International Business Management
MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• Responsible and Ethical Leadership Core

Responsible and Ethical Leadership (Core)

This module is concerned with the behaviour of managers and leaders when they are held responsible and accountable by standards other than shareholder value maximisation. The module is designed to ensure students understand how to reason ethically and how to approach ethical decision making within business and other management contexts, such as non-profit and third sector organisations.

Students will understand how unethical or reckless leadership of organisations can give rise to malpractice, undermine organisational viability and lead to reputational collapse whilst also harming wider society. In relation to business corporations, models of governance and frameworks that emphasise the primacy of shareholders will be considered as well as alternative models, and the importance of corporate purpose. In analysing how the principles of responsible decision-making should operate through management, ownership and governance, students will apply ethical thinking to real-life business and leadership situations thus helping them to become ethical decision makers and ethical leaders in the context in which they work.

The module will include a particular emphasis on tools to evaluate ethical behaviour in organisations.

The module will also address ethical and legal obligations in relation to personal data, the treatment of employees and environmental issues.

Assessment focuses on the development of a reflective personal leadership plan and the development of a case study.

Credits: 20

• Economics and International Finance Core

Economics and International Finance (Core)

This module is about understanding the complexities of the role of international trade and finance in the global economy from an ethically sound perspective.

The purpose is to delve deeper into how firms could enhance and harness their knowledge of international economics and finance to prosper in the global environment and how this leads to higher living standards for people. Doing business across borders is different from doing it at home.

It entails a whole new set of managerial challenges:

• Understanding fundamental economic theories of international trade
• Measuring the impact of government rules and regulations on international trade and investment
• Reassessing competitive advantage
• Evaluating the role of international financial institutions
• Consider the effects of currency fluctuations on businesses
• Trading regimes and understanding the complication of interlinked global financial markets

The module builds a framework of analysis that enables managers to understand the challenges of international economics and finance and to capitalize on the opportunities they represent responsibly.

Credits: 20

• International Strategy Core

International Strategy (Core)

The module has a strong international component, it explores strategies, strategy processes, and strategy concepts associated with multinational organisations. The module helps students to develop an understanding of strategy formation in business organisations, as well as non-governmental organisations and other organisational forms.

The module will provide students with a comprehensive appreciation of strategy formulation and implementation from both an organisational and individual perspective. Themes like strategic decision making, organisational structure, organisational learning, and the organisational environment will feature on this module.

Credits: 20

• Global People Management Core

Global People Management (Core)

This module is designed for students who want to embark on advanced level study of the strategic management of people in organisations in a global context. Students develop analytical and evaluation skills of comparative approaches that can be applied to real work situations.

The module recognises that people management is a key force for successful economic growth and thus emphasises the development of knowledge and understanding of a range of cultural, comparative and organisational perspectives on people management.

Students will not only explore theories and practices but also how to apply them effectively in an innovative manner. The module is also designed to give students an insight into the challenges and complexities in developing global leaders and their role in cross-border integration of international businesses.

Credits: 20

• Independent Project Core

Independent Project (Core)

This module has two parts: a taught element and an element of independent work. The taught element enables students to develop their understanding of research skills and their practical applications in investigating managerial and business problems and covers the details of a research proposal. The second part (independent work) builds on the developed research skills and provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project and requires the development of a substantive piece of work (dissertation).

Students demonstrate their ability to manage a research project from its conception to completion. Throughout this journey, supervisors are available to provide guidance and support to the students. Depending on the circumstances and availability, students can research challenges in specific organisations (consultancy project).

Note: This module starts in Semester 2 with classes throughout the term, and then carries on with their individual project. Students commencing the programme in September submit in August and students joining the programme in January submit the following January

Credits: 60

• Digital Business Optional

Digital Business (Optional)

This module has been designed with input from digital practitioners to answer the growing demands for professionals with advanced digital skills and business acumen. The module will help students foment and develop understanding of how digitalisation and internet technologies enable and disrupt value-creation.

Moreover, given the broad scope of digital business, this module adopts an integrative approach drawing on new and existing perspectives and models from many disciplines, including information systems, strategy, marketing, supply chain management, operations and human resources management. The interdisciplinary nature of the module will allow students to get a wide knowledge of digital practices and theories and to appreciate the variety of digital applications in different business department.

Furthermore, the module considers the impact of digital business developments on industry life cycles from a strategic and global perspective. All of the above is supplemented by real-life case studies, live projects and workshops. Guest lecturers and practitioners from the field will improve your understanding and knowledge of practice, including developing business solutions based on real-life scenarios and real data. You will learn how to initiate, lead, and successfully implement digital transformations strategically and in practice.

Credits: 20

• International Marketing Optional

International Marketing (Optional)

This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the nature of the marketing function and how marketers act when operating internationally. While underpinned by marketing theory, the module focuses on the practical application of marketing in international organisations, its relationship to other business functions, and the impact that marketing can have on an international organisation.

Credits: 20

• Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Optional

Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Optional)

In this module, students will have the opportunity to learn about the concepts of creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while also developing and using their creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative faculties. The module begins with an introduction to some wicked problems in cross-cultural contexts that creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation may be able to help influence. After this, the module explores organisational mechanisms through which these concepts can be brought to bear on wicked problems – including new ventures, corporate venturing, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The module concludes with an investigation of design thinking, where during which students will gain an understanding of design thinking principles and techniques, and to develop their own ideas for creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative solutions to the wicked problems with which they are concerned. Assessment is distributed across the duration of the module, with a new section being added to the student’s portfolio mid-semester, and the second half at semester conclusion.

Credits: 20

• Sustainability, Governance and Social Capital Optional

Sustainability, Governance and Social Capital (Optional)

The module equips students with a sound understanding of the challenges that sustainable development makes to business practice. It examines the key economic, social and cultural issues in the relationship between business and the environment, and explores sustainable development in the global context of rapid economic and environmental change.

Credits: 20

• Principles and Practice of Financial Accounting Optional

Principles and Practice of Financial Accounting (Optional)

This module covers the main principles of financial accounting. Students will learn the skills to produce detailed analysis and accounts for financial statements and related documents. The module will provide a high-level awareness of the different accounting regimes around the world and the implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation.

By the end of the module students will have:

• an in-depth and rigorous understanding of accounting theory
• an understanding of how different forms of business combination are accounted for
• an understanding of what is contained in Company Financial Statements, corporate governance and the responsibility of directors
• the skills to produce relevant analysis of corporate accounts
• knowledge of UK GAAP, US GAAP, IFRS and the internationalisation of accounting standards, and public and private companies, highlighting the key differences
• an understanding of the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and UK corporate governance
• an understanding of the likely developments in accounting re corporate social reporting and sustainability accounting.

 

Credits: 20

• Personal and Professional Practice Optional

Personal and Professional Practice (Optional)

This module provides students with the opportunity to identify and address key personal, professional and career development issues relevant to their area of interest. Students will have the opportunity reflect upon their own core competencies, personal qualities and areas for development, having undertaken in-depth psychometric testing.

These tests generate a detailed report which the students will use to help identify and explore key areas for development within the context of their future career aspirations.

The module incorporates a period of work experience which will enable the student to focus on both the practical application and development of their key skills within a real-world setting. The combination of psychometric testing, reflection and analysis of the workplace will culminate in the production of a focussed personal development action plan (PDAP).

Credits: 20