2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS0050 Introduction to International Business

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Caifei Chen
Email: c.chen5@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module provides you with an introductory-level understanding of International Business. When taken together with other of the introductory business modules in the foundation year it provides a solid grounding in key elements of the business disciplines. Taken as a stand-alone option it provides you with the opportunity to explore key business issues from an international perspective.

Objectives

The objective of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of international business. It further aims to provide an insight into some of the key issues facing international business which are taken from current news stories and real-life case studies.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
- Recognise aspects of the environment in which multinational firms operate
- Identify the key terminology describing international business structures: multinational
enterprises, transnational firms, joint ventures, subsidiaries, mergers and acquisitions
- Recognise some of the critical issues in international business: globalization, the rise of emerging economies, the global financial crisis, environment and sustainable development, and shifting patterns of international production

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Deploy basic management skills in the areas of planning, organising, directing and controlling
- Identify the skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility, and social and cultural sensitivity
- Utilise communication, presentation and team working skills

Subject Specific
- Recognise basic theories and practices of multinational enterprises
- Identify the key issues facing international businesses

Syllabus

Indicative content
- Introduction to international business: firm-level definitions, international business structures, multinational enterprises and transnational firms
- Internationalisation process: introduction to foreign market entry-modes and foreign direct investment (FDI), exporting, joint-ventures, subsidiaries, mergers and acquisitions
- Critical issues in international business: globalisation, emerging economies, trends in international production and FDI
- The impact of the external environment on multinational firms: (a) political, legal and economic environments
- The impact of the external environment on multinational firms: (b) resources, competitiveness and technology
- International strategic issues and operations: managing global strategies, structuring and organising
- International marketing, market-entry strategies and supply-chain management
- How firms manage business in different cultural settings: socio-cultural environment, culture, religion and communication
- International ethical and ecological environment: sustainable development and corporate social responsibility
- How multinational firms manage risk: political, economic and financial

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	1.50	1.50
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			82.50
Total Contact hours			17.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

This could include a variety of activities, such as reading, watching videos, question practice and exam preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Your teaching methods could include a variety of delivery models, such as face-to-face teaching, live webinars, discussion boards and other interactive activities. There will be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	2,000 word assignment	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The resit for this module will be 100% by 2,000 word coursework.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:16:20

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