IBP Research Topics
ESDES – IBP PROGRAM
Research Topics for « France in the 21st Century: The French Business Context »
Fall 2014:
E-mail address: drussell@psbedu.com
1) Provide an analysis of the events of “May 1968” from a socio-cultural standpoint. What were the origins of this revolutionary movement? Who were the main actors, and what did they demand? What was the impact of these events on the regime of Charles de Gaulle? What were, and are, the long-term impacts on French society of the May ’68 movement?
2) Who was Charles de Gaulle and what was, and is, his impact on French society? What were the sources of his ideas? What was his vision for France? How did he undertake to accomplish this vision, and did he succeed in doing so?
3) Undertake an examination of the relationship of France with the European Union through a historical analysis of the French role in the EU. What were the reasons for French support of the creation of the EU? What are the French goals and expectations with regard to the EU? Have these goals been attained? Why, or why not? What is the source of French ambivalence toward the EU?
4) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French “grande distribution” (retail) industry (stores such as Carrefour, Auchan, LeClerc, etc…). What are the main characteristics (strengths & weaknesses) of French companies in this area, and what strategies do they pursue? Are these strategies successful? What difficulties have they encountered? Pay particular attention to international strategies.
5) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French utilities industry (entities such as Gaz de France, EDF, France Telecom [Orange], Bouygues, etc…). What are the main characteristics (strengths & weaknesses) of French companies in this area, and what strategies do they pursue? Are these strategies successful? What difficulties have they encountered? Pay particular attention to international strategies.
6) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French
Research Topics for « France in the 21st Century: The French Business Context »
Fall 2014:
E-mail address: drussell@psbedu.com
1) Provide an analysis of the events of “May 1968” from a socio-cultural standpoint. What were the origins of this revolutionary movement? Who were the main actors, and what did they demand? What was the impact of these events on the regime of Charles de Gaulle? What were, and are, the long-term impacts on French society of the May ’68 movement?
2) Who was Charles de Gaulle and what was, and is, his impact on French society? What were the sources of his ideas? What was his vision for France? How did he undertake to accomplish this vision, and did he succeed in doing so?
3) Undertake an examination of the relationship of France with the European Union through a historical analysis of the French role in the EU. What were the reasons for French support of the creation of the EU? What are the French goals and expectations with regard to the EU? Have these goals been attained? Why, or why not? What is the source of French ambivalence toward the EU?
4) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French “grande distribution” (retail) industry (stores such as Carrefour, Auchan, LeClerc, etc…). What are the main characteristics (strengths & weaknesses) of French companies in this area, and what strategies do they pursue? Are these strategies successful? What difficulties have they encountered? Pay particular attention to international strategies.
5) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French utilities industry (entities such as Gaz de France, EDF, France Telecom [Orange], Bouygues, etc…). What are the main characteristics (strengths & weaknesses) of French companies in this area, and what strategies do they pursue? Are these strategies successful? What difficulties have they encountered? Pay particular attention to international strategies.
6) Perform a “strategic audit” of the French