International Business MBus top-up

Modules

• Semesters one and two

  The below modules are studied in the first two semesters of the course, and aim to cover a broad foundation of knowledge, placed within an international context. You will have the opportunity to study modules on leadership, entrepreneurship and strategy, as well as a focused module designed to support your presentation skills in English. All modules on this course are mandatory.

  Principles of Strategy - 20 credits

  Strategic management has now evolved to the point that its primary value is to help the organisation operate successfully in a dynamic, complex environment. To be competitive in this environment, businesses have to become less bureaucratic and more flexible, including the ability to shift from one dominant strategy to another. This strategic flexibility also demands a long term commitment to the development and nurturing of critical resources in this environment driven by technical and social change.

  All managers need to be involved in the strategic management process in order to put together the most effective strategy that achieves better organisational performance, as well as developing and maintaining the firm’s position of competitive advantage. Strategy is about identifying and working on key issues for the future of the organisation and involves activities such as: scanning the environment for critical information, suggesting changes to strategies and programs to take advantage of environmental shifts, and working with others to continuously improve work methods, procedures and evaluation techniques. Those on this module will therefore learn about the systematic analysis of the factors associated with an organisation’s external and internal environment that provide the basis for maintaining optimum management strategies and practices. You will also engage in debate on critical business issues such as corporate values (ethics) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) both at home and on the international scene.

  The main aim of the module is to provide you with the concepts, frameworks and techniques of strategic decision making to enable them to assess competitive conditions, evaluate corporate capabilities and identify means for businesses to establish sustainable competitive advantage in its industry.

  Project Management for Business - 20 credits

  Business and organisations are constantly changing. Regardless of whether organisations are planning to expand or rationalise, managing projects that facilitate change are an integral part of ensuring competitive advantage for an organisation. This module is designed to introduce you to the processes of project management in a business environment. It aims to develop your understanding and skills in the use of project management tools and techniques, and in the impact of effective people skills on the outcomes of projects.

  English Business Presentation Skills - 10 credits

  This module helps those of international business to develop their English language knowledge and skills to a level where they can communicate effectively and independently. This is achieved in a context where the language is used for the study of business skills. The emphasis is on developing practical reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to support the study of business-related courses at the university. This module will involve activities designed to increase the range and effectiveness of your use of English language and the development of study and communication skills in a business and academic context.

  Entrepreneurship and Innovation - 10 credits

  Sustainable and continuous paths of organisational growth require innovation and diffusion of new technologies that are socially and economically acceptable. This complex process evolves through the interaction of technological, economic and social forces operating at various levels. It also encourages you to develop a critical appreciation of current academic debates on 'entrepreneurship' as well as research evidence on the application of this and other closely related concepts. The module enables you to identify entrepreneurial and innovation characteristics and skills. Case studies at organisational, sector and country levels will be extensively used to complement main theories.

  International Leadership - 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to develop a solid knowledge and understanding of leadership. It will seek to assess your own leadership behaviours and potential in the context of organisational working practices and cultures. This module will examine effective leadership and management of human capital, and leadership as a determinant of organisational success within an international context.

  The module will assist you to identify factors that influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations and the subsequent effect on teams. You will explore theories and practices of contemporary leadership and management. Various leadership styles will be canvassed and applied reflexively within the context of international business management.

  International Business and People Relations - 20 credits

  This is a research-driven module that provides a critical evaluation of the globalisation of human resource management strategies from various perspectives. The module introduces the key concepts for understanding international human resource management, and explores the practice of managing human resources in an international context.

  The intercultural factor will also be examined and appraised from an anthropological point of view, emphasising the operational aspect of the organisation of performance efficient systems of work in international settings.

  Research Methods for International Business - 20 credits

  The module aims to enable you to understand the importance of gaining and using knowledge and evidence to inform international business decision-making and academic study. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to collect, critically evaluate, analyse, interpret and present relevant information. This module will encourage you to engage with a variety of academic perspectives, theories and epistemological considerations that inform international business research and decision-making in an international business and management context.

  Compulsory

• Semesters three and four

  The below modules, studied over the final two semesters of the course, offer deeper insight into specialist areas of importance for international business. These areas include the global supply chain, marketing, trade management and conducting business in emerging reasons. You will also be expected to conduct an International Business Project, which will draw upon your learning to interrogate a topic of interest to you. All modules on this course are mandatory.

  Global Supply Chain and Logistics - 15 credits

  This module provides knowledge and a thorough understanding of the management of the distribution and logistics function in contemporary organisations. The module will introduce the core concepts and theories that are pre-requisite for the successful management of logistics within the overall context of the organisation. The overall fit of the logistics function will be explored in context of attaining and sustaining competitive advantage and world-class status for global organisations. The module will explore supply chain networks and the importance of supply chain management. Current logistical trends such as lean management of the logistics and supply chain function will also be analysed. Other areas explored will include procurement, inventory management, transportation and warehousing.

  International Business Strategy and Leadership - 15 credits

  This module provides knowledge and a thorough understanding of the concepts, principles and major analytical approaches of strategy. This module focuses on the systematic external and internal analysis and aims to expose the formulation and implementation of corporate and business level strategies.

  In addition, this module gives you an introduction to the key issues, theories and debates in international leadership. You will consider and debate the differences between leadership and management and will study a range of different perspectives to give a critical understanding of the theory and practice of leadership and management. Subjects studied will include trait theory, situational leadership, and fellowship, transactional and transformational leadership.

  International Business Performance Management - 15 credits

  This module will enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of how business performance is managed within both national and international organisations. With increasing globalisation, differences in political environments across borders and diversified opportunities, it is important for businesses that operate internationally to understand how to manage performance in an international business environment.

  The module will also aim to provide you with the tools and knowledge required to identify, measure and develop performance in organisations by linking the performance objectives of everyone in the organisation and its extended value chain. Performance management will be critically illustrated and practically applied through the application of real world cases and scenarios.

  Global Business in Emerging Regions - 15 credits

  This module aims to introduce you to the world of International business in emerging markets. While focusing on the nature of the business environment in specific emerging regions, the module aims to highlight the importance of global business issues like ethics, sustainable practices, government business linkages, the role of transnationals from advanced economies in emerging markets, and resource driven economic growth in emerging regions. You will be exposed to contemporary issues such as doing business globally, the role of governments, formal and informal networks and the effects of geopolitics on the business environment.

  The country specific projects that each group is expected to complete will provide an element of realism in creating management insights for future practitioners of international business in these regions.

  You are expected to engage in problem solving, decision making, global research skills and appreciation of the cultural environment of countries. The learning will incorporate through examples and case studies the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME): sustainability, social responsibility, responsible leadership and ethics.

  Marketing in an International Perspective - 15 credits

  The module aims to develop a critical understanding of the principles and practice of marketing in the international marketplace. The module invites discussion and analyses of key managerial decisions on formulating and executing international marketing activities and is designed to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of marketing concepts including environmental analysis, buying behaviour, strategic market segmentation, targeting and positioning, and international marketing mixes in the international context. You will undertake critical analyses of these concepts by applying them to different marketing contexts in the international market place.

  International Trade Management - 10 credits

  This module aims to provide you with the key principles of international trade, related conceptual foundations and implications on associated practices. It will inform learners about some of the strategic, operational and tactical approaches and considerations related to managing trade internationally.

  International Business Project - 30 credits

  In this module you will carry out a substantive piece of independent (or group) research into a business issue relevant to your course of study. You will draw upon their knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse in a specialist area of interest. You will chose an academic area related to their programme of study and apply their independent learning skills to research this area in depth. You will receive academic support through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor.

  The module includes three routes, and students will be given the opportunity to select their preferred route, although all project titles must be approved by the project supervisor in advance of commencing the project. The three routes are:

  • Route 1: An individual research based dissertation
  • Route 2: An individual project report
  • Route 3: A group project report. Where work is completed as part of a group, each group may have no more than five members.

  Subject to availability and competitive application, the project (for all routes) may be undertaken as part of an internship in a business environment.

  Compulsory