International Business (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course describes the internationalization process of small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s). Students analyze international marketing environment and they learn how it affects the international marketing strategy. The course covers international entry modes and decisions related to international marketing mix.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Analyze the international marketing environment (PESTEL)
Describe the main entry modes in international trade.
Apply the knowledge of the international marketplace to international marketing strategy.
Analyze the marketing mix decisions when entering to a new target country.
Work effectively in a multicultural team.

Content (course unit)

What are the special features of an international marketing environment?
How does international environment affect the international marketing strategy?
What are the main entry modes in international trade?
What are the main product strategies when entering to a new target country?
What are the factors affecting export pricing and promotional mix decisions in the international marketplace?

Exam schedules

Individual exam after the first half of the course
Group project deadline at the end of the course

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Participation in the class and completing the class tasks on time: 25 % the overall grade
2) Individual exam: 25 % of the overall grade
3) Group project: 50 % of the overall grade

Teaching methods

- Interactive lecture
- Group work
- Case studies
- Exercises

Learning materials

Course book "Principles of International Marketing" by Czinkota and Ronkainen

Student workload

Lectures 2 x 3 hours a week, individual work 4-6 hours a week

Content scheduling

Part 1: Individual study: Chapters 1-3 from the course book before the lectures star
Part 2: Deepening the understanding of international marketing with the help of literature, lectures and case studies
Part 3: Working in small groups to prepare an analysis of a company's international marketing activities

Completion alternatives

There are no alternative ways to pass the entire course. It will be possible to repeat the individual exam on additional exam dates later.

Practical training and working life cooperation

On the second half of the course the students will work on a group project on international business.

Further information

The course will start with a self-study of the course book chapters 1-3.
The lectures will start on September 1, 2015 with the test of understanding of these parts.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course sufficiently. Student understands the core principles of international marketing. Student recognizes and is able to explain and use the concepts and models of international marketing. Student is however passive in class and/or has not completed the class tasks regularly.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course well although the skills and competences need further development. Student is able to explain and apply the concepts of international marketing well. The grade of the group work is 3-4.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has achieved the objectives of the course excellently. The student masters the concepts and models of international marketing in an excellent manner. Student is able to conduct fluent and reasoned analysis and has good capabilities to apply the learning. The grade of the group work is 4-5 and the individual exercises and the participation in the class are grade 5. Student is active in class and has completed the all the class tasks.