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School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


MN30085: The internationalisation of business

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment not allowed
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take XX20093 or XX20094 or XX20095 or XX20096 or XX20097 or XX20098 or XX20047 or XX20048 or XX20049 and in taking this unit you cannot take MN20208.
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
This course will look at international business in terms of the trade and investment activities conducted by firms across national borders. It concentrates on the broader issues managers have to consider when operating in an international context.
The course is structured into two sections. The first part introduces why international business is important and focuses on the global trade and investment environment. It looks particularly at the main modes of internationalised business activity: trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). We look review the theoretical development that describes the motives for these activities and consider the impact of trade and FDI on national economies. The second part of the course covers broader corporate level considerations when deciding to operate beyond their domestic borders. We will look at how companies match their strategies and structures to the opportunities the international market presents them as well as the range of entry modes potentially available to them.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should:
* be able to identify and understand the relevance of economic theories of international trade and investment;
* have an awareness of the political-economic issues which surround international business activity;
* Understand the range of strategic alternatives for internationalisation and their contexts;
* Understand the range of organisational governance structures internationalised business might adopt;
* Be aware of how companies enter foreign markets, the pros and cons of these alternatives, and their appropriateness within different contexts.

Skills:
Intellectual skills: analytical skills, evaluation, presentation of a balanced argument with supporting evidence. (F, A)
Professional Practical skills:
Transferable/ Key skills: independent research, project writing, bibliography compiling, ability to appreciate multiple perspectives on issues. (F, A).

Content:
The theories of international business, including those pertaining to trade, FDI and theories of the multinational enterprise. The risks of international operations - political and economic risk. The motivations for multinational operation. The strategic options for establishing a global network of subsidiaries. The different forms of multinational operation. Alternative modes of market entry.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

MN30085 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UXXX-AYB05 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (French) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AYB04 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (German) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AYB06 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (Spanish) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.