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2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5918M Management of Global Value Chains and Multinational Enterprises

15 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Omar Al-Tabbaa
Email: O.F.O.AITabbaa@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisites

LUBS5267MInternational Business Theory
LUBS5913MInternational Trade Environment

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module provides knowledge on how differing perspectives on the evolution of globalisation processes influence the strategic policies and managerial practices for GVC of MNEs. The acquired knowledge is applied to enhance capabilities for the analysis and evaluation of the efficacy of management approaches and systems in cross-frontier business transactions in GVC that seek to enhance the value obtained from such transactions. The module emphasises the importance of considering the international business environment in home and host locations, with a focus on institutional, cultural and ethical diversity, in the various host locations of the GVC of MNEs.

Objectives

The module will enhance student awareness of the differing perspectives on globalisation processes and how they influence cross-frontier business transactions in global value chains (GVC) of multinational enterprises (MNEs).

This will include examination of the variety of views on the evolving nature of globalisation such as the growing importance of the emerging economies and the increasing opposition to many of the political, economic, social and environmental effects of global business transactions that arise from the GVC of MNEs.

The module will develop students’ ability to evaluate how the differing perceptions about globalisation processes influence the strategic policies and managerial practices of the GVC of MNEs including location decisions and developing business transactions in developed and emerging economies, at national and sub-national level.

Analysis of these influences in the context of decision-making on cross-frontier business transactions will enable students to better assess the effectiveness of the management of the global business transactions of large and small MNEs, as well as those domestic firms that are linked to global value chains. The GVC concept of the Global Factory and other conceptual approaches to GVC will provide a means of analysing the opportunities and challenges for firms seeking to enhance value from their engagement with VC.

The module will develop the capabilities of students to take proper account of the importance of diversity in national and sub-national economic, political, cultural and ethical conditions for global business transactions in the GVC of MNEs.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the major implications of globalisation and its evolution for the internationalisation of business transactions in GVC by small and large MNEs.
2. Critically analyse the major issues involved in the selection of ownership modes, business models and organizational systems in the GVC of MNEs in different national and sub-national locations, including in cities.
3. Systematically appraise and apply the core theories and concepts of international business management to evaluate the effectiveness of the major strategic policies and managerial practices used by MNEs in GVC.
4. Evaluate the agility requirements of GVCs in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world
5. Systematically assess the major implications for the GVC of MNEs of changes in political/institutional/social changes and technological developments.
6. Methodically assess the major components affecting cross-frontier business transactions and critically analyse how these factors influence the creation and development of the GVC of diverse types of MNEs in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Skills outcomes
Students of the module will evidence:
1. Assessment of the effectiveness of strategic and managerial plans for the GVC of MNEs in diverse international settings.
2. Evaluation of the importance of economic, institutional, and cultural differences between home and host locations for the selection and development of effective means to achieve the strategic objectives of the GVC of MNEs.
3. Developed knowledge through a process of research and inquiry with application to a variety of cross-frontier business transactions in the GVC of MNEs.
4. Have the capability of synthesising political, economic, institutional and ethical constraints and advantages in different locations with the development of effective strategic and managerial objectives in the GVC of MNEs.

Transferable skills:
1. Formulate and assess coherent strategic plans in the context of diverse types and quality of information.
2. Evaluate plans for the successful management of organisations that operate in complex political, economic, social and institutional environments.
3. Communicate effectively strategic and managerial plans for an organization.
4. Undertake Learning Outcomes with an awareness of the major ethical implications of these types of activities.


Syllabus

1. The differing perspectives on globalisation and the implications for cross-frontier business transactions and major implications for the GVC of MNEs.
2. The use of the GVC and the concept of the Global Factory to understand and analyse how MNEs can enhance value from cross-frontier business transactions.
3. The implications for the design and evolution of the GVC of MNEs of foreign ownership strategies - exporting, franchising/licensing, offshoring/reshoring, joint ventures, wholly owned subsidiaries - greenfield vs merger and acquisition.
4. Location decisions for the design and evolution of the GVC of MNEs.
5. Technological developments and the design and evolution of the GVC of MNEs – Industry 4.0 and digital business platforms, development in biotechnologies.
6. Strategic policies and the design and development of the GVC of MNEs.
7. Managerial practices and the design and development of the GVC of MNEs.
8. Ethical considerations and corporate social responsibility policies (sustainability, diversity, employment and income distribution effect, modern slavery etc) in the GVC of MNEs.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture112.0022.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours118.00
Total Contact hours32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Online learning material will provide regular opportunity for students to check their understanding (for example through formative MCQs with automated feedback). Regular group activity embedded into learning will allow self and peer assessment providing opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors. The opportunities for format feedback will take place in seminars and in online material available on Minerva.

Methods of assessment


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1)2 hr 100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/06/2022

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