Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

Course description
The course focuses on the increasing importance of the international dimension of business. The students choose one major theme for their independent learning project, which concentrates on one major theory or framework to broaden their understanding of international business strategies and prepare students for an internationally oriented career.
Objectives
After completing the course, the students will be able to:
Gather in-depth knowledge on the studied topic.
Connect international strategy to business strategy on a focused topic.
Conduct a well-structured analysis of a focused topic.
Develop a solution to a given international business problem.
Write a project report on a focused international business topic.

Content (course unit)

INTERNATIONALIZATION ISSUES

Internationalization process
Born global firms
Third world multinationals
FDI and developing countries
Emerging markets
Location decisions
Economic development
Economics of innovation & Technological transfer

MANAGEMENT

Cross-cultural management
Cultural distance
Culture and international business
Comparative management
Production/sourcing issues
Outsourcing/offshoring/insourcing
Global value chains (GVCs)
Management of technology
Corporate social responsibility
Knowledge management/transfer at the subsidiary level
International entrepreneurship
International Joint ventures
International Strategic alliances
Technology transfer
Issues of trust
Issues of guanxi
International R&D


MARKETING

Comparative marketing
Cross-cultural marketing
Country-of-origin issues
Exports/imports
Foreign market entry modes
Global/regional/local brands
International advertising
International franchising
International marketing management strategy
International product policy issues
International retailing
International sales management
International distribution/logistics/transportation
International marketing & e-commerce
Product differentiation
Brand origin knowledge


POLITICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

Political aspects of MNE activity
Terrorism and security issues
Global sources of supply and logistics/transportation


E-COMMERCE & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Online marketing issues
Global e-exchanges/online marketplaces
Global information hubs

Further information (course unit)

Evaluation criteria - not approved (0)
The student isn't able to identify any principles of international business. The student hasn't been able to submit the required course project.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is able to identify principles of international business. The student is able to develop project report according to instructions.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to determine and apply the concept and tools of international business. The student is able to conduct some analysis and suggest development actions suitable for the international business strategy. The student develops project report for international business, which includes several references.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student masters the concepts and different models of international business and is able to connect international strategy to business strategy in the business context in question. The student is able to conduct well-structured analysis and is able to create, evaluate and combine different solutions to a given international business problem. The student was able to develop rigorous project report for international business, which includes several global references.

Location and time

Sessions will be held according to the schedule in Pakki.

Exam schedules

Final project report/literature review assignment

Assessment methods and criteria

According to TAMK evaluation criteria (0,1-5)
- Knowing
- Doing
- Being

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The Advanced Development Project in International Business is aimed at the development of the student's theoretical, conceptual, and practical competence in the international dimension of business. Students will study intensively about the international dimension of business of their own choice by
Reviewing articles
Analysing case studies
Practicing the research techniques.

Learning materials

Literature on the selected research topic using a variety of sources, such as:
Textbooks
Book chapters
Research studies (journal articles, theses)
Case studies
Industry reports

Student workload

According to the TAMK schedule, ECT credits, and Moodle timing instructions.
Students are expected to:
- Attend meetings with the teacher
- Study materials given to them on their own time
- Complete the project/literature review task according to the schedule

Content scheduling

Internationalization
Management
International Marketing
Political and risk management
International business and E-commerce
Further details are given in the first lesson.

Completion alternatives

N/A

Practical training and working life cooperation

Project work/case studies

International connections

Cases and discussion, global operational business environment, international collaborative projects, international guest speaker.

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

The student isn't able to identify any principles of international business. The student hasn't been able to submit the required course project.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to identify the principles of international business. The student is able to develop project reports according to instructions.

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

The student is able to determine and apply the concepts and tools of international business. The student is able to conduct some analysis and suggest development actions suitable for the international business strategy. The student develops a project report for international business, which includes several references.

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

The student masters the concepts and different models of international business and is able to connect international strategy to business strategy in the business context in question. The student is able to conduct well-structured analysis and is able to create, evaluate, and combine different solutions to a given international business problem. The student was able to develop a rigorous project report for international business, which included several global references.