Module Directory

This module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the external context within which international businesses operate and the opportunities and challenges it poses to entrepreneurial firms, large and small.

The aim of this module is:

• To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the key concepts and issues surrounding the context for international business, with a specific focus on the political/legal, economic, financial, and socio-cultural environment.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Define key concepts and issues in the international business environment and apply them to entrepreneurial organisations and micro-nationals.


2. Critically examine how the international business environment might inform later decisions about where to expand and how.


3. Discuss different theories of international trade.


4. Understand and describe different instruments of international trade.


5. Understand the concepts of governmental influences on international trade and concepts of tariff and non-tariff barriers to international trade.


6. Identify differences in the national legal systems and discuss challenges businesses face when protecting their intellectual property.


7. Identify national differences in economic, cultural systems, and ethical values and to understand how these differences affect business activity.


8. Demonstrate appropriate skills in research techniques for effective problem solving, in-depth investigation of key issues, and effective use of relevant learning materials.


9. Develop a thorough understanding of the technological environment and its impact on the growth and development of international businesses and global evolution of the IT sector.


10. Understand the drivers of international labour mobility.


11. Understand the concepts of international financial acquisition of capital in entrepreneurial firms.


12. Understand and describe the impact of international governing organisations, national governments, and regional economic integration on business activities.


13. Demonstrate appropriate skills in research techniques for effective problem solving, in-depth investigation of key issues, and effective use of relevant learning materials.

This module begins by examining the rationale for studying international business, discussing current developments in the global economy as well as the range of external environmental forces that impact businesses.

Several lectures are dedicated to discussing the external challenges facing international firms, particularly of economic, financial, political/legal, technological, and cultural nature. The module then introduces students to key international trade theories and practices, government intervention policies, and regional economic integration.

This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week.
• A combination of lectures, seminars, guest speaker, discussion of case studies and journal articles, class exercises, group work, signposting to additional resources.

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts as mentioned in the indicative module content and will use a range of live examples and cases from business practice to demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts.

Seminars in the form of class exercises will be built into the lectures to develop critical analytical and problem-solving skills. Seminars will use a range of activities, such as discussion of case studies from the core text, topical business news items and will involve students working in pairs or groups or individually to discuss, reflect on problems and answer questions, present their ideas and thoughts to the class for discussion. Seminars will take place during class time at the lecturer's discretion - i.e. some classes will warrant a full two-hour lecture.