School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
MN30085 The internationalisation of business |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX60CW40 |
| Requisites: |
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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.
Aims: The course aims to introduce and assess the forms, motivations and processes of establishing and developing a multinational enterprise. It will explain the magnitude and significance of international business, discuss the academic frameworks used to analyse the activities of international businesses and the processes of internationalisation. To understand some of the considerations of globalisation in the automotive industry in Europe.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, the student should be able to: * Understand and assess the options available to companies undergoing the internationalisation process; to analyse the different issues that arise and problems that need to be addressed when establishing and operating subsidiaries and affiliates across national boundaries; to identify and explain actual examples using theories introduced in the course. Skills: * Intellectual skills: evaluation, presentation of an argument; * Professional practical skills: Use of PEST framework for environmental scanning; * Transferable/key skills: research, project writing, coordination of work schedules and responsibilities between partners. 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 - economic globalisation, competitive rivalry, resource or market seeking. The strategic options for establishing a global network of subsidiaries. The different forms of multinational operation, including contractual forms, equity arrangements, joint ventures, etc. but with a particular focus on foreign direct investment. An assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The course will use case studies (industry and company-based) to illustrate and explain the theories of international business. |