International Business

This course is a broad survey of the field of international business and provides the foundations for further specialisation in this field. It will begin with a brief overview of international business, focused on the concept of ‘globalisation’. The course will then examine the environment for international firms, particularly the political, social and economic configurations that support crossborder commerce. Amongst others, we will look at the role of national policies and cultures, the evolution of international markets in goods, services and finance, and the supernational mechanisms and infrastructures for trade, investment and finance. The course will then probe international firms: their strategies and organisational design, their entry modes into international enterprise, and their behavioural and control systems. Many parts of the course involve current events, including issues related to international trade, foreign investment and international political conflict, which can all be discussed in the seminars. By the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Identify the main features of the international business environment and its main institutions.
2. Analyse the political, social and economic configurations that support cross-border commerce.
3. Understand the multinational firm as an institutional structure for the conduct of crossborder commerce.
4. Analyse the key decisions that multinational firms make in relation to the choice of markets and entry strategies.
5. Communicate their understanding in a clear and concise way through assignments and seminar participation.
6. Research international business issues and apply theoretical insights to the analysis of such issues in the context of a complex international business environment.