Unit information: International Business in 2020/21

Unit name	International Business
Unit code	EFIMM0003
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Tischer
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the main features and organisational processes of international business. It considers the theoretical, analytical and practical problems of managing international business across cultures, national borders and varied legal and normative contexts, and aims to provide ideas about the social, institutional and political effects on international business. For example, what is the role and effect of corporate strategy on society and how does society affect business strategy? What is the relationship and difference between domestic and multi-national policies? How do organisations manage the knowledge, skills and employment across units operating in different national and cultural contexts? What is the changing nature of work and employment practices, and what is the role of corporate social responsibility in international business?

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Identify and describe issues in international business, including the management and organisational processes drawing on published research and empirical examples.
2. Understand and demonstrate systematic approaches to problems, including functional and social scientific, in international business
3. Critically appraise evidence in view of theoretical approaches and be able related them to real life problems;
4. Determine how the international economic, legal, social, and political situation affects international business;
5. Analyse new information and advanced theory, engage in complex problem solving, demonstrate ability to think logically and critically;
6. Evaluate through discerning judgements based on the quality of evidence researched or offered in class, appraising the value of alternative concepts and arguing clearly using evidence regarding the relevance of empirical and theoretical information;
7. Demonstrate analytical and transferable skills through written and oral presentations.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions including lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, discussion boards and other online learning opportunities. 

Assessment Information

20 minute group presentation (20%) and 3000 word research report (80%)

Reading and References

There is no core textbook for this unit. Instead, each week students will be assigned a set of journal articles or chapters. These will be available via the University Library. The following journals are useful as sources of further reading and assignment research:

• Cambridge Journal of Economics
• Corporate Governance
• Critical Perspectives on International Business
• Economic Geography
• Environment and Planning (A)
• Industrial and Corporate Change
• International Business Review
• Journal of Economic Geography
• International Journal of Human Resource Management
• Journal of International Business Studies
• Journal of International Management
• Journal of Management Studies
• Organization Studies
• Regional Studies
• Review of International Political Economy