| CODE | PPL4100 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Public Policy for Business | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces first-year MBA candidates to the intricate, multi-stranded relationship between business and public policy. It is divided into three sections. The first examines why neither markets nor states can exist in the absence of the other. Beginning with this essentially symbiotic relationship, it considers the causes of friction and conflict between the two. The second section examines how policy is made, within and above the state, and taking account of the roles played by legislatures, governments, judicial decisions, regulatory authorities, international bodies such as the World Trade Organisation and the European Commission, ratings agencies, NGOs and transnational corporations. The third section reviews how business attempts to influence public policy and public officials: it considers the role of business associations, the growing prominence of business leaders in electoral politics, business financing of political parties and candidates, the phenomenon of corruption and similar issues. Each section will comprise approximately two lectures setting out the core ideas and issues, followed by at least two case studies drawn from Maltese experience. Study-unit Aims: The principal aim of this study-unit is to equip prospective business leaders in Malta with a thorough understanding of policy-making, especially in so far as public policy impinges upon business. It is intended to challenge the superficial and potentially dangerous stereotypes that private sector managers and entrepreneurs often have in regard to politics, government and public officials, and to help them understand how public policy helps markets to function, and business to generate wealth. It will also help them to understand how business enterprise or leaders may legitimately seek to influence policy choices. The study-unit is designed especially for Maltese students working in the Maltese business environment, which is characterised by a large government sector, small domestic market and an economy which is integrated into the EU's Single Market. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain clearly the complex, multi-strand relationship between business and government, markets and public policy; - Trace the origin of policy choices that affect business interests, identify the interests and political forces which shaped the content of the policy, and appraise the efficiency of the policy-making process; - Examine the ethical issues associated with a business association's attempt to influence the content and outcome of a policy proposal; - Appraise the likely interest of policy-makers in selected business decisions, such as bank lending to property developers. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss, research and write case studies dealing with some facet of the relationship between business and public policy; - Write cogent, evidence-based analyses of policy proposals for use by business associations seeking to influence policy-makers. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Fukuyama, F. 1995. Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity. Hamish Hamilton. - Landes, D. 1999. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. Abacus. - Ohmae, K. 1999. The Borderless World: Power and Strategy in the Interlinked Economy. Harper Business. Journals (these titles contain numerous articles of interest): - Business and Society. - Entrepreneurship and Regional Development. - Journal of Democracy (contains a series of recent articles by Francis Fukuyama dealing with ethical issues in the relationship between business and public policy). - Journal of Economic History. - Journal of Public Policy and Marketing. - Policy Sciences. Reference: - Neal, L & J G Williamson. 2014. The Cambridge History of Capitalism (Vols 1 and 2). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | George Vital Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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