Introductory description

Student should develop a critical understanding of the major global trends and issues facing business in the 21st century; be able to respond to a challenge-led competition to win the “WBS – For the Future Prize” by working on a group-based assignment; develop a variety of transferable CORE and module specific skills.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

An indicative syllabus is based on the following lecture titles:

• Economic growth vs. sustainable development
• Doing business in emerging and developed countries
• Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Ecological, and Legal Environment of Business
• Cultural competence in global business
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Global megatrends and mega challenges
• Strategic implementation of the UN SDGs
• Strategic thinking and planning – skills and tools
• Stakeholder engagement
• Embedding sustainability in strategy

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the importance and impact of socio-economic, political, technological and ecological factors on the global business environment of the 21st century.
• Understand the nature and significance of global megatrends and grand challenges for business.
• Practical engagement with the Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals as an international framework for action.
• Understanding of how to apply strategic tools to analyse international challenges in business.
• Work effectively in teams, build interpersonal relations and leadership skills.
• Demonstrate written and oral skills for business presentation and communication.
• Practice entrepreneurial thinking, creativity and curiosity skills.
• Practice critical thinking and informed judgement.

Indicative reading list

A Talis Reading List has been created which includes a wide range of reports, datasets, books and articles on the key themes and
issues of relevance to this module. The following texts are indicative recommendations only and may be subject to change:
Brooks, I., Weatherston, J., & Wilkinson, G., MBA. (2011). The international business environment: Challenges and
changes (2nd ed.). Financial Times/Prentice Hall.

Business & Sustainable Development Commission (2017). Better Business - Better World. The report of the Business &
Sustainable Development Commission. January 2017. http://report.businesscommission.org/

• Hamilton, L., & Webster, P. (2015). The international business environment (Third ed.). Oxford University Press.
  Hill, C. W. L. (2021). International business: Competing in the global marketplace (International student;Thirteenth; ed.).
  McGraw Hill.

House, R., Javidan, M., Hanges, P. & Dorfman. (2002). Understanding cultures and implicit leadership theories across the
globe: and introduction to project GLOBE. Journal of World Business, 37, 3-10

Kirkman, B.L., Lowe, K.B., & Gibson, C. (2017). A retrospective on "Culture´s Consequences": the 35-year journey. Journal of
International Business Studies, 48(1), 12-29.

• Ritzer, G. (2015). Globalization: A basic text (Second ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2019:
  https://s3.amazonaws.com/sustainabledevelopment.report/2019/2019_sustainable_development_report.pdf

The oxford handbook of international business strategy (2021). In Meyer K., Narula R., Surdu I. and Verbeke A.(Eds.), . Oxford
University Press USA - OSO.

• UN Global Compact & Accenture, 2019: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/news/4481-09-24-2019.
  Verbeke, A. & Lee, I. 2022, International business strategy: rethinking the foundations of global corporate success, Third edn,
  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Lecture slides also include a variety of references and links for further reading. Readings include a wide range of reports and
assessments provided by consultancies, government agencies, think tanks, and other sources. These are further complemented
by topical news articles and other media reports posted live on the module forum page.

Subject specific skills

• Analyse, combine and compare interdisciplinary knowledge.
• Develop strategic thinking skills.
• Be aware of the importance of global, political, economic, technological, legal, ecological and social factors shaping the business environment of the 21st century.

Transferable skills

• Work effectively in teams, build interpersonal relations and leadership skills.
• Demonstrate written and oral skills for business presentation and communication.
• Practice entrepreneurial thinking, creativity and curiosity skills.
• Practice critical thinking and informed judgement.
• Appreciate the difference between strategic thinking and strategic implementation and the importance of making ethical and sustainable decisions.