Introductory description

The premise of this module is that, irrespective of the role you have and what sort of organisation you work in, managers need to understand international business. As we experience a time of changing economic and political boundaries, and potential de-globalisation trends, it is important to understand how macroeconomic changes affect different types of businesses.

Since the mid-2000s, the management of global operations has been increasingly concerned with how businesses may grow sustainably beyond their national borders. In the last few years, various geopolitical trends have influenced (and accentuated) the energy transition, also influencing how firms deal with energy security, geopolitics, exports, socio-political and environmental issues, control over key materials (e.g., lithium) and so on.

At the heart of the study of international business is the multinational corporation, or more commonly, the multinational enterprise (MNE). This module will explore the context of global business strategy and the effect of this increasingly complex context on the interactions between the firm and host market locations.

International Business can be thought of as a series of answers to the questions: Who does what, where and, most importantly, why?

What explains international location choices and partnership decisions? What structures do firms put in place?
How do they make these decisions? Are the choices made by firms socially responsible and sustainable?
What happens if international activities are unsuccessful? How can firms manage uncertainty associated with different host market contexts?
How do trade wars and political unrest between nations impact on international business? How do they affect a firm's behaviours of where to go and how to operate there?
What are MNEs' sustainability responses in different communities?
Together, we will dig deeper into the questions posed above (and more) to better understand the global environment of firms, which will influence their current and future performance.

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.

Globalisation and Multinational Enterprise
Trade and Foreign Direct Investment
Global and Regional Integration, International Financial Markets and Institutions
International Culture
Global Competitive Advantage
Global Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Strategy and Structure
Selecting the Market and Entry Mode, Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
Culture, Negotiation Strategy
Emerging Economies and Risk Assessment
International Joint Ventures

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate an understanding of the main theories explaining patterns, processes and practices of internationalisation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how global economic government institutions act as important influences on the strategic options facing international firms.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of emerging markets
• Critically appraise an appropriately select analytical frameworks (e.g. those which explain and predict country investment (FDI) attractiveness).
• Critically assess the sources of relative national comparative advantage and how these relate to the competitive advantages of multinational firms
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, and the threats and opportunities, for a firm in a particular global industry context

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Students will conduct online research into changing opportunities for international business investment and restructuring

International

The main aim of the module is to build on participants’ knowledge of the global economic and business environment and link this to strategies for managing in changing global contexts.

Subject specific skills

Perform a country analysis and develop a market-entry strategy
Select and apply specific analytical frameworks from a range of approaches that help solve common international management problems.
Recommend an international corporate strategy and an appropriate global organisation structure

Transferable skills

Demonstrate a range of skills developed during teamwork
Written communication