module specification

The module primarily explores the decision-making process behind the organisation and management of operations and resources typically scattered around the globe.
A simulation provides a hands-on experience of formulating decisions informed by applying knowledge of international business theory and management tools, to develop successful strategies for entering international markets and managing business operations there.
While the balance of geopolitical influences is tilting and the role and intervention of global institutions are being challenged (e.g. in the context of Brexit), the business community still sees major economic groupings like Europe’s single market as useful launch pads to internationalisation. The module examines the European Union (EU) policy-making processes and relevant legal principles that govern how businesses operate and manage their supply chains within the Union market and beyond.
Finally, the module explores the participation of business in international lobbying and civil society at the heart of the EU institutions (thereby fulfilling an essential feedback role in policy-making).
Thus, the student can reflect critically on what makes an effective international business manager: in analysing and processing data for making commercial decisions; in interpreting changes in the regulatory and geopolitical environments to review their strategies; in managing information flows for securing competitive advantage, innovation and value-creation.

Level 4 of Business Management or International Business Management

The module’s syllabus is structured around main themes that build an understanding of transnational business management:

• International trade and investment – push and pull factors of globalisation, business opportunities in emerging markets; management response – flexibility and responsiveness of the organisation LO1
• Economic integration through liberalisation of trade and trans-border movements – driving internationalisation of firms and the creation of trading blocs LO1
• Understanding Europe’s special situation in the development and management of transnational business – historical, legal, institutional, economic and political development of the single European market LO1,LO2
• Europe’s single market and beyond: a launch pad for globalising firms – developing world standards, global competition, global competitiveness, practical applications and solutions of EU law to transnational business management problems LO1,LO2,LO3
• The management of supply chains internationally – issues, models and practices LO1,LO2,LO3

Indicative content below will enable the achievement of the learning outcomes:
• Issues in international trade, economic development in the world today LO1
• Challenges of globalisation to business, government and societies – the responses of firms, governments and international institutions LO1
• Principles, purposes and practices in economic integration around the world – the special case of Europe, and beyond LO1
• Key elements of the single European market (SEM), such as harmonisation and competition. The challenges of harmonisation and integration in the single market; and impacts on European firms, industries and markets LO1,LO2,LO3
• Global supply chain management and the value-chain: international, multinational and transnational management of business operations – strategic and operational implications for management LO1,LO2
• Key sources of EU law governing transnational business management; key principles of EU law: Supremacy, Direct Effect, Indirect Effect, and State Liability LO2
• Free movement of goods within the EU (tariffs, non-tariffs and tax barriers); free movement of persons within the EU (EU citizens, workers and derivative rights of their families); freedom to provide services and right of establishment; rights of self-employed, recognition of qualifications, rights of providers and recipients of services LO2
• EU institutions and policy-making: their role in creating the single European market, and the impact of specific policies on competition ad matters related to social, regional and industrial competitiveness for firms and consumers, especially in the context of globalisation – EU legal measures ensuring that competition is not distorted within the Union market: anti-competitive behaviour by cartel, abuse of a dominant position, merger control; equal treatment of various groups of EU workers; EU consumer protection laws LO2,LO3
• EU Lobbying – Europeanisation of the business environment and the importance of institutional opportunity networks in framing EU decision- and policy-making; role of lobbyists at national, EU and international levels; role of the European Economic and Social Committee; the importance of developing lobbying strategy LO3

Teaching is delivered through a distributive blended learning model using the BlackBoard / Weblearn Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to explore themes and identify issues typical of transnational business.
Weekly class contact is 3 hours, i.e. only 30 per cent of the total module learning hours. Classes comprise of a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour tutorial.
Lectures are released gradually through the VLE to convey the key principles and themes from which specific questions will emerge. Extensive additional resources are also embedded in the VLE which students can access at any time and which they will utilise during class contact time to work both collaboratively and individually.

Students are expected to spend at least 1-2 hours on top of each weekly contact hour on self-directed and collaborative work (reading, discussions and own/group research, and assessment). Tutorials will provide the base from which this work can start and build. At each weekly class students will receive ‘Home Study’ questions to help them prepare for the next class. Tutors will emphasize the importance of good work ethic throughout: students will be able to make the most of the time in class only if they go through the material (articles, texts, case study, video and so on) before class and look at the suggested questions themselves before the group meets. This way they will be much more benefit to others as they make their contributions during the discussion, and get more out of each session personally. There will be enough time to discuss questions and issues arising from their own study.
The case study approach, a major feature of Business and Management education (Preston J, [ed], 1993, p.6) will help students work out the practical applications of theoretical principles in a variety of contexts. Case studies will encourage them to develop collaborative and self-directed learning skills.

Students will also be researching and exploring organisations facing special challenges as they become international and evolve among global industries. The aim here is to develop their sense of observation, understanding and critical evaluation of international business processes and practices. Visiting speakers may present more in-depth topics to help them appreciate the far-reaching consequences of globalisation for economies and societies.

The assessment is designed to build student confidence through exercises for which they will receive formative feedback before completing assignments that will count towards the final grade.

The module’s teaching and learning strategy was designed to develop the following set of skills: academic reading; academic writing; evaluating sources; problem solving and application; critical thinking and analysis; communication - interpersonal working with others; self-assessment and reflection, career management.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Identify the key success factors for entering international markets, and organising, managing and controlling activities around the world (LO1)
• Distinguish areas of EU law relevant to transnational business management situations, to produce solutions to problems arising (LO2)
• Demonstrate competent gathering of intelligence to exploit institutional opportunity networks at EU level for interest representation, participation in policy-making, and sustainable competitiveness (LO3)

Assessment is designed to help students self-evaluate, to aid their decision making, to help them learn from their mistakes and improve performance, and where possible to plan their curriculum and future career.

As outlined in the learning and teaching strategy above, students will be able to prepare for each type of assessment through trial exercises where they will receive formative feedback before completing the assessment items that will count towards the final grade. The weighting of each assessment complies with the Guildhall School of Business and Law’s guidelines on assessment tariff. Guidance will be given in class to ensure appropriate evidence of meeting the learning outcomes considered in each assessment item.
Students are to receive both formative and summative feedback for each assessment within 2 weeks, including the final component.

Collectively the learning outcomes work together to build and enhance student understanding of transnational business management. Assessment will consist of three types of items designed to address each learning outcome: a group-based report, an individual legal case written presentation, and an individual interview (oral). Details for each item are outlined below:

The group written report is to be based on a business simulation to develop strategies for successful market entry and operational management, involving task-based research and a range of communication skills. The report is to be between 1800-2200 words long, worth 40% of overall assessment.
In preparation for this first assessment, students will start an early (week 2) formative assignment on an evaluation of market entry strategies (which is of direct relevance to the objectives of the later work in groups). Feedback will be given (week 4) which will give students the opportunity to discuss with tutors and reflect upon to construct their group report. The group report will therefore constitute a summative element for this part of the module’s assessment.

The individual written research and presentation of advance about a legal case will be derived from group discussions and work on specific problems identified in areas of application of EU Law to transnational business management. This report will constitute a legal advice based on a practical case and be between 1350-1650 words long, worth 30% of assessment.

The individual oral interview will be the opportunity to present a persuasive case for representing the interest of small businesses to a panel of EU officials. Specific areas of interest will be chosen from a shortlist of topics. The oral will be supervised by two members of the module team. The oral is expected to last a maximum of 20 minutes and will count for 30% of assessment.

BUSINESS Core Texts:

Cavusgil S T, Knight G and Riesenberger J R (2017) International Business: The New Realities, Pearson Education, UK: Harlow

Buckley P J, Enderwick, P and Cross, A R (2018) International Business, Oxford University Press, UK: Oxford

Additional reading:

Bartlett C A and Beamish P W (7th edition, 2014) Transnational Management – Texts, Cases and Readings in Cross-Border Management, McGraw-Hill, UK: London.

Frankopan P (2016) The Silk Roads – a New History of the World, UK: London, Bloomsbury

Suder, G (2008) Doing Business in Europe, Sage, UK: London

Key Portals for Business/Law: content also useful in other modules and for career planning/development

http://www.europa.eu – free – internal and external links to other portals
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/j_6/en/ - free – European Court of Justice
https://europa.eu/european-union/law/find-case-law_en - law case finder
http://www.eubusiness.com – free access and subscription (weekly news)
http://www.oecd.org – free access and subscription (data, publications)
http://www.wto.org – free access (updates and data on trade agreements)
http://www.worldbank.org – free access (see also: www.doingbusiness.org)
http://www.imf.org  - free access
http://www.weforum.org – free – forum with reports, videos, analysis

Databases and online resources (available from the Library):
• For company, country information and market research: Business Source Ultimate; Passport
• E-journals: Academic Search Complete; Emerald Management; Henry Stewart Marketing and Management – examples: European Management Review journal, European Management journal
• Special collections: the Trades Union Congress Library collections (re: Employment Law, Industrial Relations)

LAW Core Text (LATEST EDITION OF):

Fairhurst J, Law of the European Union, Pearson Education Ltd, UK: Harlow

Supplementary reading (latest editions of):

Barnard C The Substantive Law of the EU: the four freedoms, UK: Oxford, Oxford University Press

Berry E, Homewood M J & Bogusz B, EU Law, Text, Cases and Materials, UK: Oxford, Oxford University Press

Conway, G. EU Law, Routledge, UK: London

Foster N EU Law, Oxford University Press, UK : Oxford  - (or latest edition)

Foster N EU Law Directions, Oxford University Press, UK : Oxford

Horspool M European Union Law, Oxford University Press, UK: Oxford

Kaczorowska A European Union Law, Routledge, UK: London

Steiner, J. and Woods, L. EU Law, Oxford University Press, UK: Oxford

Relevant law journals are available from the library (hardcopies) and on-line library resources (e.g. Lexis Library and WestLaw)