MMD003: Economics of International Business

Module code: MMD003

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 10

Level: Doctoral level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Mark Casson, email: m.c.casson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module examines the trade-offs that underlie key strategic decisions such as foreign market entry, outsourcing, off-shoring, location of headquarters, and investment in R&D. It links firm-level analysis to industry-level analysis. 

It shows how changes in strategy are driven by changes in the global business environment caused by globalisation, privatisation and market regulation. 

It explains what is involved in ‘thinking like an economist’, and shows how to ‘decode’ technical literature that would otherwise be difficult to understand. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. understand and use economic concepts in planning and executing a research proposal 
2. understand how economic principles are used in International Business 

This module will also enhance students’ critical thinking and analytical skills. 

Module content

The course will be taught over 2 days. It will consist of 12 formal sessions. It is devoted to introduction to economics, key concepts in economics and their application to international business. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will be encouraged to participate in classroom discussions. Topics of these will reflect current conceptual and empirical issues in the International Business. The course will consist of discussions in the classroom and interaction with the course instructor. 

Study hours

At least 14 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

50% pass mark - “Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.”   

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Reassessment

Additional costs