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MN50452: International business strategy

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework 1 (CW 30% - Qualifying Mark: 35)
  • Coursework 2 (CW 70% - Qualifying Mark: 35)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: This unit is only available to students on the MSc International Management.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* To develop firm- and industry-level critical strategic thinking, analysis and judgement in an international context;
* Critically explore the development and application of competitive and corporate strategy options firms can pursue in the face of the business opportunities and threats arising in a dynamically, sometimes unpredictably, and rapidly changing global economic, political, sociocultural and technological environment.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
* Display a critical understanding of theories of strategic management as they apply to international contexts, and be able to appraise concepts, models, analytical frameworks and evidence critically;
* Critically evaluate and interpret new information and theories, and engage in problem solving using clear, logical and practical critical thinking about a range of international business strategy issues;
* Critically identify current strengths and weakness of firm-level competitive and corporate strategy in the face of international business environment changes. Identify feasible future firm-level strategic responses in any given situation;
* Assess and detail methods and timescales for firm-level implementation of competitive and corporate strategy responses to international business and international political economy threats and opportunities.

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 firm's business (TFA);
* Critical and open-minded awareness of current issues and frameworks in strategic and international management (TFA);
* Critically-derived 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);
* Facility to challenge constantly conventional thinking, current mores, received wisdom, and social/cultural/political/economic norms insofar as they relate to international business strategy.
Professional Practical Skills
* Deal critically and open-mindedly with complex issues and make sound judgements in the absence of complete information, and to communicate conclusions clearly and competently (TFA);
* Critically assess and further develop the strategic position of firm operating on an ever-changing international stage (FA);
* Operate effectively and open-mindedly within cross-cultural teams and assume leadership roles where appropriate(F);
Transferable/Key Skills
* Ability to develop a holistic critical perspective on an international business and an understanding of how different units interact with each other in the accomplishment of organizational goals (TFA);
* Critical appreciation and in-depth understanding of the personal and other 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 critical management analysis (F);
* Ability to critically assess and recognise intra/entrepreneurial risks and opportunities and to use enterprise skills to advantage in a firm context. (F).

Content:
The unit critically introduces students to the core theories, issues, themes and perspectives of competitive and corporate strategy, which are throughout applied to companies operating in an international context. Building on students' prior understanding of the international business environment, plus other fields within management, the course covers the following areas:
* Critical understanding the opportunities and challenges faced by a firm doing business beyond domestic borders;
* Benefits and costs of becoming global, or regional or, in some cases, domestic;
* Characteristics and interactions of global, regional and domeestic intra- and inter-industry competition;
* Control and coordination of business units operating in, and across, different countries and political economy contexts;
* Critically assessing new business development and operations in a global context;
* Recognizing and critically evaluating firm, industry, political, social, cultural, ethical and other challenges that may affect international business strategy.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50452 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes: