This module is a core requirement for students studying the HND in Business. It aims to introduce you to the international environment within which businesses operate and to provide you with appropriate conceptual models to enable you to apply the learning to understand and analyse real world international business decisions.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the key changes and trends in the international economy
2. analyse the factors influencing the development of international business and the role of international business in shaping trends in the international economy
3. analyse the impact of multinational company decisions on host and home countries
4. assess the foreign investment decisions of international business in terms of their aims and the structuring and evaluation of their options.
5. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciate the limitations of the theories of trade, foreign exchange markets and direct foreign investment
6. analyse international political-economic policies and their impact on international business, with special reference to regional economic integration and the European Union
Skills developed:
In class lecture content will provide the topic theory which is developed during the seminar sessions.
Seminars will include business case studies. Students will be expected to work in groups leading designated case study presentations and follow independent study between seminars.
The in-class group presentations and individual review exercises (both within class and self-directed) will be used to provide formative, peer and self-assessment.
Students will be guided on an individual investigation into a specific global business. This will come at the end of the module and will allow students to consider and apply the topics which have been covered in the presentation series, eg. cultural differences, foreign direct investment, regional economic integration, world trading system, international trade theory, international strategies, entry mode strategies and ethics etc.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Weekly lectures, seminars, workshops and individual/group tutorials | 128 |
Guided independent study | 172 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
End of module - Individual Assignment: This report will investigate and analyse the performance of a selected global business. Areas of investigation will include an assessment of cultural differences, foreign direct investment, regional economic integration, world trading system, international trade theory, international strategies, entry mode strategies and ethics etc. Individual 50%
Presentation: Designated Group Case Study Presentations in seminar applying course theory to practice: (there will be two presentations for each group). Group 30%
Individual reflection by students- on the key issues and analysis of the group presentations. Reflection will be on three aspects- the group work, the quality of the presentations, and the level of engagement with the specific global business topic. (Reflections will need to be made on both presentations). Individual 20%
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1. demonstrate an understanding of the key changes and trends in the international economy | Individual assignment, end of module |
2. analyse the factors influencing the development of international business and the role of international business in shaping trends in the international economy | Group case study presentations Individual reflection Individual assignment, end of module |
3. analyse the impact of multinational company decisions on host and home countries | Group case study presentations Individual assignment, end of module |
4. assess the foreign investment decisions of international business in terms of their aims and the structuring and evaluation of their options. | Group case study presentations Individual assignment, end of module Individual reflection |
5. demonstrate an understanding of and appreciate the limitations of the theories of trade, foreign exchange markets and direct foreign investment | Group case study presentations Individual assignment, end of module Individual reflection |
6. analyse international political-economic policies and their impact on international business, with special reference to regional economic integration and the European Union | Individual assignment, end of module |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Individual business report - end of module | Coursework 1 | 50% |
Group presentations | Practical examination | 30% |
Individual reflections on performance | Coursework 2 | 20% |
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.
*All students are expected to have access to this textbook because most essential readings and designated case studies accompanying each lecture topic are selected from this book.
Journals: