This module initially examines international business environments and internationalisation strategies. The former includes the study of regional economic integration and institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and their implications for businesses. The latter covers internationalisation theories and concepts, and how firms could use them to formulate appropriate internationalisation strategies. The module then explores issues of culture and examines their relevance to international management. In addition, it will develop your skills of research, analysis, observation and communication in multicultural contexts. You will work in groups to apply theories and concepts learnt in the module to a real company.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Scheduled teaching and learning will comprise tutor-led activities complemented by student-led activities and will include discussions, case analyses and group work. In addition to scheduled sessions, student learning will be supported through Canvas materials and tasks, and other media links. A major element of learning for this module will be via an independent field project through which students will have the opportunity to apply their ethnographic research skills on the subject of culture on an individual basis, and also as a member of a small project group. Students may also be required to undertake presentations of debates on specific current issues and presentations of findings on specific international business problems. Students may also be asked to apply their analytical skills to any international business problems which arise during the course.
Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is compulsory. Any students not attending a minimum of 80% of their timetabled sessions will be at risk of academic failure or termination from the course.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | A combination of lectures and tutorials | 66 |
| Guided independent study | 234 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Formative assessment will include verbal feedback in lectures and tutorials or via Canvas on given tasks, data and materials analysed, observed and discussed by students. Summative assessment will comprise the following:
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Understand the major interpretations of culture, identity and ethnicity. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| 2) Apply ethnographical approaches for interpreting culture in given contexts and analyse the ways in which the study of culture applies to international business. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| 3) Develop cultural awareness and communication skills for being able to operate in different and/or mixed cultural contexts, team-working and ethnographic research. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| 4) Demonstrate an understanding of the key economic trends, policies and institutions in the international economy and analyse the factors influencing the development of international business. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| 5) Assess the impacts of international business environment on international business decisions of firms and apply analytical frameworks to assess internationalisation decisions of firms. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| 6) Understand and appreciate the limitations of the theories of trade, foreign exchange markets and foreign direct investment. | Online tests Group assignment Individual examination |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Online tests | Written Exam 1 | 20% |
| Group assignment | Coursework | 30% |
| Individual examination | Written Exam 2 | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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Hill, C. W. L. Global Business Today. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Boyacigiller, N. A. et al, 2003. Crossing Cultures. Routledge.
Dicken, P. Global Shift, London: Sage Publications.
Dunning, J. H. The Globalisation of Business. London: Routledge.
Gudykunst, W. B. Bridging Differences: Effective Intergroup Communication. London: Sage Publications.
Hall, B. J. Among Cultures: The Challenge of Intercultural Communication. Thomson Wadsworth.
Hatch, M. J. Organization Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hatch, M. J. and Schultz, M. Organizational Identity: A Reader. Oxford University Press.
Hill, C. W. L. International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. McGraw-Hill.
Lane, H. W., DiStefano, J. and Maznevski, M. L. International Management Behavior: Text, Readings and Cases. Blackwell.
Mead, R. Cases and Projects in International Management: Cross-Cultural Dimensions. Blackwell.
Mead, R. and Andrews, T. G. International Management. John Wiley & Sons.
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Ricks, D. A. Blunders in International Business. Blackwell Publishing.
Guibernau, M. and Rex, J., eds. The Ethnicity Reader: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. Polity Press.
Featherstone, M. Global Culture: Nationalism, Globalization and Modernity. Sage Publications.
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Schneider, S. C. and Barsoux, J. L. Managing Across Cultures. Pearson Education
Usunier, J. C. International and Cross-Cultural Management Research. Sage Publications.
Wright, S. Anthropology of Organizations. Routledge.