MSc International Business

This module will provide an overview of the concept of business strategy in different countries, from an international perspective. The nature of strategic decisions and strategy formulation will be explored. External environmental analytical tools will be evaluated and applied with reference to a selection of international case study organisations. Factors such as strategic leadership and organisational culture will be considered. The key strategies at both corporate and business levels will be evaluated with particular reference to the resources and competencies that make up an organisation’s strategic and internationalization capability. Notions of corporate social responsibility and business practice and ethics will also be discussed from a range of global national perspectives.

An understanding of Economics is the key to discern how financial markets operate. In light of the financial crisis and the recent Covid19 pandemic, this crucial question has taken on greater importance. There are intricate linkages between various economic factors and financial variables which can have both direct and indirect impacts on the financial markets. An economic perspective facilitates identification of the causes of different economic developments as well as anticipation of the possible impact of changes in policies. We place the subject in a real-world context, aiming to show how theoretical and empirical knowledge of global economics and financial markets provides ways to analyse the salient problems faced by modern macroeconomic policy makers. The relevance of both theoretical and empirical works will be highlighted in as much as they enable you to understand the financial issues facing firms and investors when they operate in an international setting.

This module will provide an overview of the key concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation. It covers relevant areas in entrepreneurial motivation and behaviour, creativity and idea generation, opportunity identification and assessment, innovation management and international entrepreneurship, which relate to new venture creation and organisational growth with an international perspective. It will also consider the entrepreneurial individual in a work environment reviewing the mind-set, sociological and economic influences. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own entrepreneurial capacities and evaluate the degree of entrepreneurialism and innovativeness in a selected organisation. The broader global economic and political environments which influence and inform the development of entrepreneurship and innovation approaches will be addressed. Particularly, the context of emerging markets will be emphasized in order to understand the dynamics of entrepreneurship.

You will be introduced to the evolution of international business and the emergence of multinationals. The module will provide an overview of the application of marketing strategies with the purpose of competing in foreign markets. The role of marketing within international markets will be explored with attention given to how firms can manage cultural differences within the context of global brands. International communication will focus on the areas of cultural, economics, politics and regulation with exposure to a range of current intercultural theory and communication models and a discussion of current intercultural marketing practice and negotiation skills. The module will also cover the roles of governance infrastructures - political, institutional, and legal environments and their impacts on the operations of international businesses. The appropriate goals will be linked to theories of cross-cultural relationships, communication, product and branding, to ensure the development of marketing strategies that will enhance customer value and firm success.

You will be introduced to the major theories of modern leadership and intercultural leader effectiveness. The module will also cover current issues such as Ethical Leadership and cultural differences in perceptions and assessment of leadership effectiveness. You will be encouraged to develop an informed and critically aware perspective of leadership skills such as motivating, coaching and mentoring, managing change, and influencing others. This will include models of change, analysis of personal and organisational power, strategies for managing change including consideration of resistance and opposition. There will also be an emphasis on the personal development and application of these skills.

This module examines a range of human resource management theories in the international context. It will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of workplace cultures and politics, and how these promote effectiveness and shape international organisations The theories will include an introduction to organisational theory and how such theory underpins the principles and practices of international human resource management. You will explore a range of different and competing perspectives on individual and team behaviour in international organisations focusing on the impact of these perspectives on management processes (such as recruitment, selection and employee development).

This module will emphasise on developing understanding, appreciation and practical application of primary and secondary research techniques as well as data-specific tools. You will be encouraged to work on assessing and researching an active market research problem in a form of a live case study. Areas of critical analysis will include an initial situational market assessment, environmental scanning, competitiveness assessment, insights to trend and segment analysis and a final set of strategic recommendations. You will gain the necessary knowledge of the interlinkages between research process components and their application to the practical market case. You will also be encouraged to support their analysis with international business considerations focusing on policies and ethics.

The module offers you the significant opportunity to actively contribute to international business research, building upon the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme. The supervisor will ensure the student has realistic aims and works at a standard appropriate to Level 7. During initial meetings with supervisor, students will negotiate and agree the individual timeframe for their study, including key deadlines (e.g. revised proposal, data collection, analysis, and writing-up). This will be monitored by the supervisor and reported to the Programme Director throughout the year. Students will have access to all blended learning material from the Research Methods module to support their project.