International Business Management

In this module, we explore the important and variously defined concept of globalisation, and analyse contrasting perspectives and views on the nature and potential impact of globalisation at the country level. This analysis will consider country factors that mediate the impact of globalisation, including the political, economic and legal systems, and the available resources, for example skills within the labour force, infrastructure, geographic location, natural resources.

The APPD module focuses primarily on the development of the research, analysis and writing skills needed to acquire and articulate the subject knowledge assessed on the IBM programme. Students will explore the importance of, and approaches to personal branding and social media profiles, in a world where the personal and professional are often blurred.

On this module, students develop their existing knowledge and expertise in the Microsoft Office packages used in industry and business across the globe, focussing in particular on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Students will create a digital portfolio of work completed, that they will maintain throughout their degree. This digital record of achievement provides evidence of the knowledge and employability skills the student acquired during their studies.

This module provides an overview of international marketing issues, developing student’s understanding and appreciation of the international business and marketing environment. Fundamental concepts of major market entry modes available to international companies are introduced, and the challenges raised by the management of the marketing mix and international market segmentation, targeting and positioning explored.

Develops basic accounting knowledge and key financial analytical skills through the examination of the international financial environment and how multinational firms operate within it. The international monetary system and foreign exchange markets are explored and financial statements are analysed and interpreted using appropriate ratios. The need for accounting standards and the reasons for international differences are investigated.

The multinational corporation is the cornerstone of international business and an increasingly important actor in the global economy. This module introduces students to the concept of the multinational corporation and how it, and its role in the economy and society, can be understood from a number of key perspectives. 

This module introduces students to the pressing global challenges faced by international business and society. Students are also given an introduction to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Carbon Literacy. As well as leveraging the strengths of Manchester Metropolitan University as a ‘Carbon Literate Organisation,’ the module uses United Nations resources and case studies, through resources associated with the Carbon Literacy Project. 

Building on the knowledge acquired in GBE, this module explores the nature and outcome of firm activities in home and chosen host locations. The theory and practice of international business strategy and market entry methods (export agreements, FDI, JV etc.) are explored, and the potential (and historical) outcomes evaluated. The ethical and environmental risks posed by international operations are explored and authentic responses and outcomes evaluated.

This module teaches students to determine the nature of data that will allow them to respond to ‘how’, ‘what’ and ‘why’ research questions. A range of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods are also introduced. Students will use the software skills acquired in the Year 1 Digital Skills module to record, analyse and present their research findings. Acknowledging the diverse skills and ability with cohorts, individual and targeted software skills training and development will be provided.

In this module, students are encouraged to consider the skills they will need to compete successfully for roles in their preferred profession(s). In addition to curriculum vitae and the personal, professional and academic information that it should feature. Resilience in the personal, professional and academic contexts, how this can be developed and enhanced and the benefits it can deliver are a key focus of this module. Industry placements in year three are encouraged, and support for the attainment and development of the necessary skills and knowledge is also provided on this module. Students will review the content of their electronic record of achievement they developed on the APPD module and plan the necessary content from Year 2 of the programme.

The purpose of this module is to develop greater awareness of different cultures and their relevance for managers in the twenty-first century. It aims to develop a critical awareness of the complexity of management in the international context and to apply practices and techniques with sensitivity to national cultural differences. While developing an understanding of the principle areas of management activity in general, this module seeks to enable students to identify and tackle key management issues facing international organisations and to develop the skills and competences required for managing an increasingly diverse, complex and dispersed workforce and customer base.

This module examines the process of the worldwide economic integration, focussing on both theoretical and practical perspectives of international business. Recent developments and the future of international business are explored, in particular international trade, the political economy of trade, cross-border investment, and modes of market entry. The multinational enterprise (MNE) and small, medium enterprise (SME) are introduced. MNE innovation, competitive strategy and location determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) explored. The cultural and financial risks for an international business are also examined.

International operations is the management of resources in the production of goods and services in international locations and markets. Increasingly sustainable and ethical practices inform international operations strategies. This module will consider the management of resources, procurement, quality systems, the position of the firm in the supply chain and supply chain management, the movement of goods through effective and sustainable logistics. Consideration will also be made of ethical and sustainable practices of operations and their management in international settings.

The first Global Political Economy module explores power, states and hegemony (the idea of dominance and/or leadership in the world order).

The second Global Political Economy module explores inequalities in areas such as international trade, finance, international production and development.

This module evaluates the events and influences, both internal and external, which have shaped the economic and business environment of selected markets. The nature and diversity of the business environments of selected market economies are analysed within a framework of comparative and business economics.

This module evaluates the opportunities and challenges of doing business in selected markets. Strategies by which firms might exploit those opportunities and overcome the challenges are explored and evaluated.

Students will develop independent projects around an area of interest related to international business management.

Building on the related Year 1 and Year 2 skills development modules, this module supports students in their preparation and search for graduate employment. Students will prepare the final year content of the electronic record of achievement.

Building on the knowledge acquired in the Year 2, this module builds upon an array of perspectives and theories ranging from industrial organisation theory, institutional economics and international economic theory to strategic and organisation theories. A key aim of the module is to combine theory with practice, and to this end, the module will draw upon not only documented case studies, based on real-world firms but also theoretical underpinnings that describe and/or explain the reality for multinational enterprises (MNEs) and small, medium enterprise (SMEs).