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MN30409: Business strategy in the global economy

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MN20012 or take MN30449 or equivalent (for exchange students only). In taking this unit you may not take MN30076.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* provide students with an in-depth appreciation of the challenges facing businesses in an international environment
* explore the strategic options by which firms can make best use of the business opportunities arising in the global economy;
* to further develop powers of strategic thinking, analysis and judgement.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
* display a sound understanding of theories of strategic management as they apply to international contexts, and be able to appraise models and evidence critically;
* determine how the international environment (economic, legal, social, political) conditions the strategies of an organization;
* 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 international business issues;
* identify feasible strategic responses in a given situation;
* assess strategic responses for suitability;
* advocate a strategic option after assessment.

Skills:
Intellectual Skills
* facility to apply subject-specific knowledge into a range of complex international business situations, taking into account the overall implications for the other areas of the business (TFA);
* critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in management (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 across national institutional frameworks, and interacting with supra-national organizations (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 on an international stage (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 develop a holistic perspective on an international organization and an understanding of how operations at different locations interact with each other (TFA);
* appreciation and in-depth understanding of the resources and competences required for successful operation in international 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 introduces students to the core issues, themes and perspectives facing businesses that operate in an international context. Building on students prior understanding of strategic management, the course covers the following areas:
* Managing institutional differences and supra-national institutions
* Developing and maintaining strategic capabilities through global operations
* Manage the tradeoffs between product and international diversification
* Recognizing and evaluating ethical challenges that may affect international business.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN30409 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management
  • UMMN-AFB02 : BSc (hons) Accounting and Finance (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UMMN-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Accounting and Finance (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UMMN-ANB01 : BSc (hons) Business Administration (Full-time with Thin Sandwich Placements) - Year 4
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

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.