Module Directory

This module is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of international business and strategy, the content and processes of different international expansion modes. The module begins by explaining 'why' firms internationalise and describing the factors that influence the decision to do so.

The module describes different forms of international expansion, from equity and non-equity forms of expansion to online and offline forms of expansion. It then explains 'how' firms internationalise according to different theories of the internationalisation process. The remaining lectures are dedicated to discussing how markets for expansion are selected, evaluated and entered.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce students to the key methods firms use to enter and grow in international markets.


• To explore management challenges and opportunities for businesses operating globally.

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Understand core concepts of international business strategy and foundational theories.


2. Analyze global market opportunities for business expansion.


3. Compare and contrast different modes of international market entry (e.g., exporting, joint ventures, FDI).


4. Explain how internationalization processes apply to SMEs and startups.


5. Describe the relationship between strategy and organizational structure in multinational firms.


6. Recognize the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in international business.


7. Evaluate expansion opportunities in emerging and transition economies.

This module will be delivered via:

• Lectures;
• Seminars;
• Discussion of case studies;
• Discussion of journal articles;
• Class exercises;
• Group work;

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts as mentioned in the indicative module content and will use a range of live examples and cases from business practice to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts.

The seminars will focus extensively on business case studies and selected journal articles. Cases are drawn from a variety of sources including key business newspapers, journal articles, European Case Clearing House (ECCH) and Harvard Business Cases to encourage students to analyse international business environment in different business contexts and develop strategic approaches in response to the case requirements. The seminars are designed to help students to both develop and analyse case studies.

The class exercise will consist of individual and group work based on self-assessment questions and on other set tasks to provide students with the opportunity to develop critical and practical problem skills.