BE413-5-AP-KS:
International Business Environment
2020/21
Essex Business School
Kaplan Singapore
Autumn & Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 26 March 2021
15
07 January 2020
Requisites for this module
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This module builds upon a basic understanding of management, and in particular of environmental influences on the way in which organizations function and are managed. It provides a more advanced understanding of the international context which helps to shape the strategies and operations of organizations, and explores some of the current issues and challenges facing organizations within the international business environment.
In particular, the module focuses on international political economy, covering the major economic systems in the world, and tracing the historical evolution of the global order. It also explores the implications of globalisation for the various functional dimensions of the organization.
The aims of the module are:
1. To provide an understanding of the international business environment.
2. Through discussion and debate, to develop reasoning skills applicable to the analysis of the international business environment and the current issues and challenges facing organizations operating within it.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Understand the historical evolution of the international business environment.
2. Understand the political, economic, socio-cultural and technological dimensions that shape the international business environment.
3. Understand a range of contemporary issues and challenges facing organizations operating within the international business environment.
After completing this module students should have developed the following transferable skills:
1. Enhanced their written communication skills through the preparation of coursework assignments.
2. Improved their oral communication skills through class discussions and presentations.
3. Improved their research skills through researching in preparation of two essays.
4. Enhanced their teamwork-collaboration skills through in-class group exercises.
5. Developed digital and technical fluency skills through the use of tablets, laptops and smartphones in preparation for lectures and classes, preparation of assignments, and participation in lectures/classes using the EVS.
6. Developed awareness of the relevance and importance of various environments of international businesses through the analysis of case studies such as McDonald, Wal-Mart, Toyota, Nike, BHP Billiton, Nestle, and Sony, among others.
10 x 1 hour lectures that focus on the concepts, issues and theories related to the international business environment. This formal lecture each week will present an overview of each topic and provide the stimulus for your further investigation of the subject area. It is important that you appreciate that the lectures are only designed to provide you with a starting point for your studies.
9 x 1 hour classes that enable you to engage actively with your reading through case study analysis, close reading of theoretical and empirical research-based texts, in-class discussion, group work and student presentations. Whilst they involve structured activities, they are intended to be student-led. It is therefore imperative that you prepare thoroughly before the class through reading assigned cases or texts prior to class sessions, taking notes and preparing responses to questions. Classes are weekly. Attendance is compulsory and will be monitored.
- Cindy Qin; Prem Ramburuth; Yue Wang. (©2013) 'John Parker’s expatriate experiences in China', in Dynamics of international business: Asia-Pacific business cases, Port Melbourne, VIC: Cambridge University Press., pp.137-144
- Hamilton, Leslie; Webster, Philip. (2018) The international business environment, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Morrison, Janet. (2009) International business: challenges in a changing world, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Doh, Jonathan P. (2005-05) 'Offshore Outsourcing: Implications for International Business and Strategic Management Theory and Practice', in Journal of Management Studies. vol. 42 (3) , pp.695-704
- (©2013) Dynamics of international business: Asia-Pacific business cases, Port Melbourne, VIC: Cambridge University Press.
- (2013) From Bangalore to Boston: The trend of bringing IT back in-house: Deloitte.
- Michael E. Porter. (1998) 'Clusters and the new economics of competition', in Harvard Business Review. vol. 76 (6) , pp.77-
- Farrell, Diana. (2005-05) 'Offshoring: Value Creation through Economic Change', in Journal of Management Studies. vol. 42 (3) , pp.675-683
- CEMEX: Globalization “The CEMEX Way”, https://mitsloan.mit.edu/LearningEdge/strategy/CEMEXGlobalization/Pages/CEMEX-Lessard.aspx
- Dicken, Peter. (2015) 'Fabric-ating fashion: the clothing industries', in Global shift: mapping the changing contours of the world economy, London: Sage Publications.
- James Brian Quinn. (1992) Intelligent enterprise: a knowledge and service based paradigm for industry, New York: Free Press.
- Levy, David L. (2005-05) 'Offshoring in the New Global Political Economy', in Journal of Management Studies. vol. 42 (3) , pp.685-693
- Womack, James P.; Jones, Daniel T.; Roos, Daniel. (1991) The machine that changed the world: how Japan's secret weapon in the global auto wars will revolutionize western industry, New York: HarperPerennial.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr James Fowler, email: james.fowler@essex.ac.uk.
James Fowler, Juneho Um
E: ebsugcol@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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