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, legal and technological environment which shapes international business. Students will acquire knowledge about 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). In addition, students will engage with and critically discuss how current technological developments (such as AI, Algorithms and an increasingly networked public sphere) create new opportunities for and constraints on doing international business. Finally, the course will discuss various emerging challenges to the current 'world order' and its power dynamics. This perspective will include a study of the changing nature of organizations in an increasingly digital economy as well as challenges linked to globalization.
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 (Digitalization, labor standards, poverty and environment)
Students are expected to use Internet during the course. The course is based on lectures, group work, weekly assignments and individual / group wise tutoring.
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Two years of college education in economics and business administration, marketing or equivalent is required for taking the course.
Covid-19
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.
Teaching
Information about what is taught on campus and other digital forms will be presented with the lecture plan before the start of the course each semester.
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 - 4) 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 (1 - 4) 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 - 4) 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.