MNM3GBC: Global Business Context: Prospects and Challenges

Module code: MNM3GBC

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module

Module convenor: Dr Jose Eduardo Ibarra-Olivo, email: eduardo.ibarra-olivo@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: 18 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module provides students with the opportunity to develop awareness of the contemporary global trends and developments and gain a critical insight into their implications on current and future business scenarios. Students can identify potential challenges and prospects for business and society relevant to their context and propose suitable solutions. The module will cover various aspects of the global business environment, from geopolitics, trade and investment to global value chains, advanced technologies and climate change, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It will give students an appreciation of the complex and dynamic nature of global business developments faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that must be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organisations concerned. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify critical global business level challenges and prospects for sectors and organisations.  
2. Assess the potential impact of the global business context trends and developments on sectors and organisations.  
3. Critically analyse and evaluate the global business context using relevant concepts, frameworks and theories, supported by appropriate evidence.  
4. Develop recommendations for how organisations and sectors may effectively address the challenges and prospects stemming from the global business context. 

Module content

Part 1 – The changing contours of the global economy 

• Changing geographies of globalisation 

Part 2 – Key drivers of globalisation 

• Technological change and innovation in the global economy 
• Transnational corporations (TNCs) in the global economy 
• States in the global economy 
• States and TNCs in the global economy 

Part 3 – Outcomes of globalisation 

• Global Production Networks (GPNs): Creating, capturing and destroying value 
• Winners and losers in the global economy 
• How to make the world a better place? 

Part 4 – Global shifts – a sector perspective 

• Global Industries 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module uses a blended-learning approach, incorporating independent-study, tutor led workshops, group work and tutor support. A structured pathway guides the learning journey through a series of sequential sessions of self-study utilising digital content, application and reflection tasks, facilitated on our VLE platform Canvas, tutor and peer interactions via face-to-face workshops and work-based learning. 

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. 

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. 

Study hours

At least Please note that the hours listed below are indicative and for guidance purposes only.  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