International Business

Aims of this Unit

This unit explores the theory and practice of global enterprise and aims to build competence in dealing constructively with international business conditions. It does so by developing awareness of the scope and complexity of micro and macro considerations that bear upon the international business environment, by familiarising participants with strategies to compete effectively, and by requiring students to develop plans that match strategies with environmental conditions.

Knowledge and Understanding

This unit is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills to manage a business in the international arena and to familiarise them as managers and leaders with the range of strategies available to compete effectively in today’s rapidly evolving global economy.

The specific objectives include:

• Gaining insight into the development of the multinational enterprise and the process of firm internationalisation
• Understanding the impact of global environmental factors and national differences, including the concept of country risk
• Understanding the role of supranational organisations and regional economic agreements in affecting market access
• Analysing the modes of international involvement and explaining why and in what forms international operations take place

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of managing international operations and recognising the differences between operating in the local domestic market and global markets.
• Show advanced knowledge of the capacity to select and adapt appropriate policies and strategies for coping with the international business environment.
• Critically evaluate issues in governing international trading and investment.
• Debate and rate principles that affect relationships with international trading partners, particularly those of a different political and cultural perspective.
• Develop strategic choices for global operations.
• Create flexible and creative approaches in the application of knowledge and skills to new situations, to solve complex problems ethically and to think rigorously and independently.