Introductory description

This is an elective module available for WBS and non-WBS students.

To provide an overview of the internationalisation process from the perspective of both MNEs from developed economies and emerging economies.
To understand the wider context of globalization and geo-political shifts within which International businesses operate.
To explore how international firms compete and the importance of innovation/R&D.
To explore the relationship between strategy and structure as firms internationalise.
To provide a distinct understanding of the differences between domestic and international business in particular the role of national and organisational culture and risk assessment when crossing borders.
To understand multinational firms’ R&D strategy and structure, and how an industry’s geography of innovation affects firms’ economy-selection and entry choices.
To provide a thorough understanding of the strategic challenges that the top managers in multinational firms face and the choices that they make.

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.

• Introduction to international business strategy.
• Managing across cultures.
• Internationalization process.
• Cross-border M&A and international joint ventures.
• Multinational strategy and structure.
• Innovation strategy in multinational firms.
• Competing in emerging markets.
• Competing with multinational firms from emerging markets.
• Corporate social responsibilities.
• Revision session.

Learning outcomes

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

• Understanding key issues that top management in multinational firms face.
• Generating intuition about how decisions should be taken.
• Understanding concepts, theories and analytical frameworks that help decision-makers make choices in multinational firms.
• Critical analysis.
• Spotting deeper organizational and strategic problems and arriving at solutions.

Indicative reading list

International Business: Competing in the global marketplace (2019) by Charles W.L. Hill, G. Tomas M. Hult.
Additional Background Reading:
Bartlett, C.A., Ghoshal, S. and Beamish, P. (2008) Transnational Management: Text, Cases and Readings in Cross-Border Management (5th Ed.)
Irwin McGraw- Hill Rugman, A.M. and Brewer, T.L. (eds) (2001) The Oxford Handbook of International Business, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Rugman, A. M. and Collinson, S. (2009) International Business (5th Ed.), Financial Times, Pearson Education, Prentice Hall, Harlow.

Subject specific skills

Strategic decision-making in context of international organizational and operational contexts.
Use of analytical frameworks in context of Int Bus Strategy.

Transferable skills

Problem-solving and analytical skills (case analysis).
Presentation skills.