EXC 3631 International Business Environment

EXC 3631 International Business Environment

Course code: 
EXC 3631
Department: 
Communication and Culture
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Eli Moen
Morten Huse
Course name in Norwegian: 
International Business Environment
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
BBA - Specialisation in International Business
Semester: 
2017 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

The international business environment course will help students understand how to conduct business internationally. The course will in particular focus on the political and legal environment, which has an enormous influence on business related to tariffs, investments, trade etc. The students will acquire knowledge about the international and multinational organizations that drive and facilitate processes of global economic integration. Such organizations comprise the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organizations as well as regional agreements such as the EU and the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). To succeed in international business an understanding of the organizations that regulate cross-border business activities is essential.
The course also aims to provide an understanding of challenges, not only benefits, linked with globalization such as environmental issues, climate change, and ethical issues linked with working conditions, the treatment of workers and corruption, is critical for working in an international business environment.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

Students will learn about the following topics:

  • Recent trends in the process of globalization
  • Trading in the context of the World Trade Organization
  • The growth of regional trading blocs and their business implications
  • International differences in the costs of doing business
  • Benefits and risks linked with outsourcing and global production chains

 

Learning outcomes - Skills
  • Based on acquired knowledge of core topics students will be able to identify and apply formal and informal rules in international business for managing cross-border business activities.
Learning Outcome - Reflection
  • Students will ideally develop knowledge and management skills whether and how to enter foreign markets in relation to formal and informal rules in foreign markets as well as competence to reflect on challenges linked with ethical dilemmas, environmental issues and climate change.
Course content

The course relies on theoretical concepts, empirical evidence, and a broad understanding of international institutional environments. Case studies will illustrate and advance theoretical concepts developed in the lectures.

  • Understanding institutions
  • The regulation of international trade
  • Key international organizations
  • Regional dynamics, emerging economies
  • Global challenges: the environment, labour standards, poverty
Learning process and requirements to students

Students are expected to use Internet during the course

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Additional information

.

Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Required prerequisite knowledge

General knowledge of business administration subjects

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Written submission
Weight: 
100
Grouping: 
Group/Individual (1 - 3)
Duration: 
3 Day(s)
Exam code: 
EXC36311
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Exam organisation: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
36 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
29 Hour(s)
Group work / Assignments
50 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
55 Hour(s)
Examination
30 Hour(s)
Exam and examination preparation.
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.