Objectives
Business practitioners increasingly are finding themselves having to operate in an international, indeed global context. The aim of this degree is to provide students with: * A programme in international business and management that will enable them to further develop transferable skills suitable for engaging with the challenges of employment/self-employment and of business activities within the global economy. * Knowledge of international business areas namely: international business environment, international business economics, the regulation of trade, cross cultural management, international marketing; international accounting and finance; international and comparative human resources management, corporate governance (including social responsibility), and the structure of international politics. * Comprehensive understanding of the processes of globalisation in the 21st century and their implications for the business person. * Comprehensive knowledge and skills for successful careers in multinational corporations, non-governmental organisations, multilateral international organisations, and academic research. The course aims to further develop students' transferable intellectual and employability skills. It offers training in understanding and synthesizing research reports with particular application to the empirical study of international management situations, issues and processes. The course is designed for those who wish to become human resource practitioners in academic, consultancy or commercial settings. Practitioners seeking a more in-depth Master's qualification in human resource management, rather than an MBA, will find the course of interest.
Course description
The MSc in International Business is an innovative qualification developed to provide students with the specialist skills required to work in the challenging global economy. It is an excellent programme both for those with business degrees and those from other educational backgrounds who want to work in multinational corporations, non-governmental organisations, multilateral international organisations, or international law firms. The course is suited to those who wish to become managers in international settings. Practitioners seeking a more in-depth Master's qualification in international management, rather than an MBA, will also find the course of interest.
Course Details
The MSc in International Business is an innovative qualification designed to provide students with a sound knowledge and understanding of international business and management. It offers a specialist focus on managing in an international context and has a larger and more specialist component of international management, politics and international relations than in most international business degrees. It is an excellent programme for those wanting to work in multinational corporations, non-governmental organisations, multilateral international organisations, or international law firms. Graduates of this course will be particularly attractive as recruits for companies and other organisations seeking to expand their international activities.
On completion of the MSc graduates will be expected to have gained the following knowledge and competencies.
* You must have knowledge of the theories and concepts relating to international management; business economics and the strategic management of international business operations globally;
* Be able to describe the fundamentals of market economies and the multivalent forces that shape the operating environments of organisations in an international context;
* To explain the many challenges, both ethical and instrumental in managing complex international operations and organisational processes across borders;
* To draw on theoretical concepts to critically analyse and illustrate effective human resource management practices and employee/industrial relations systems for organisations operating in a competitive global environment.
* To explore and discuss the range of ethical, cultural and diversity issues facing managers in organisations which have been influenced by globalisation trends, technological advancements and other changes in the conduct of business;
* To be able to critically analyse the various mechanisms for entering new markets and the emerging economies and the consequent need to cope constructively with diversity, risk and uncertainty.
Typical Modules
International Business Strategy
Main topics of study include: globalisation and its impact on international business strategy; cross-border management: motivations and mentalities; developing international business strategy i: industrial structure and national comparative advantage analyses; developing international business strategy ii: the resource based views of the firm; types of international strategy; entry mode of international business i: overview; entry mode of international business ii: mergers and acquisitions; strategic alliances; developing coordination and control: managing global organisations; international corporate governance and business ethics; strategic leadership and international manager; international strategy of firms in emerging markets; internationalisation of small firms.
International Management
Main topics of study include: the challenge of international management; the political, economic , legal and technological environment; managing interdependence: social responsibility and ethics; the role of culture in international management; the cross cultural communication environment; negotiation, decision making and managing conflict; managing human resources in the international arena; management issues in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.
International Business Economics
Main topics of study include: international Business as an area of study; trends in globalisation; regionalism and multilateralism; features of the international global environment 1; features of the international global environment 2; international trade; trade in services and brain drain; determination of foreign exchange rates; factors determining Foreign Direct Investment; impact of multinational investmen; international R&D and foreign asset seeking investments.
Understanding Business and Management Research
Main topics of study include: the notion of research and the issue of knowledge claims; the role of theory in management and business domain; epistemology and ontology assumptions in positivism and social relativism/constructivism; empiricism; research methods and techniques; research designs (i.e. experimental, longitudinal, case studies, comparative); application of qualitative and quantitative methods to management problems; using extant information and data sets to model complex management problems; the potential and limitations of case study research and survey research methods; planning a research project (writing a research proposal; the role of literature review and secondary research); practical considerations for a research epistemology, method, techniques and execution; criticality and ethical issues, trusting the knowledge claims of others.
Theory and Practice in Management
Main topics of study include: introduction of management; overview of management thoughts; modern management environment; modern management challenge (1): globalisation, big business and the impact; modern management challenge (2): corporate social responsibility; planning and decision making; strategic management: industrial analysis approach and resource based view; managing organizations; managing human resources; leadership; managing knowledge and innovation.
Dissertation
There are few prior constraints on the definition of the subject(s) to be researched, provided that it is: amenable to enquiry, with a realistic expectation of reaching a meaningful conclusion; sufficiently focused to allow its completion within the specified timescale; of appropriate intellectual depth; relevant to the Masters programme followed. The project may take a number of different forms, but will need to include appropriate literature survey and an investigation in a specified area or topic. A professional-focused study which aims to draw upon empirical data to assess critically a specified area or topic. The empirical data may be primary, eg derived from an investigation undertaken by the student; secondary, eg derived from analysis of existing data sets; or derived from a combination of primary and secondary research.
International Marketing
Main topics of study include: the international marketing environment: political risk analysis and criteria for market selection, major emerging markets; the debate between globalisation /standardisation and adaptation, and its implications on international marketing strategy; the concept of culture and its impact on international marketing, the importance of developing a global mindset and cross-cultural understanding; the internationalisation of the firm, motivation and learning process, market entry options with special emphasis on exporting, licensing and strategic alliance; the differences between domestic and international marketing, international marketing mix, global brand management and cross-cultural business negotiation.
Knowledge, Innovation and Learning
Main topics of study include: the module will explore learning at the individual, organisational, and societal levels. It will consider issues relating to the management of learning processes, including developments such as the learning organisation, knowledge management, and communities of practice. Following from this, the module will explain some of the basic ideas associated with innovation theory; technological strategy; intra-firm knowledge flows; and the development of networks for the transfer of knowledge. As part of this discussion, the course will reflect upon relatively new developments in the field, including knowledge transfer both in the global and regional economy; disruptive innovation; and the role of epistemic communities.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Main topics of study include: Enterprise and entrepreneurialism, the entrepreneur, opportunity recognition, creativity and innovation, start-up issues, developing a business plan, financing small firms, growth, contemporary issues in small business management and entrepreneurship. Development of enterpreneurship and small business formation across Europe and the US. Theoretical issues to contemporary case studies of entrepreneurship and small business. Complexities and intricacies surrounding enterpreneurship and small business formation across Europe and the US.
Assessment
Taught modules are assessed either wholly by coursework or by coursework and formal examination. Examinations normally feature in second term modules only. Dissertation research typically involves original research into an international business problem or issue of the student’s choice.
