2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS3250 Transnational Corporations in the World Economy

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Christos Antoniou
Email: ca@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

LUBS2140 Intermediate Microeconomics AND
LUBS2610 Intermediate Macroeconomics
OR
LUBS1140 Principles of International Business

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module draws on international business theories, macro- and micro-economics, politics and international relations to offer an integrated view of the World economy through the lenses of the Transnational Corporation. The key factors of production, technology and innovation, the overall environment and major agents are associated with the activities of internationalising corporations in an effort to explain the rise of TNCs and predict their future.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are to expand and deepen students’ understanding of major trends affecting international business and develop students’ ability to critically assess the impact of these trends on the performance of corporations, the policies of governments and the diverse actions of other key domestic and international stakeholders.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to assess and evaluate:
- The major socio-economic themes discussed in contemporary international business theory.
- The interrelation of economic, social, political and environmental aspects and their impact on shaping the emergent international environment.
- The crucial role of technological change in shaping the international business environment.
- The recent shift of power from West to East and the far-reaching consequences for regions, States, sectors, industries and communities .

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Interpret how seemingly diverse factors combine to create the complex environment in which transnational Corporations compete.
- Analyse the dimensions at play in given international business settings.
- Apply the key concepts discussed to interpret the social reality in real-life situations.

Skills outcomes
Transferable:
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Synthesise theory and real-life cases to offer in-depth explanations of social reality
- Draw on miscellaneous resources to holistically cover the different aspects of a set problem
- Develop and present ideas in a structured and comprehensive manner and appreciate the importance of assumptions and generalisations in addressing complexity in managerial decision making

Subject Specific:
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Seek and find scholarly and practical data and information to support an argument related to international business and transnational corporations
- Argue for and against recent developments in the global socio-economic environment
- Appreciate and be able to reflect on their personal and ethical responsibilities within the context of the international business environment

Syllabus

Indicative content:
- A brief overview of the evolution of TNCs over time and the increasing importance of international business in the world economy
- The institutional environment that has facilitated TNCs’ activities and major global institutions that are promoting international business including regional integration
- The role of technology and innovation as a key driver of competitive advantage and social impact of internationalising firms
- The State and national / regional governments as a major contributor in shaping the environment within which TNCs conduct their business activities
- Employment as a key factor of production, and the role of knowledge in the international division of labour
- The changing social and natural environments in the developing world including migration, urbanisation and pollution, and the implications for firms and communities
- The increasing importance of sustainability both as a liability, as well as a source of competitive advantage in the international business arena
- Globalisation, and its recent critique, in the light of the 2007/8 financial crisis
- The subsequent acceleration in the relative shift of power from the West and the developed World to the East, the Global South, and emerging economies

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			84.00
Total Contact hours			16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

For each 10 credits of study taken, the expectation is that the normal study time (including attendance at lectures and tutorials, self-study and revision) is 100 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be expected to take an active role in class group discussion, based on material distributed before the class.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

The resit for this module will be 100% by examination.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/01/2018

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