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Global Operations Strategy
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:17
Abstract
This course provides a theoretical foundation and essential practical skills for analysing and managing the complexities of companies' international operations. Particular emphasis is placed on fostering students' understanding of strategic decisions related to production networks and their relationship to economic and geopolitical dynamics.
Objective
The general objective of the course is to equip students with the skills and theoretical lenses necessary to navigate strategic issues concerning companies' global operations. Important sub-objectives of the course are: 1. Introducing students to core developments in the globalisation of business operations. 2. Engaging students with different strategic approaches to location decision-making. 3. Familiarising students with various models for analysing production networks. 4. Developing an understanding of how companies' global operations relate to geopolitical dynamics and other global challenges. 5. Providing students with tools and theoretical frameworks to analyse outsourcing decisions. 6. Acquainting students with managerial issues relevant to companies' global operations. Additionally, students gain experience in teamwork, report writing, and presentation.
Content
The course "Global Operations Strategy" provides students with tools and knowledge to help them successfully analyse and engage with the global activities of multinational companies in their future careers. The world of business is changing at a rapid pace, as is the international environment in which it operates, leading to a set of complex challenges that this course addresses. Questions concerning the offshoring, outsourcing, and location of companies' international operations will be discussed in class from an academic perspective and further illustrated by insights from leading industry practitioners. Students will also learn to view the global operations of companies within the context of current industry dynamics, a shifting geopolitical landscape, and pressing global challenges, such as climate change. To reinforce learning, they will complete practically-oriented group case study, which will form the basis for their performance assessment. The course design features academic lectures followed by industry perspectives, allowing students to reflect on academic concepts and synthesise them with insights and experiences from industry leaders. Teaching methods include lectures on key concepts, engaging class discussions, guest contributions from managers, and peer-led case study presentations. Additionally, Q&A sessions and individual feedback sessions for case study groups will be arranged.
Resources
Lecture Notes
See Moodle
Literature
See Moodle
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC , NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Global Operations Strategy |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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