BUSINESS ETIQUETTE AS A TOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS STUDENTS’ SOFT SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Business etiquette and protocol awareness help create an efficient business environment, which enhances productivity and cooperation. Successful application of business etiquette norms helps companies achieve a desirable result and implement a specific purpose. Furthermore, knowledge of cultural peculiarities and specific national etiquette features enables one to predict partners' reactions and attitudes to a business offer and overcome communication hindrances internationally. The paper elaborates on the significance of business etiquette and protocol for the development of the soft skills of the students of international economic relations programs. This research is relevant since the literature review revealed a need for more research on how business etiquette and protocol knowledge and skills affect competence in international economic relations. The analysis of the recent studies clearly showed the growing interest in the role of business etiquette and protocol in improving the soft skills of the students of economics and business programs; however, there needs to be more research in the international economic relations area. The paper's primary focus is the course program Business Etiquette and Protocol developed by the author; the course is intended for the fourth-year students of the international economic relations program of West Ukrainian National University. The course's main objective is to develop students' abilities and skills to communicate efficiently and provide professional activity in the field of international economic relations. This research informs the existing literature regarding the role of business etiquette and protocol in developing soft skills for future graduates of international economic relations and the need to include this subject in the curriculum. The prospect for further research is to specify which business etiquette skills the prospective employers expect to see from the graduates of international economic relations programs to meet the changing demand of the job market.