International Business Strategy Module

Question:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

•Understand the catalysts for international expansion, including country, industry, and firm influences;

•Understand unique management issues that confront international business units;

•Analyse different competitive strategies in globalising industries;

•Understand the process of international expansion generically;

•Examine how changes in strategy create organisational tension, especially in headquarter-subsidiary relations;

•Analyse historical globalisation patterns in strategic industries;

•Assess strategies needed to compete internationally.

Successful students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate knowledge and thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts, principles, theories, practices and legislative frameworks underlying international business as an academic discipline and as a tool for improved management of international businesses.

2 Apply critical evaluation to complex arguments and evidence in the field of international business.

3 Formulate strategies to support successful international operations in diverse contexts.

4 Assess the implications, risks, security, integrity and confidentiality aspects of applying innovative solutions across multi-national and trans-national companies.

TEACHING PLAN

The content covered for this module is listed as follows:

Week 1: Introduction to Global Strategy – Module Overview

Learning Outcomes

•Introduction to students, staff and module

•Understand the teaching and assessment requirements to successfully complete the Global Strategy Module over the next 12 weeks

•Reflect on your previous knowledge of business strategy

•Consider what business strategy means in an international context

•Identify a multinational corporation and review its corporate plan

Week 2: Globalisation

Learning Outcomes

•Explain the concept of globalisation

•Describe the changes which have taken place in the global business environment in the last century

•Describe the effects of globalisation on markets and production

•Describe the institutions that support globalisation

•Explain how technology and innovation in transportation support globalisation

•Discuss pros and cons of globalisation and its effects on developing nations

Week 3: The Global Environment

Learning Outcomes

•Explain the different political, economic and legal systems

•Illustrate the implications of these systems for international business

•Outline the determinants of economic development

•Discuss the relationship between democracy and development

•Explain the significance of national cultures and subcultures within nations

•Evaluate the cultural role of religion and its influence on the practice of business

Week 4: Global Strategy and Sources of Competitive Advantage

Learning Outcomes

•Define the components of new trade theory

•Describe the implication of new trade theory for business and government

•Discuss and apply the theory of National competitive advantage

•Explain the basis for strategic trade policy

Week 5: International Strategy Formulation

Learning Outcomes

•Understand the meaning of strategy for firms within an international context.

•Suggest the reasons why firms may decide to enter international business.

•Discuss the important of value creation within an international context.

•Identify the benefits from international strategies

•Outline the basic strategies undertaken by MNEs, and specifically focus on how they relate to the needs for local responsiveness and cost minimization

Week 6: Strategic Initiatives for Global Growth

Learning Outcomes

•Evaluate the criteria that firms use to select foreign markets for international growth.

•Outline the importance of timing of entry and scale of entry for the firm.

•Define and list the advantages and disadvantages of the six market entry modes.

•Define and describe the benefits and challenges associated with acquisitions versus Greenfield ventures

•Analyse the benefits and challenges of strategic alliances

Week 7: International Strategy Implementation

Learning Outcomes

•Discuss the complexity and identify the challenges associated with strategy implementation;

•Understand the importance of staff communications in strategy implementation;

•Identify the linkages between strategy implementation and organisational structure;