International Programme

1. Managing Across Cultures (5 ECTS)

This course is designed to develop a deeper understanding of the issues in managing across cultures. First, we will question the importance and relevance of culture in communication and management practice. Second, we will explore methods for discovering culture and develop a framework to diagnose culture whether national, corporate, functional, etc. Third, we will examine the impact of culture on communication strategy, structure, and human resource management. Next, we will evaluate different approaches to managing cultural differences and question the role of managers and companies in a global economy. Finally, we will study international strategies and, given the growing importance of emerging economies, a special focus will be placed on business issues in BRIC economies.

2. Human Resources Management (4 ECTS)

The course discusses HR processes (HR planning, staff hiring, performance management, staff development, professional evolution, compensation, etc.) and their application at work. An integrated HR management model is presented. Case studies and exercises are often used to apply the knowledge gained within a professional context.

3. Advanced organizational behavior OB2 (2 ECTS)

This advanced organizational behavior course is addressed to anyone who wants to pursue a career in business. It requires a good understanding of theories and relevant research in the field of psychology applied to organizational behavior. Key emphasis will be placed on: well-being at work, power, leadership, innovation, change and group dynamics. On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Implement the knowledge acquired from DHO1 and integrate it in this course
• Identify the source and different forms of power and authority
• Identify the forces that require organisations to change and choose practices for implementing the changes
• Understand leadership theories and examine the key variables that determine the effectiveness of leadership in practice
• Appreciate health and well-being in the workplace
• Be capable of analysing work teams and interpersonal behaviour

4. Global Markets and Cultural Diversity (5 ECTS)

The module addresses the global issues and describes concepts relevant to those dealing with the international market by emphasizing the development of basic skills that enable students to manage effectively across cultures. Through case studies about real companies facing cross-cultural issues on the international markets students learn how to evaluate international marketplace potential and risk to develop and deliver goods and services of meaningful customer value.

The course also uses “learning-by-doing” approach and requires students to conduct an international marketing project.

5. Business Strategy (2 ECTS, to be confirmed)

This course equips students with the strategic concepts and the business tools, a focus on globalization, innovation and sustainability. These three strategic issues comprise the cornerstone that all organizations must build upon to push their businesses forward.
Through case studies, exercises and workshops, students will have the opportunity to place themselves into the role of a strategic decision maker and put theory into practice.

7. International Financial Consolidation (2 ECTS)

This course will help students to understand the basic objectives and techniques of financial consolidation in national and international groups: legal background, major sets of rules (Swiss RPC, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), scope and methods of consolidation, adjustments to local accounts, intercompany eliminations and the preparation of consolidated financial statements. This course is not an advanced course on IFRS and is available in French and in English. It will include numerous exercises and case studies..

8. International Innovation Management (5 ECTS)

Innovation is increasingly the source of sustainable competitive advantage for firms around the world. However, building an organization to successfully and repeatedly bring innovations to market is a difficult managerial challenge. In this course we focus on the practices and processes that managers use to manage innovation effectively. It explores the role of innovation in corporate and business unit growth strategy as well as in start-up development. Different approaches to innovation are discussed, leveraging examples and cases in consumer product industries, SME’s and start-ups. Subsequently, the “state-of-the-art” internal innovation capabilities which are required to outperform competition are discussed. These capabilities include innovation processes, consumer/customer insights, portfolio management, organizational governance. The course uses a “learning-by-doing” approach and requires students to conduct a real project realized with a start-up or SME. 
NB : An optional trip to companies in the Silicon Valley will take place after the semester. Exchange students participating on the course are also welcome, although they will need to pay for it.

9. Market Power (9 ECTS)

Warning : this course is given partly in French but is deemed suitable for non-French speakers. All the content is provided by the teacher in English, while conferences, interviews and the like are often given in English. Students can express themselves, write their reports and do their presentations in English. 

During this course you will learn how to creatively develop and market innovative products or services that fulfill real market demand. The main objective is to acquire an effective and agile Innovation Mindset and Product Development skill set by working on real projects. The approach is based on Customer Development where in the first place, market needs are discovered through field research with Design Thinking, Value Proposition and Business Model Design tools. In the second phase, products will be designed, prototyped and tested directly on the market through real marketing and sales. You will learn and practice several Marketing and Sales Techniques and you will use tools from Lean Startup to measure (and improve) market traction in order to quickly converge towards Product-Market Fit. You will work in teams on real projects and you are expected to collaborate with engineering labs to source the necessary technology for developing their products or services. In summary, with Market Power, you will experience at first hand Lean Product Development by understanding Customers’ Needs and by ideating, designing, prototyping, and testing the value delivered by your products or services.

10. Principles of marketing I (3 ECTS)

The course explores the principal concepts and tools of contemporary marketing management. The course enables students to develop an effective marketing strategy by examining how organisations can reach their objectives through creating and delivering value to their target audience. Students learn by participating in classroom discussions, preparing mini-projects and case studies, including in-the-field activities.

11. Principles of marketing II (3 ECTS)

12. Business English (2 ECTS)

The aim of this course is for students to develop competence and confidence to use both spoken and written English autonomously, strategically, and appropriately in a range of business-related contexts. The courses are based on a range of themes and communication activities. Classes involve hands-on learning in groups, in addition to textual analysis and input on effective language learning and strategic communication in the workplace. Themes covered include corporations, marketing, finance and human resources.

13. Survival French (1 ECTS)

This course is designed to help students acquire basic French to be able to deal with everyday matters while studying in Switzerland and to get to know the local area and culture. It includes hands-on practical activities and all incoming students are encouraged to take this course.

14. German for Business (2 ECTS)

Lernziele sind der mündliche und schriftliche Ausdruck sowie Hörverstehen über komplexere Themen aus den Bereichen Werbung, Messen, Handel. 

Die Kursform ist partizipativ, verbunden mit Arbeit in Kleingruppen und individuellen Übungen. Zusätzlich erlernen die Studierenden Werbeanzeigen zu analysieren.