Either: You work for a municipal/state energy company, which has held a monopoly over power generation and distribution. Now EU directives mean that electricity has to be opened up to competition. The same is true in other neighbouring countries, and a new international grid system makes electricity exchange much easier. Telecomms services are also being opened up to competition. Private multinationals are looking to set up competing power stations, want to buy shares in your company, and have already bought distribution companies in neighbouring countries.

You are a trade union/management team which is considering two proposals.

One is to open discussions on a takeover/joint venture with a multinational, and expect to negotiate a reduction in size to take account of the effect of competition.

The other proposal is that the company should try to form coalitions or mergers with public sector companies in neighbouring municipalities/countries; bid for work in neighbouring municipalities and countries; and set up a new telecomms subsidiary to compete in that market.

Discuss which option to take.

Or: Read the resource materials. Discuss:

why are the state-owned energy companies in Scandinavia internationally active;

why EdF is internationally active;