Menu
close
Apply Now
Contact
Parent Programme
Bachelor of Business Level 7 NFQ
NFQ Level & Reference
Level 7 / Ref: M3.6
Duration
12 Weeks X 2.5 Hours per week
MODULE TITLE
International Business
STAGE
Award
Module Credit Units
ECTS: 5

International Business Module

Introduction to International Business

This module introduces learners to key aspects of international business in today's globalised world. It addresses the growing importance of global operations for companies and the likelihood that business graduates will work in international settings. Understanding tools for evaluating international markets is emphasised. The module distinguishes between domestic and international business, covering essential concepts related to risk. It aims to enhance learners’ comprehension of managing in international contexts, including ethical considerations, negotiation strategies, motivational factors, and cross-cultural management approaches.

Indicative Syllabus Content

Classical, neo-classical and modern trade theories;

  • The technological and political forces that led to globalisation in the 1990s
  • A comparison with the last period of globalisation between 1870 and 1914

Culture and Ethics

  • Cultural analysis using the Hofstede method
  • The variety of ways in which cultural factors tend to affect different industries
  • How different cultures can produce differing types of corporate structure
  • Cultural difference and ethical difference
  • How different cultures can produce different legal systems, and how this affects corporations

Types of international organisations

  • Vertically-integrated companies are compared with companies that outsource much of their activity; analysis of whether companies possess comparative advantage
  • Discussion of B Corporations and their European equivalents, and analysis of whether ESG performance will become used as a competitive advantage (as Danone is attempting to do with food standards)

Global Market Opportunity Assessment              

  • A discussion of the main market-entry strategies: Direct export; franchise; foreign direct investment; portfolio investment; joint venture

International Economic Environment

  • Does success in international business depend largely on comparative advantage, or do the economic environment and the cost of funding have a greater bearing: in other words, can you buy success?
  • Discussion of whether funding costs will change as a result of ESG performance, given that the European Central Bank no longer accepts the bonds of non-ESG-compliant companies as collateral

Human resources management in an international context

  • The different approaches to human resource management across cultures; how companies in some countries take a long-term approach in a recession and hoard labour rather than firing people; Motivation across cultures

Minimum Intended Learning Outcomes (MIMLOs)

Upon successful completion of this module, the learner should be able to:
MIMLO1
Critique the factors that caused globalisation to take off in the 1990s.
MIMLO2
Evaluate how culture impacts on international business.
MIMLO3
Recognise the different types of companies that operate internationally.
MIMLO4
Discuss in detail the ways in which companies can expand abroad.
MIMLO5
Describe in detail how the economic backdrop affects international organisations.

Assessment

MIMLOs
Assessment
Percentage
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Project
Total 100%
Final written examination
All Assessments

Reassessment Opportunity

Where the combined marks of the assessment and examination do not reach the pass mark the learner will be required to repeat the element of assessment that they failed. Reassessment materials will be published on Moodle after the Examination Board Meeting and will be aligned to the MIMLOs and learners will be capped at 40% unless there are personal mitigating circumstances.

Aims & Objectives

This International Business module will enable learners to:

  • Understand the effect of international influences, including the role of foreign direct investment, world trade bodies and agencies on the performance of international organisations.
  • Understand Globalisation which has become such an omnipresent force on the business environment that even those organisations who do not engage in international trade directly can still be affected by it.
  • Understand the importance of the international business environment to ensure that they can be aware of emerging opportunities and threats for organisations of various size and scope.
[TheChamp-Sharing]
APPLY NOW
Top