International Business Management
MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• Fundamental Principles of Business (only offered to applicants with a non-business first degree) Core

Fundamental Principles of Business

((only offered to applicants with a non-business first degree) Core)

Students that have graduated with a non-business degree will be required to study this module so that they may comprehend and contribute to advanced discussions concerning the theories, models, concepts and ideas that underpin the rest of the Masters Programme.

Subjects studied will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Principles of Ethical Management
• Human Resource Management
• Finance
• Organisational Behaviour
• Economics
• Strategic Management

20 Credits

• Applied Research Skills Core

Applied Research Skills

(Core)

The overall aim of this module is to enable students to understand how a range of research methods can be used to structure inquiry and develop the evidence base for business management issues within a globalised context.

Techniques learnt may include but not be limited to: qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics, grounded theory, case study and multivariate analysis. Students will learn how to investigate either business or social issues currently challenging the socio-economic environment.

Please note: this module is required to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to programme accreditation). 

20 Credits

• Consultancy Project/Research Project Core

Consultancy Project/Research Project

(Core)

In this module, the student elects to complete either a consultancy project or a research-based dissertation. For the consultancy project the individual student performs an authoritative piece of work on a business or management brief established by a real project client. The work will typically take an in-depth look into a defined research area, and result in a substantial report containing extensive research, rigorous scenario analysis and practical conclusions. The consultancy project is an opportunity for students to engage in a form of action research through application of knowledge pragmatically to real-world situations and interactive feedback with real clients. Feedback to the clients on the feasible solutions will therefore form an integral part of the assessment.

The research project affords the opportunity to work independently at an advanced academic level. The research project aims to:

• Develop skills of source analysis and interpretation
• Assess a range of primary source material and the relevant secondary literature
• Develop students' powers of historical argument
• Develop skills of primary research, including project and information management, independent working and the ability to research primary and secondary materials independently

These skills will be developed via the research project investigating and addressing contemporary issues within the international business environment. International students will be welcome to address topics affecting their domestic business environment in relation to international trade and commerce.

40 Credits

• International Finance and Accounting Core

International Finance and Accounting

(Core)

International managers need to be able to both analyse and comprehend accounting and financial data to support and evaluate a company's international business goals and to develop appropriate an international financial strategy for its future.

This module is designed to teach students how to develop and analyse various and appropriate financial data, and to understand the important relationship between financial instruments, decision-making and business strategy on a globalised scale.

Students will learn how to recognize the importance of accounting information and the criticality of ethical financial reporting. They will also learn to examine the correct accounting methodology for analysing business transactions, making business decisions and measuring business results.

20 Credits

• International Strategic Management Core

International Strategic Management

(Core)

Organisations are dependent on their socio-business environment. In turn, these environments can change, new organisations enter and exit, and the supply of resources can become scarce. When environments become uncertain, organisations face the prospect either of not surviving or changing their activities in response to new influences. Therefore, to survive and become effective, an organisation must make adaptations to the changing situations.

Strategic management processes are an essential management tool to enable companies to cope successfully with globalisation effects and increased degrees of complexity in the nature of the business environment. This module aims to analyse the operation of strategic management from initial analysis through to implementation based on contextual environmental drivers. The module will provide students with a comprehensive appreciation of the formulation and development of strategy from both an organisational and individual perspective.

Particular emphasis will be placed on developing student's awareness of developing strategic concepts underpinned by contemporary issues related to corporate social responsibility and responsible management. These will be applied across a range of different sectors including the Third, Public and Private sectors.

Please note: this module is required to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to programme accreditation). 

20 Credits

• Responsible Management and Leadership in a Global Economy Core

Responsible Management and Leadership in a Global Economy

(Core)

Corporate scandals that illustrate greed and rampant materialism have led to an increased distrust in business leaders whether fraud, embezzlement or insider trading; these scandals have led to a lack of faith in the manner that business is conducted. Such behaviours are not only harmful to the well-being, performance and reputation of organisations but they are detrimental to society. One of the key factors that lead to such disasters is the unethical decisions of business leaders. It has been noted that the leaders responsible for these scandals are graduates of business schools and that many management programmes have failed to convey ethics, social responsibility and good moral habits to their graduates.

This module addresses these concerns and teaches the essential and advanced principles of responsible management and discusses issues related to business ethics. It covers philosophical foundations and applications of ethical theory to real-life case studies and hypothetical dilemmas. It also discusses causes and consequences of unethical behaviour and develops skills and knowledge in ethical management practices.

Please note: this module is required to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to programme accreditation). 

20 Credits

• Digital Business Optional

Digital Business

(Optional)

In the last 20 years, online and digital business has been the mainstay of traditional and e-commerce based organisations. This trend looks to be proceeding at a faster change as we move into the era of 4G technology.

This module will enable students to:

• Develop an understanding of the impact of the internet and e-Business on various industry sectors
• Learn about emerging corporate ICT strategic needs and how these are assessed in view of new e-Business opportunities
• Learn how to formulate and develop an integrated corporate e-Business strategy
• Understand how to select e-Business enabling technologies and assess strategic e-Business models, planning and evaluating resource implications
• Understand the design and implementation of secure robust e-Business systems
• Develop an awareness of e-Business system methodologies and packages. Learn how to select and configure enterprise based tools
• Learn how to develop competitive strategies for international business enterprises
• Acquire an understanding of contemporary management practice and current management drivers and the emergence of the new agility paradigm. Develop strategic management and business economics policies.

20 Credits

• Economics and Finance Optional

Economics and Finance

(Optional)

This module focusses on the application of economic theory to the understanding and assessment of global economic performance and the role of economics and finance to investigate and address contemporary issues facing a globalised society.

It is designed to complement microeconomics, macroeconomics and finance theories by examining the applications of the theories with a specific focus on international business. By the end of this module, students should be able to:

• critically evaluate aspects of global economic performance and international business
• apply their understanding of economic and financial concepts to real-world situations
• demonstrate an understanding of how economic and financial theories are used to formulate international policies

This module will provide student both the knowledge and skillset to comprehend the role of economic and finance theories and their role in shaping the role of government and business in both developing and developed countries.

20 Credits

• Industry Placement: International Business Management in Practice Optional

Industry Placement: International Business Management in Practice

(Optional)

This module gives students an opportunity to develop a critical awareness of business practice while gaining practical experience in a business setting. They will practice their international business communications and see how applied theoretical knowledge works in practice. Work undertaken may be in any business-related activity such as finance, marketing, digital business, human resources, to name but a few.

Students will engage in action research to complete a project which will be agreed with the organisation and which will result in, for instance, a recommendation for change, an analysis of current practice, an evaluation of the strategic potential of new initiatives, the development of new systems or practices.

Projects might include, for instance:

• Researching a new market
• Developing a database of contacts
• Surveying existing or potential customers
• Developing or critiquing a social media strategy
• Preparing marketing materials
• Reviewing policy, process and/or practice

 

The University will provide help with sourcing the placement and will liaise with the organisation to approve project ideas. Placements will be over a 10 week period, usually one day a week in an organisation (normal working hours are 9 – 5) with a minimum total of 70 hours in the workplace. Students will receive pre-placement support and briefings to cover workplace expectations, professionalism at work, the language of business and how to make an impact.

Students will also attend lectures and take part in online discussions. These sessions will include:

• Work-based Action Research
• Workplace Dynamics
• Personal code of ethics
• International Business Communication(s)
• Identifying and critiquing responsible business practice
• Professional practice and self-development in a professional setting
• Organisational culture
• Reflective practice and reflective writing.

Online discussions and directed study through the online environment will be tailored to students’ workplace contexts. Assessment is via a project portfolio which will be independently developed by each student, which may include, for example, a written report, video footage, data analysis, presentations. The student will be given guidance and support in developing their portfolio through one-to-one tutorials and online discussions. Students will also reflect on their learning so that they can understand their contribution and impact in the workplace as well as critiquing their performance and setting targets for the future.

20 Credits

• Intercultural Management Optional

Intercultural Management

(Optional)

More and more organisations are working across national borders. Success as an international manager means being able to understand and operate in the global marketplace. This requires an understanding of diverse business practices; the ability to reconcile cultural differences and dilemmas and to recognise them as social elements of strategy that are important for global success; the ability to identify the opportunities that cultural diversity presents; and the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity in a heterogeneous work or business environment.

The main aims of this module are: to foster in-depth theoretical comprehension of the concept of culture in all its complexity, and of the different levels of culture that are at work in cross-cultural contexts; to explore intercultural sensitivity and its relationship within the workplace; to develop the performance of complex skills and attitudes for being effective in cross-cultural situations; to support students in gaining a deeper understanding through critically analysing contemporary social and cultural issues in the societies under investigation; to utilise current research to aid solid understanding of the module content; to create awareness of the limitations of current thought through an exploration of dominant discourses.

20 Credits

• International Business Law Optional

International Business Law

(Optional)

This module provides a broad learning experience in the regulation of business both in the UK, Europe and at a global level, and will involve many aspects of business law, from corporate, banking and intellectual property, to international trade.

Students will be able to approach business problems from a legislative point of view, and examine legal rules to identify their coherence and consistency. Students will also be able to evaluate legal business solutions in terms of the law's purpose and underlying rationale, and from both economic and social perspectives.

20 Credits

• International Human Resource Management Optional

International Human Resource Management

(Optional)

Global organisations explore Human Resource Management (HRM) in an international setting, in response to the increasing internationalisation and workforce diversity. This module focuses on managing human resources in organisations that operate across national borders and examines the varying cultural issues of people management. It will assist those students that wish to develop careers in HRM at a strategic and international level within organisations operating in the international environment.

Students will learn to:

• develop a critical understanding of the philosophies and general practices of international HRM
• appreciate and critically evaluate the latest theoretical concepts, principles, standards and frameworks of HRM practice
• develop skills in solving complex scenarios related to improving the activities and functions of modern HRM
• develop a holistic and ethical approach to examining issues and solving complex International HR problems

These concepts are underpinned by an understanding of organisation theory, which covers organisational design, organisational theory and methodologies for understanding complex organisations.

20 Credits

• International Marketing Optional

International Marketing

(Optional)

Marketing is no longer just a business function. It is a way of doing business that places the consumer at the centre of organisational activity. As such, international marketing is an essential component of organisational success not only in global businesses, but also in international non-governmental organisations. Indeed, few organisations remain unaffected by patterns of change in the global marketplace. Whether actively seeking opportunities in other countries, or working with global influences in a home market, international marketing strategy is a key issue.

This module will enable you to develop the professional marketing skills and knowledge required to work effectively in this increasingly complex global environment. It will also enhance your ability to think strategically about international marketing issues and challenges. The module provides students with an understanding of marketing strategies and practices in a global context, by analysing the international marketing environment, culture and varying behaviours, marketing opportunities and strategy options, and the global marketing mix.

20 Credits

• Islamic Finance Optional

Islamic Finance

(Optional)

Islamic finance distinguishes itself from conventional finance in its ostensible compliance with principles of Islamic law, or Shari'a law. Its growth has been accelerating ever since, in terms of the number of countries in which it operates, as well as the areas of finance in which it has ventured. In recent years, the industry has attracted a number of western multinational financial institutions, such as Citigroup and HSBC, which started offering Islamic financial products in some Arab countries and to a lesser extent in the western world (including the U.S., where HSBC offers various Islamic financial products.

There are many contract and institutional forms used within the industry collectively known as Islamic finance. In this module, students shall concentrate on some of the basic and central modes of financing that are most popular in Islamic finance and the association with the Banking Industry. They will learn how these financial instruments can be used in conjunction or in replacement to more traditional forms of financial instruments.

Please note: this module will be available from the 2018/19 academic year.

20 Credits

• Issues in International Tourism  Optional

Issues in International Tourism

(Optional)

Socio-political motivations for tourism have become more prevalent in recent times. People are no longer travelling solely for cultural experiences, but in response to a particular situation or set of circumstances within an area. For example, volunteer tourism and eco-tourism have grown in popularity worldwide with people travelling to disparate parts of the world to support charitable causes.

In this module, students will examine such issues in tourism and mobility in a globalised world. You will assess theoretical ideas used in sociology and cultural studies to understand tourism in the contemporary world. Critical connections between tourism experiences, culture, society and the environment will also be explored.

Please note: this module will be available to International Business Management students from the 2018/19 academic year.

20 Credits

• Managing for Sustainability in a Globalised World Optional

Managing for Sustainability in a Globalised World

(Optional)

This module will examine some of the key economic, commercial and practical considerations of the ethical relationship between business management and the environment as they are expressed in sustainable development. Set against a global context of rapid economic and environmental change, the module seeks to equip students with a sound understanding of the challenges that sustainable development makes to business models and practices.

20 Credits

• Geopolitics Optional (Marseilles only)

Geopolitics

(Optional (Marseilles only))

Several major powers have been developing comprehensive doctrines aligning a range of national economic, political and social policies with their wider strategic objectives in the 21st century: grand strategies. This module investigates the geopolitical relationships and strategies of the major states within the international business environment. It focuses on:

• the historical evolution and current revival of the concept of geopolitics, including global economic rivalries, energy security, competition over resources, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the war on terrorism, and democracy promotion
• the grand strategies developed by the major powers including the foreign and security policy of the US, the debate over American grand strategy, the re-emergence of Russia and its foreign/security policy, and the rise of China with its grand strategy
• the key regional dynamics of contemporary geopolitics including the international security of the Middle East, NATO and the future of transatlantic security, European security, international security in south and east Asia, and geopolitical rivalries in Africa.

By the completion of the module, the student will be able to comprehend the functional role of geopolitics in international business development.

Please note: this module is only available to students studying in Marseilles during the second semester.

20 Credits