MM231: Firms in the Global Economy

Module code: MM231

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Davide Castellani, email: davide.castellani@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to offer an integrated perspective on the role of nations and firms in the global economy, and to serve as an introduction to international business, including a discussion of the essentials of international economics. In particular, the module revolves around the key questions of why (and how) to firms go abroad, and what are the consequences of international business activity for the nations, firms and people of the global economy.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand the nature of the global economy, its causes and consequences, and its relevance for international business activities.
2. Analyse how and why firms engage in international business activities, appreciating the benefits and costs of such internationalization choices.
3. Relate firms' strategies to the bigger picture of the global economy.

Module content

1. The global economy: concepts and facts
2. Trade, comparative advantage and competition
3. The role of the firm in modern international trade theory
4. Firms, location and distance
5. Trade policy

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will combine:

• Directed viewing of pre-recorded screencasts covering basic theoretical concepts. These will be available online before the in-person lectures.
• In-person lectures building on the pre-recorded screencasts where interaction will be encouraged.
• Tutorials with a more practical element, geared towards acquiring the tools and skills to analyse da on firms and countries in the global economy.

Study hours

At least 28 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Weekly practice tests will be made available on Blackboard. The submission of a practice test is optional. Upon submission, formative feedback will be provided.

Reassessment

Additional costs