The International Business Environment
Main Aim(s) of the Unit:
This course seeks to provide an understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of corporate environment in today’s globalised economy in which the business and its external environment are not clearly separated.
One of the most important functions of management is decision making and in order to perform effectively managers need to be informed.
Students must therefore be familiar with, and aware of, all major international political, economic, cultural, religious and financial issues of the day.
Political, economic and financial events in one country can create threats, as well as opportunities for other countries and it is essential that managers are able to relate international events, and their consequences, to their own business environments.
Students are required to critically analyse current topics concerning important management and policy issues facing business and industry. Critical evaluations of current readings from business literature will be used as assessment items.
At each examination series reference will be made to six contemporary issues which have made International news headlines in the four months preceding the examinations.
Candidates will be asked to select any three of the issues or topics and comment on them.
This is a self-paced, self-study course and motivated self-starters will enjoy this format.
Main Topics of Study:
Corporate environment in the global economy
Current issues in business including political, economic, cultural, religious and financial aspects
Business and the impact of international current affairs
Learning Outcomes for the Unit
At the end of this Unit, students will be able to:
- Discuss current issues management and its policy implications
- Understand current issues and trends from a managerial perspective
- Integrate current business scholarly literature in their arguments
- Provide analytical perspectives of current problems and trends
- Demonstrate a proactive rather than reactive approach to management
The numbers in the boxes below show which of the above module learning outcomes are related to particular cognitive and key skills.
| Knowledge & Understanding | 1,2 |
| Analysis | 3,4 |
| Synthesis/Creativity | 3-5 |
| Evaluation | 4,5 |
| Interactive & Group Skills | - |
| Self-appraisal/ Reflection on Practice | 3,4 |
| Planning and Management of Learning | 1-5 |
| Problem Solving | 3-5 |
| Communication & Presentation | - |
| Other skills (please specify): | - |
Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:
This is a self-paced, self-study course that is suited to motivated self-starters .Learning takes can take place on a number of levels through lectures, class discussion including problem review and analysis however this is not specifically designed for formal lectures.
Contemporary readings provide the foundation of information on which the student builds through critical analysis of articles outside of the class. The students are actively encouraged to form study groups to discuss course material which fosters a greater depth learning experience.
Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:
3 Hour Examination 100%
Indicative Reading for this Unit:
Main Text:
The Economist
Additional Sources of Information:
CNN News
Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)
100 hours Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops
Tutorial support includes feedback on assignments and may vary by college according to local needs and wishes.
100 hours Directed learning
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading / Group study / Portfolio / Diary etc
100 hours Self managed learning
Working through the course text and completing assignments as required will take up the bulk of the learning time. In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and other students and to undertake further reading using the web and/or libraries.
