module specification

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic and operational dimensions of international business within the context of globalisation. You will critically explore the key drivers behind global integration—such as technological change, trade liberalisation, and evolving market dynamics—and assess how these forces shape the structure and evolution of international business operations. The module situates international business within a broader institutional framework, examining how cultural, political, legal, and ethical environments influence business decisions across borders.

This module offers a critical and comprehensive examination of the strategic and operational dimensions of international business in the context of globalisation. You will explore the key drivers of global integration, such as technological innovation, trade liberalisation, and shifting market dynamics, and evaluate how these forces influence the structure and evolution of international business operations. The module situates international business within a broader institutional landscape, enabling you to assess how cultural, political, legal, and ethical environments shape global business decision-making.

As the global marketplace becomes increasingly interconnected and competitive, you will engage with a variety of strategic frameworks to analyse international market entry strategies, organisational design, and the management of core business functions, including marketing, human resources, finance, and supply chain operations. Through the use of real-world case studies and interactive learning methods, you will develop a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by multinational enterprises.

This module contributes to a range of business-focused undergraduate and postgraduate pathways by developing your global mindset, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural competence. It prepares you to operate effectively in diverse international contexts and equips you with essential skills for careers in international management, consultancy, entrepreneurship, and related fields.

To meet the learning objectives, you will aim to:
1. Understand the impact of globalisation on international business strategies and organisational structures.
2. Analyse the influence of cultural, political, legal, and ethical environments on global business decision-making.
3. Apply strategic frameworks to assess global market entry strategies and the effective management of international business functions.

No prerequisites.

An Overview and current trends of international business and emerging market (LO1)
An Analysis of Selected Emerging Markets in the world- new global challengers (LO 1)
The changing economic environment in emerging markets, digital technology and its impact on the international business (LO2,3)
Analysis of the Political, Legal and Cultural framework in emerging markets and implications on decision making  (LO2, LO3, LO4)
Foreign Investment Opportunities and changing trends in international business and taking advantage of opportunities in emerging markets (LO3, LO4)
Assessing Risks and Opportunities in Emerging Economies Challenges in emerging markets, digital technology and their firms (LO3, LO4)
The practice of International Business Negotiations (LO3, LO4)
Developing International Managerial capabilities (LO3, LO4)

This Global Business module is designed to blend scheduled teaching activity with independent study to promote both theoretical understanding and practical application. Scheduled learning typically includes face-to-face and/or online contact hours each week, delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, flipped classrooms, guided learning activities, discussion groups, and online sessions. These sessions aim to facilitate critical engagement with core topics such as globalisation, institutional influences, strategic entry modes, and the management of international business functions.

The scheduled teaching is complemented by a significant proportion of independent study, where students are expected to undertake self-directed research, case study analysis, and reflective activities that reinforce the taught content. A variety of multimedia resources, including videos, podcasts, guest speaker sessions, virtual lectures, and self-assessment tools, will support students in developing a global mindset and applying strategic frameworks to real-world business scenarios.

Learning is further enriched through student-centred activities, such as debates and experiential discussions, which encourage active engagement with cross-cultural and ethical complexities in international business. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and observations of leadership and global business operations, applying these insights to their academic and professional development.

The virtual learning environment (Weblearn) will be integral to module delivery, serving both as a repository for teaching materials and as a platform for interaction, formative feedback, and ongoing communication between students and tutors. Overall, the module supports an effective balance between guided instruction and independent learning to foster critical thinking and practical competence in global business.LO4

The students’ learning progress is assessed using formative and summative assessments strategies to gather information how the student learning is progressed using two-way information flows – feedforward/feedback. The formative assessment will be continuous throughout the teaching period. The first summative assessment is undertaken through weekly progress review (also has a formative nature). The task is practice of negotiation skills which will have a 20% weight. The second summative assessment is a Group Poster (with individual assessment elements) and cultural exhibition. The peer observation of posters and feedback will have a 1000 words written essay/report. This part of the assessment will have 80% weighting. (Total word count = 1000)

LO 1: Critically evaluate the drivers and impact of globalization on the evolution and structure of international businesses operating in sustainable environment. 

LO 2: Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts, models and a range of analytical tools appropriately and strategically for managers operating in diverse environments and in relation to the use/application of digital technology

LO 3: Apply strategic frameworks to assess entry strategies, organisational structures, and functional operations (e.g., marketing, HRM, finance, and supply chain) in a global business and digital technology context.

LO4: Develop competence and managerial skills needed to search, handle and interpret information (including digital) relevant in the analysis of modern business organisations operating internationally.
 

Reading List
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/72F36EF1-EF33-5B29-C4DB-1FE91CF9EED3.html?lang=en-GB&login=1.

TBC

Core Textbooks:

Wild, J.J., Wild, K.L. & Han, J.C.Y., 2016. Introduction to global business: understanding the international environment & global business functions. Boston: Cengage Learning. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central [Accessed 19 June 2025].

Cavusgil, Knight, and Riesenberger (2020) International Business: The New Realities, 4th Edition, Global Edition, Harlow, Pearson Education (E-book)

Guay, T.R. (2014) The Business Environment of Europe: Firms, Governments, and Institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Other texts:
GRIFFIN, R. W., & PUSTAY, M. W. (2019). International business. Global edition Harlow, Pearson Education. (its Ebook) Daniels, J D, Radebaugh, L H & Sullivan, D P (2020) International Business – Environments and Operations, New Jersey, USA: Pearson Prentice Hall (E-book)

Journals and periodicals:
• International Business Review; Journal of International Business Studies; Management
• International Review; Management Today; The Professional Manager
• International Business Review
• Journal of International Business Studies
• Management International Review
• Management Today
• The Professional Manager

African entrepreneurs special FT reports available at http://www.ft.com/reports/african-entrepreneurs http://europa.eu - this one does not require you to subscribe but has numerous other links and portals of its own. http://www.eubusiness.com - SUBSCRIBE TO THIS ONE FOR FREE IMMEDIATELY!!! http://www.oecd.org - SUBSCRIBE TO THIS ONE FOR FREE NOW, TO RECEIVE REGULAR STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS UPDATES EACH MONTH http://www.wto.org - World Trade Organization portal - essential for news, stats and all updates on international agreements http://www.worldbank.org - the portal to the Fund, not the Bank (I know, confusing!)
http://www.imf.org - the portal to the Bank, not the Fund (I know, even more confusing!) http://www.weforum.org - a major annual forum with a portal filled with reports, videos, analysis - with a unique remit compared with WTO, World Bank and IMF
Financial Times, n.d. Special reports: African entrepreneurs. [online] Available at: http://www.ft.com/reports/african-entrepreneurs [Accessed 19 June 2025].
European Union, n.d. EU homepage. [online] Available at: http://europa.eu [Accessed 19 June 2025].
EUbusiness, n.d. EU business portal. [online] Available at: http://www.eubusiness.com [Accessed 19 June 2025].
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), n.d. Official website. [online] Available at: http://www.oecd.org [Accessed 19 June 2025].
World Trade Organization (WTO), n.d. WTO portal. [online] Available at: http://www.wto.org [Accessed 19 June 2025].
World Bank, n.d. Official World Bank website. [online] Available at: http://www.worldbank.org [Accessed 19 June 2025].
International Monetary Fund (IMF), n.d. Official IMF website. [online] Available at: http://www.imf.org [Accessed 19 June 2025].
World Economic Forum (WEF), n.d. Official website. [online] Available at: http://www.weforum.org [Accessed 19 June 2025].