The Effectiveness of the Economic Diplomacy of the Netherlands. A Study at the Embassy in Slovenia

Mgr. Froukje Zuidema, MSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The sample of companies and organizations on which this study bases its conclusions is very small as it only contains 30 responses. Furthermore, the group of respondents is highly diverse, including both organizations and businesses who are of different sizes and act in different sectors and segments of the market. For these reasons it is difficult to draw reliable and unilateral conclusions.To conclude, this study has shown that good quality and relevant services are provided however when it comes to helping with market access and troubleshooting no solid conclusions can be made. Hence, the economic diplomacy (ED) of the Netherlands at the Embassy is executed in such a way that the goals are reached to a certain extend. Strong internal communication within the ED network of the Netherlands is key. Embassies have access to vital information concerning the local situation and opportunities in the foreign country while the ministries and agencies in the Netherlands have crucial knowledge about the Dutch business world and are closer to the development and the meaning of the policy in terms of ED.

Keywords

economic effectiveness, Dutch business

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 8. 2016

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 24. 8. 2016
• Supervisor: dr. Johan den Hertog, LLM
• Reader: PhDr. Zdeněk Sychra, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / European Governance