Module
Current Issues in International Business
Module description
The focus of this module is to engage you with a variety of issues pertinent to International Business Managers. Drawing from cross-disciplinary scholars from the field of Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Management, Leadership, and Economics, we will explore International Business Issues from a variety of stakeholder perspectives. This module enables you to learn from experts within their respective fields of study that use current research and thinking in International Business. The seminars are specifically designed to train students to look at business problems from a variety of different perspectives that ultimately inform organisational decision-making and strategy.
You will be guided by a single module coordinator over the course of two terms who will invite guest speakers throughout the year. The aim here is to help you make connections between your previous experiences, business practice and cross-cultural perspectives. You will learn how to take a cross-disciplinary perspective on international business issues and integrate them into your own worldview. Through a series of lectures, workshops and interactive role-plays we will equip you with international practice-based knowledge that you can take into the workplace.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Current Issues in International Business |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEMM383 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2023/4 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 30 |
| ECTS value: | 15 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 0 Duration (weeks) - term 2:11 Duration (weeks) - term 3:7 |
Module aims
This module enables you to learn from a variety of examples of current research and thinking in International Business through attending and engaging in a programme of research seminars led by leading academic scholars. Because there is no ‘one way’ to approach International Business, we will draw from a range of different business disciplines, which include accounting, marketing, economics, leadership, and management to provide you with a cross disciplinary perspective on International Business issues. These seminars are specifically designed to introduce you to contemporary issues in the field, provide you with a multi-stakeholder perspectives and enable you to interact with and debate with trained academics. This module simulates real issues in International Business, which are essential tools for understanding and applying International Business strategy and essential to knowledge production. The aims are to:
- explore current debates in International Business by actively experiencing research presentations, offering you opportunities to interact with researchers and build knowledge
- develop your understanding of International Business research via exposure to research seminars, which include both formal and informal interaction.
The assignment is designed to:
- model the diversity of speakers and approaches to International Business
- integrate knowledge gained from the seminars into students’ own thinking
- allow for independent, creative written communication on a topic of interest
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Critique and evaluate contemporary International Business research and practice as it relates to the institutional fields that shape the global marketplace and the expansion of business into international markets
- 2. Critique cross-disciplinary approaches to understanding the field of International Business.
- 3. Develop the ability to understand and disseminate knowledge about the contested nature to international business and globalisation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Critique research, evaluate arguments and assess research presentations.
- 5. Explain how global trends are affecting international business strategy
- 6. Engage with colleagues in informal debate and dialogue
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 7. Assess business practice and research from cross-disciplinary perspectives
- 8. Write about business practice and prepare critiques of those practices and approaches from a multi-stakeholder perspective.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 276 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 24 | 12 x 2 hour Lectures |
| Guided independent study | 276 | Reading, preparation for classes and assessments |
| Further contact available through office hours |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion- Q&A | 30 minutes per seminar | 1-8 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical evaluation and literature review | 70 | 4000 words | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| Individual learning log | 30 | 2000 words | 1-5, 7 and 8 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical evaluation and literature review | Resubmission (70%) 5000 words | 1-8 | Referred/deferred period |
| Individual learning log | Resubmission (30%) 2000 words | 1-5, 7 and 8 | Referred/deferred period |
Syllabus plan
Twelve 2-hour seminars spread over the academic year. School staff and visiting speakers will contribute. The range of topics varies from year to year, but could include seminars on:
- Globalisation
- Sustainability
- Ethics
- Business ethics and socially responsible business
- Marketing and branding in international environments
- Financial crisis and international markets
- Managing leaders across borders and cross-cultural contexts
- Global perspectives on consumer behaviour
- Management/ Marketing Strategy
- Financial stakeholder perspectives
- Brexit
- Nationalism
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Each lecture will be based upon a reading(s) and lecture materials that will be provided by speakers. However, you may consider additional resources:
Indicative Reading List:
Peng, M. W. & Meyer, K. (2019) International Business 3rd edition. Cengage Learning.
Ritzer, G. (Ed.). (2016). The Blackwell companion to globalization. John Wiley & Sons.
Ritzer, G., & Dean, P. (2015). Globalization: A basic text. John Wiley & Son.
There are a number of texts on international business in the University Library, which can provide additional insights pertinent to international business and globalisation.
Relevant Journals (non-exhaustive list):
Journal of International Business Studies
International Business Review
Journal of World Business
Critical Perspectives in International Business
Cross-Cultural and Strategic Management
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Origin date
10/04/2019
Last revision date
27/01/2022