2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS2820 Contemporary Topics in International Business

10 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Angelo Solarino
Email: A.M.Solarino@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisites

LUBS1140

Principles of International Business

Module replaces

LUBS3815

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module we will consider key up-to-date developments in both the theory and practice of international business. It will shed light on contemporary international business topics and encourage students to enter into intellectual debates. The module will enable students to integrate their knowledge, making connections between international business literature, current topical debates and news reported in the public domain. It will bring together international business literature drawing on the research expertise of academic staff in CIBUL and appropriate external speakers.

Objectives

This module aims to integrate knowledge of the international business environment, by exposing students to both contemporary research topics in international business and to current, topical developments in international business practice. Disparate topics are introduced, which are of significance to both international business scholars and practitioners. The module aims to support final year students’ critical thinking and analytical skills to enhance their dissertation performance. It also aims to introduce an eclectic range of current international business topics which can offer inspiration to students when considering their dissertation topic.

Learning outcomes
Knowledge / Application:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Identify the connections between international business theories, frameworks and contemporary issues;
- Analyse how recent and current events in the social, economic and political arenas are likely to influence the behaviour, decision-taking and strategy of international firms from both the industrialised and developing countries;
- Assess alternative arguments concerning how contemporary trends are likely to shape international business, at present and into the future;
- Debate a range of topical issues confronting international business scholars and practitioners.

Transferable Skills:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Independently analyse contemporary topics in international business
- Structure arguments
- Approach problems systematically
- Make effective presentations
- Communicate effectively
- Appraise their own analytical skills in a professional context.

Skills outcomes
Contemporary Topics (in theory and practice) in International Business.

Syllabus

The precise content of the syllabus may change each year to reflect the recent and current topics in international business. Potential topics to be covered include:

- The impact of foreign direct investment on home and host countries;
- The rising emerging market multinationals - Bilateral, multilateral and regional trade agreements ; and their impact on international business; a new era of protectionism and nationalism;
- Technology and innovation management; R&D internationalisation and firm performance;
- Energy, the environment and the international firm;
- International labour mobility and the impact on the firm;
- The role of culture in international business and management;
- Geopolitical stability and the strategies of MNEs;
- Country contexts (USA, Russia, Middle East, China, Europe).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	9	2.00	18.00
Seminar	3	1.00	3.00
Private study hours			79.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Readings prior to and following each workshop and preparation for the seminar, preparation for ACW (2,000 word essay) at the end of the module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students' progress will be monitored through class discussion. During these sessions students will be expected to apply the knowledge gained during workshops and their private study to posing and answering questions. Students will be given feedback on their responses by the lecturer during the class.

Students will be offered the opportunity for group feedback and one-to-one feedback from the module manager and lecturers outside the class setting. Students will also be offered feedback during the seminar session to identify areas of problematic understanding to enable them to prepare for the essay assessment at the conclusion of the module. The feedback from this in conjunction with class discussions during the module will enable students to gauge their progress during the course of the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	2,000 word Assignment	70.00
Presentation	15-20 minute presentation (Groups of 5)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit will be 100% by coursework.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/12/2017

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