MNM2IB: International Business

Module code: MNM2IB

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 15

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Mr Karim Kirollos, email: k.r.w.kirollos@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: No

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 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 International Business 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 
• develop an ability to understand the complexity of international markets and capacity to successfully manage opportunities and challenges related to an international business strategy  
• develop an understanding of how managers of internationally active firms can leverage their firm-specific advantages in different country-specific environments 
• understand and apply conceptual frameworks that make sense of how multinational enterprises operate in a world of globalisation 
• understand and apply conceptual and analytical tools to critically assess why, where, when and how firms internationalise, taking into account their strategies and organisational structures 

Module learning outcomes

On completion of the module, students should be able to: 
 
• define the main concepts, activities, drivers, players and trends in international business 
• identify key developments in the international business environment and critically assess their potential impact on international firms 
• understand the process and organisation of international business and apply the appropriate models and frameworks for their management in an international context  
• compare and assess the different strategy and structure models of multinational enterprises 
• understand the role of SMEs, innovation, strategic alliances and collaborative networks in an international business context  
• identify and understand emerging trends and developments in the global business context 

These outcomes will be achieved through acquiring knowledge and understanding, cognitive and intellectual skills. They will help students to develop and demonstrate personal and team competence and behaviours expected at senior executive level within an organisation. account their strategies and organisational structures 

Module content

The International Business module looks into the variety of issues and challenges faced by managers of international firms in the international environment, considering both country-level issues and firm-specific characteristics, focusing on conceptual frameworks related to choosing the optimal strategy. The aim is for students to develop an ability to understand the complexity of international markets and the capacity to successfully manage issues related to international business and strategy. Therefore, two parallel lines of thinking will be developed. First, the course material will help you to understand country-level issues in international business, i.e. the main modes of international operations (international trade and foreign direct investment) and their trends over time, the role of political and economic systems, the importance of culture and institutions, and the relevance of international economic integration. Second, the course presents conceptual frameworks that make sense of the nature and extent of multinational enterprises operating in a world of globalisation. We address the four strategic questions of why, where, when and how to internationalize. We consider what managers of internationally active firms do in order to leverage their firm-specific advantages in different country-specific environments. The module also sheds light on recent trends and developments in international business. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module uses a blended-learning approach, incorporating self-study, face-to-face workshops, 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.  

Study hours

At least 16 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 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