MNM2G005: International Business

Module code: MNM2G005

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 15

Level: Postgraduate Masters Stage 2

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Peder Greve, email: peder.greve@henley.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:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 28 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The International Business module is designed to provide key theoretical insights and analytical tools for practising managers who face the opportunities and challenges of a global business environment. The module includes an International Business workshop and a Global Immersion Study week. The aim is for students to develop an ability to understand the complexity of international markets and the capacity to successfully navigate issues related to international business and strategy.

The module is designed for practising managers to enable them to: 

• develop insight into the variety of issues and challenges faced by managers of firms with international operations in the global business environment  

• understand the complexity of international markets and capacity to successfully manage opportunities and challenges related to an international business strategy 

• understand how managers of internationally active firms can leverage their firm-specific advantages in different country-specific environments 

• apply conceptual and analytical tools to critically assess why, where, when and how firms internationalise, taking into account their strategies and organisational structures 

• interact effectively with internationally active companies while working in multinational teams with other experienced professionals and applying strategic concepts and frameworks in an international business context 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Define the main concepts, activities, drivers, players and trends in international business
2. Identify key developments in the global business environment and critically assess their impact on international firms 
3. Understand the process and organisation of international business and apply the appropriate models and frameworks to navigate international business challenges in a global context 
4. Understand the role of entrepreneurship, innovation, strategic alliances and collaborative networks in an international business context 
5. Apply key concepts and frameworks from the field of international business to real-life cases

Students will also develop team-working skills and presentation skills through completion of consulting projects, group work and practical exercises. 

Module content

The module includes an International Business workshop and a Global Immersion Study week. A number of key frameworks will be introduced and applied in developing strategies for international expansion as well as strategies for managing complex operations across national, regional and global markets. The Global Immersion Study week takes place in a major international business hub and includes live consulting projects, offering students the opportunity to directly interact with internationally active companies while applying core strategic concepts and frameworks from the module to real-life cases. The Global Immersion Study week will also offer the opportunity to visit and interact with leading multinational enterprises operating in a variety of countries and industries. The immersive experience is further fostered by the opportunity to work in multinational teams of experienced professionals from across Henley’s international campuses.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module uses a blended-learning approach, incorporating self-study, face-to-face workshops, interaction with companies, group work and tutor support. Key module content will be delivered in workshops, which comprise a mixture of content delivery, class discussion, and practical application exercises. 

The contact hours are shown for one semester in the table below for illustrative purposes only. The actual timing will vary depending on your cohort start date.

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

Assessment is based on a 2000-word written group project (30%) and a 5000-word written group project (70%). Submission dates are according to the programme schedule. Word counts are accepted within -10%/+20% lower and upper bounds.  

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

Alternative assessment: 

1. For students who are unable to participate in both parts of the group project (30% + 70%), the alternative assessment is a 5000-word individual assignment for 100% of the mark, following the standard IB assignment brief for non-EM cohorts. Word counts are accepted within -10%/+20% lower and upper bounds. 
2. For students who participate in the pre-GIS part of the group project (30%) and do not participate in the Global Immersion study experience, the alternative assessment for the remaining 70% of the mark is a 3500-word individual assignment. This alternative assessment follows the standard IB assignment brief for non-EM cohorts, albeit with adjusted expectations commensurate with the 3500-word limit. As this form of alternative assessment is only applicable in exceptional circumstances, students are expected to contact the Module Convenor directly to discuss the adjusted expectations in detail. Word counts are accepted within -10%/+20% lower and upper bounds. 

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.

Group presentations to case companies during Global Immersion Study week are formative only and do not contribute towards the overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs