Advanced Topics in International Business (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

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 to prepare students for an internationally oriented career.

At the end of the module, students will

1. have an ability to assess the effects of major economic, management, social and technical trends and factors on businesses operating internationally;
2. have an understanding of shifting competitive advantage and international strategy formation and evolution in major manufacturing and service sectors, and
3. have the ability to use relevant sources of information to carry out research in their chosen 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

FINANCE

International financial markets
Cost of capital & financial structure
Capital budgeting
Transfer pricing

ACCOUNTING & TAXATION

International financial reporting
Performance evaluation & control
Comparative accounting systems & practices
International taxation
Translation/transaction risk

ORGANIZATION

Inter-firm organizations (JVs, alliances & networks)
HQ-subsidiary relations
Hybrid organizations
Organizational learning

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

BUSINESS POLICY

Business & the environment
Business policy Issues
Business strategy
Business-government relations
Global competition & markets
Globalization issues
Global strategy
International strategy
Regional strategy
Outsourcing/OEM issues

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

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Expatriate management
Expatriate managers
International staffing and recruitment

POLITICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

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

ECONOMIC INTEGRATION & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Free trade areas
European Union
NAFTA
Intra-regional trade

E-COMMERCE & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

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