International Business and Management MSc

University of Westminster, London

This module aims to develop your knowledge and competence of the research process and the application of research methods in the area of Business and Management. It consists of an overview of methodology, literature review, qualitative and quantitative research methods and considers the contexts within which different methods are useful and how they should be applied in practice. The focus is on research design, data collection and analysis, and the presentation of findings.

This module provides business managers with a comprehensive, practical approach to using financial and accounting techniques and analysis in their business lives. It also looks at the concepts behind the techniques, recent developments in conceptual thinking and academic critiques. It will give students the confidence and expertise to use financial techniques and concepts in business decision making.

This module focuses on key people management skills for international managers (with elements like cultural differences and the international context considered essential). The module places strong emphasis on the need for managers to have a range of skills at their disposal in order to operate in an international, multi-cultural context. In particular, the module focuses on the intercultural competencies needed by managers, such as cultural awareness, and provides an evaluation of existing frameworks for understanding cross-cultural differences. It aims to help students identify their likely future roles as international managers in organisations and the contribution of HR management to organisational objectives.

This module involves strategic thinking that draws together all aspects of business & management. It applies strategic concepts and systems thinking to help students to understand how to manage businesses in a complex global business environment. The module content also apply contemporary strategic management theory and concepts to the critical appraisal of international business scenarios and cases. Students will learn how to develop sustainable business models and solutions in a complex and changing world and to think like business analysts, management consultants & executive decision-makers.

This module is concerned with both practice and theories of International trade and finance. It is related to issues such as classical and neo-classical trade theories, intra industry trade, factor input mobility, trade policies, infant industry protection, economic integration, foreign investments, balance of payments, exchange rate regimes and their implications. It is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the underlying reasons for trade, shortcomings of the classical trade theories and some of the more modern trade theories.

This module examines contemporary global marketing issues from an applied and practical perspective. Providing an introduction to essential marketing principles, the module develops a thematic approach to ?international marketing? by exploring areas including culture, communication, innovation, distribution and sustainable marketing practices. Planned company visits (which may include field trip to an overseas (European) capital city) will form an integral part of the hands-on approach to teaching and learning where assessment is also largely driven by real-life business scenarios.

This module explores the development of leaders and managers from a multi-disciplinary perspective in a global context. It takes a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach to leadership and management development. In our complex and interconnected world one needs to be open minded and ready to learn from all regardless of cultural, religious or social backgrounds. It also draws from historic examples and from the wisdom of Eastern and Western traditions. Further it provides a historic and a critical, research based perspective on leadership. Participants are invited to review their personal views and experiences of leading and managing and explore new concepts and skills to develop appropriate personal competencies.

It is expected that the majority of the MSc projects will adopt a focus in Economics, Finance, Marketing Research or Leadership, and be more likely to apply quantitative or mixed methods and involve analysis of ?hard? and/or primary data. However, students are not prevented from applying qualitative data approaches and secondary sources to triangulate their findings. Also, other types of project are possible, subject to approval, such as a consultancy project. In all cases, the project must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the appropriate methodology.