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2012/2013  KAN-IMM_IM55  International Business and Strategy

English Title
International Business and Strategy

Course information

Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Course period Spring
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Phillip Christopher Nell - Center for Strategic Management and Globalization
Main Category of the Course
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies
  • Corporate and Business Strategy
Last updated on 19-12-2012
Learning objectives
The goal of this class will be to develop a better understanding of the link between theory and practice with particular focus on corporate strategy issues such as the development and management of the firm’s resource- and capability-base and the successful deployment of these resources across different businesses and environmental contexts (i.e. international markets).

More specifically, the learning objectives are the following: After completing this course the student will have…
  • Knowledge and understanding of corporate strategies
  • Understand the complexities and opportunities that the global dimension of strategy implies
  • An understanding of the application of various analysis techniques in a global context
  • Familiarity with many examples of successful and less successful strategies
  • Extensive knowledge of industry cases and major types of strategic decisions
  • Knowledge regarding how to conduct a thorough strategy case analysis
  • Experience regarding the ability to obtain and analyse information for decision-making.
  • Accordingly, the exam’s evaluation criteria are the following:
  • The thoroughness of the understanding of the relevant strategy literature and theory,
  • The ability to apply theories to solve the case problem(s),
  • The quality of the case analysis in terms of clear line of reasoning, relevance of aspects and issues discussed, consistency in argumentation, link to important and relevant academic literature, integration of case data and information with analysis frameworks and theory.
Examination
International Business and Strategy:
Type of test Written Exam
Marking scale 7-step scale
Second examiner No second examiner
Exam period April and May/June
Aids Open Book, Written and Electronic Aid is permitted
Duration 4 Hours
Individual 4-hour written exam. (All written and technical aids (including internet and personal PC) are allowed at the exam). Cf. The Regulations for written tests at CBS. The exam is internal and the evaluation is made by one teacher alone. The regular exam takes place in April or May 2013. The make-up/re-exam takes place in June. The make-up/re-exam project must be written individually Irrespective of the above provisions, make-up exams and re-exams can be held as oral exams, if the situation calls for this, please see section 17(2) in Rules and Regulations.  
Examination
Individual 4 hour open book written exam “scenario exam”. The exam will test the student’s ability to use the knowledge gained through the course to solve particular problems related to the overall themes. As it is not about learning the texts by heart but rather understand and reflect on topics covered the exam is an open book exam. It is made to simulate a crisis situation in a company where the student has to come up with a solution to the problem(s). To reflect the focus on simulating reality the written output will consists of a 2 page executive summary and 8 PowerPoint slides rather than the usual 10 pages written material.
Course content

The course builds on Foundations of Strategy (IM47) and presupposes a working knowledge of strategic management. The emphasis will be on:

Strategic decision making in an international context,
Strategic issue diagnosis,
Strategic analysis where external, internal, and potentially financial problems are analyzed,
Strategic action definition and implementation planning.

The approach to strategic management builds on the schools of thought already taught and discussed in IM47. However, this course on International Business Strategy will provide the students with a progression from IM47. In any given situation, a firm decision maker can use a number of different tools and models supporting the decision. With the foundation of the theoretical understanding from IM47, students will be able to reflect upon decision situations, strategic decisions, and consequences of these decisions.


 

Teaching methods
Lectures and case study sessions.
Expected literature

Indicative literature:
Grant, Robert M. (2010). Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 7th Edition, (Text and Cases Edition), John Wiley and Sons, UK. The book will be available in the bookshop SL books.  

Scientific and practice-oriented articles.
These additional readings can be accessed via CBSLearn.
 

Last updated on 19-12-2012