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:
- understand and use economic concepts in planning and executing a research proposal
- 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.
Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 15 | ||
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
Placement and study abroad | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
Independent study hours | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 85 |
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
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 100 | 5000 words | 25th February in the following semester | Participants will submit a 5000 words assessed report on how they plan to incorporate relevant economic concepts in their own research. This report can be submitted at any time up to 25 February of the subsequent year, and the assessment process will be completed within one month of submission. |
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:
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
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 100 | 5000 words | 1st October in the same calendar year when the assignment was due. | Essay resubmission by 1st October in the year when the assignment was due. |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | £900 | |
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.