligence, issuance of securities, duties of managers, corporate governance and social issues (especially important outside the United States).

To top