EXC 3631 International Business Environment
EXC 3631 International Business Environment
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 revised NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). To succeed in international business an understanding of the organizations that regulate cross-border business activities is essential. to succeed in international business it is also essential to understand how the UN's Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is creating a new business environment.
The course will also present and discuss developments challenging this world order. This perspective will then incluce disadvantages 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Students are expected to use Internet during the course. The course is based on lectures, group work, weekly assigments and individual / group wise tutoring.
Due to change in the exam elements, a re-sit examination in EXC 36311 will be offered autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
The specialisation requires two years of university education in Business Administration or equivalent.
General knowledge of business administration subjects
| Assessments |
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Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 20 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 5) Duration: 1 Week(s) Exam code: EXC36312 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
Exam category: Activity Form of assessment: Presentation and discussion Weight: 20 Grouping: Group (8 - 10) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: Points will be set as a result of active participation throughout the course - individually and in groups. Exam code: EXC36312 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 60 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 3) Duration: 3 Day(s) Exam code: EXC36312 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
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. |
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.