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School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


MN50454: Business in emerging markets

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:

* to develop understanding of challenges arising for business due to the diversity of contexts in which they may be operating, especially those arising in emerging economies.
* to develop analytical and creative skills to support decision making in uncertain or unfamiliar contexts.
* to develop, present and defend solutions to strategic and operational challenges in uncertain or unfamiliar contexts.
* to attain a basic familiarity with business contexts in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
* Locate, synthesize and interpret information on previously unfamiliar countries;
* Understand the notions of 'economic development' and 'economic transition' and their implications for businesses operating in developing and transition economies;
* Display a sound understanding of theories, such as institutional economics, that explain the interaction between contexts and business strategies/operations, and be able to appraise models and evidence critically;
* determine how the national environment (economic, institutional, political, resource-endowment) of a country conditions the strategies and operations of organizations;
* evaluate and interpret new information and theory, and engage in problem solving, thereby demonstrating a capacity to think clearly, logically and practically about a range of business issues in a variety of national contexts.

Skills:
Intellectual Skills
* facility to connect context-specific knowledge to a range of business situations, taking into account the overall implications for the organization (TFA);
* critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in regarding contexts of business (FA);
* understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks that enable the student to meaningfully link theory and practice, and the ability to critically appraise both theory and practice (TFA);
* assess challenges of operating in unfamiliar national institutional frameworks (TA);
* recognize and evaluate challenges arising from operating across cultures (TF).
Professional Practical Skills
* deal with complex issues and make sound judgements in the absence of complete information, and to communicate their conclusions clearly and competently (FA);
* assess and further develop the strategic position of an organization operating in an emerging economy (F);
* operate effectively within cross-cultural teams and assume leadership roles where appropriate (F);
* Communicate and manage effectively in cross-cultural contexts (TF)
Transferable/Key Skills
* ability to locate, synthesize and interpret information on unfamiliar countries (TF)
* ability to develop a holistic perspective on an organization and an understanding of how interacts with diverse contexts (F);
* appreciation and in-depth understanding of the resources and competences required for successful operation in emerging economy contexts (TA);
Personal/Interpersonal
* facility to communicate including presenting and marketing themselves and their ideas; preparation and production of effective management analysis (F);
* ability to recognise intra/entrepreneurial risks and opportunities and to use enterprise skills to advantage established and start-ups. (F).
* ability to operate effectively in an unfamiliar institutional and cultural context (F).

Content:
The course presents students with a wide variety of businesses challenges typically for emerging economies, explores the theoretical and conceptual tools that may help addressing these challenges, and challenges students to develop their own solutions to these issues. In doing so, the course draws examples from a broad selection of emerging economies, thus providing a basic understanding of a diversity of contexts in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa. Building on students prior understanding of international management, the course covers the following areas:
* The challenges of "eeconomic development" and "economic transition".
* Strategies and operations of local firms, such as privatization and restructuring, entrepreneurship, business groups, and internationalization.
* Strategies and operation of foreign entrants, such as entry strategies, subsidiary management, and marketing to the bottom of the pyramid.
* Cross-cultural challenges of interacting with a diversity of local individuals in situations such as team work, negotiations, marketing and teamwork.
* Challenges of corporate social responsibility such as labour standards, corrupt business practices, and interacting with interest groups and humanitarian organizations.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

MN50454 is Optional on the following programmes:

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