Economic Geography: Global Production Networks

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The course explores different perspectives on globalization and analyzes the geography of global production networks. More specifically, the course focuses on core concepts and theories related to global production networks, global value chains, multinational corporations, as well as offshoring and outsourcing. International publications on foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade data, as well as information retrieved from public databases are used to analyze and evaluate the organization and geography of global production networks. To conclude, the course addresses how changes in the external environment and the emergence of new technologies affect the transformation of global production networks in different industries, regions and countries.

After passing the course, students shall be able to:

1. explain key concepts in global production networks and discuss different economic perspectives on globalization,
2. analyze and present information retrieved from public databases and reports,
3. analyze spatial patterns of global production and consumption in different industries and identify the factors that shape these networks,
4. discuss the effects of global production networks on the economy and the environment from a regional and national perspective.

Lectures, seminars and excursion.
Language of instruction: English

Learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4 are examined through a written exam.
Learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4 are examined through a group assignment and participation in seminars where the assignments are presented and discussed.

An assignment that does not meet the requirements for Pass (G) needs to be revised in order to meet the minimum requirements. A revised assignment must be submitted for re-assessment within the prescribed time.

Compulsory attendance Attendance at the seminars and in the excursion is mandatory. A student who does not attend a mandatory seminar or excursion may be granted a make-up assignment, which must be completed within the specified time frame. A student who has been absent from more than one of the mandatory course components cannot pass the course.

Due to resource constraints, seminars and excursion can only be performed and assessed within the course dates.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

To pass the course, a student must have achieved all learning outcomes. This means a passing grade (A-E) on the written exam, a passing grade (A-E) on the assignment including seminar and presentation and participation in the excursion. Points on the written exam and the assignment are added together and translated into grade (A-F) for the course.

Grade (Definition) Characteristic:
A (Excellent) A distinguished result that is excellent with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

B (Very good) A very good result with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

C (Good) The result is of a good standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought and lives up to expectations.

D (Satisfactory) The result is of a satisfactory standard with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

E (Sufficient) The result satisfies the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought, but not more.

F (Fail) The result does not meet the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

Some occasional examination elements of the course may have the grading scale UG (Fail/Pass).

A course evaluation is conducted anonymously either digitally via the course website or via a written questionnaire handed out at the last scheduled meeting of the course or in connection with the exam. The results of the evaluation are to be communicated to students via the course committee and course website.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The School of Business, Economics and Law has an AI policy regarding the use of generative AI or similar tools. General rules and guidelines for the use of such tools are published and updated on the course's learning platform together with specific provisions applicable to this course.