module specification

This module enables students to understand the dynamics of international business operations. International economic issues influence the formulation of enterprise strategies, and this module gives students the opportunity to understand and discuss the challenges therein for multinational businesses. The aim of this module is to give students a strong understanding of key theories and policies which will be analysed in the light of current international debates.

The module develops an understanding of the international business environment including globalisation of firms’ activities, collaborative ventures and global strategy. The module enables the development of critical awareness of the relative strengths and weaknesses of different forms of economic analysis in the context of the international business environment.

Internationalisation is addressed in all the topics covered in this module.

Students are encouraged to reflect and draw on their diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and experiences.

Equality is promoted by treating everyone with equal dignity and worth, and raising aspirations and supporting achievement for those students with diverse requirements, entitlements and backgrounds.

Nature of International business LO1
The International Business Environment LO1
Theorising multinational business; Dunning, Uppsala, Vernon LO1
Critique of traditional economic theorising; LO1 
alternative theories of the firm, managerial growth models, LO1
UK and international competition policy LO1

Economic integration, customs unions and free trade areas LO2
The globalisation of production and markets LO2
Drivers of globalisation and the globalisation debate LO2
Modes of foreign market entry; exporting, franchising, joint ventures, foreign direct investment through greenfield or acquisition. LO2

Student contact time will normally be 3 hours per week. Lectures and small group seminars will typically be around 2 hours and 1 hour each respectively and will deliver core subject knowledge in international business.  Seminars are designed to allow students to work co-operatively and creatively and develop analytical and problem-solving skills required for the in-class test and coursework.

To this end, the 1-hour seminar will focus on student learning through participation in problem-solving, presentation, group work, discussion of journal articles, empirical data and policy debates. These activities will also enhance students’ professional and transferrable skills such as team-work and communication. The students are expected to engage fully in reflective independent learning and formative feedback will be given at every opportunity to enhance the student skills and learning experience.

Students will get the chance to develop their critical analysis skills during the essay writing exercise and will develop their ability to engage with research published in academic journals. The in-class test assessment will develop students’ ability to engage in independent active learning and take greater responsibility of their learning experience and outcome.

The module will be supported by a virtual learning environment (Weblearn) that contains all the relevant learning and teaching materials such as lecture slides, seminar questions, case studies, guideline answers to case studies and seminar questions, assessment strategy, coursework brief, assessment and grading criteria, deadlines and feedback details.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate the ability to apply various business and economic methods to the
           analysis of the international business environment;

2. demonstrate an understanding of multinational business strategy and operations,
           and the challenges faced by multinational enterprises.

The assessment strategy is a 2000 words individual coursework. The coursework is designed to develop students’ understanding and application of various business and economic methods to the analysis of the international business environment; the conceptual framework of international business in a global environment and the challenges faced by multinational enterprises. The coursework will give students the opportunity to further research on topical issues while applying theoretical understanding. Essay questions are designed to develop critical thinking and the ability to evaluate ethical and policy dimensions of international business. It also enables an understanding of the implications of the globalisation of business.

A feed-forward strategy is used to enable students to improve their final coursework submission. The feed-forward strategy and class discussion of a detailed grading and assessment criteria create an opportunity for dialogue between students and staff and promote a shared understanding of the basis on which academic judgements are made.

Books

Core Texts

1. Hill, C. (2017.) International business, competing in the global market place, 11th
    ed., New York, McGraw-Hill. Aldgate 658.049 HIL

2.  Cavusgil, S.T. et al (2017). International business: strategy, management and the
    new realities, 4th ed., Prentice-Hall. This is an E-Book. Earlier editions are
    available as hard copies at Aldgate 658.049 CAU

3. Sloman J. Hinde K., and Garatt (2010) Economics for Business, 5th ed., Pearson

Other Texts

4. Appleyard D., Field A., and Cobb S. (2017). International Economics, 9th Ed., McGraw Hill. Aldgate 337 APP
5. Dicken, P., (2015). Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy, 7th Edition, Sage. Aldgate 338.0904 DIC
6.Morrison J. (2016) The Global Business Environment, Palgrave Macmillan
     Aldgate 337 MOR
7. Morrison J. (2009). International Business: Challenges in a changing world, Palgrave Macmillan. Aldgate 658.049
8. Salvatore D. (2014). International Economics, 11th Ed., Wiley & Sons.
    Aldgate 337 SAL

Journals:
International Business Review
International Business
Journal of World Business
Research in International Business and Finance
Business Source Complete

Electronic Databases:
Science Direct
Emerald Management eJournals
IngentaConnect
Eurostat, IEA, IMF, OECD, UNIDO and World Bank
Passport