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2017/2018  BA-BINBO1321U  International Business Environment

English Title
International Business Environment

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course First Quarter, Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc in International Business
Course coordinator
  • Larissa Rabbiosi - SI
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalization and international business
Last updated on 16-08-2017

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: After having followed the course the students should be able to:
  • Explain how and why there are differences in national or regional business environments.
  • Present a thorough review of the economics and politics of the international trade and investment environment.
  • Analyse the strategies and structures of international businesses.
  • Assess the functions of an international business.
  • Highlight the adjustments needed in the transition from domestic to international business, and the adjustments needed to operate successfully in specific foreign markets.
  • Synthesize the above into a detailed and comprehensive analysis of internationalization at the firm level.
Examination
International Business Environment:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 48 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Autumn and Winter, The regular exam takes place in October. The make-up and re-examination takes place in January.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The Make-up and Re-examination takes place according to the same rules as the regular exam.
Description of the exam procedure

48 hour individual home assignment of max. 10 standard pages.

The aim of the home assignment is to assess the knowledge students have accumulated during the course. The assignment requires students to analyze an actual company’s overall entry strategy and operations in a foreign market. This can either be a case where the company of the student’s choice has already entered a host market or a case where the analysis focuses on a market that the company has not entered yet. The take-home project should integrate and synthesise all the main blocks of the curriculum (as presented below), to demonstrate the students’ skills in the practical application of theory to the chosen case.

No restrictions regarding literature and other aids. However, assignments should include proper references to background literature and information sources.

Declaration of Authorship must be included in the individual home assignment.
Course content and structure

The aim of the course is to provide an integrated understanding of the complexity of the international business environment and the challenges it poses for firms engaged in cross-border activities. Emphasis is put on highlighting the differences among countries in terms of their national business environments, and how these differences are linked to the various strategic choices firms adopt in order to compete internationally. By the end of the course students should have developed their ability to explain, interpret, and synthesize international business practices in a multidisciplinary discourse. Both theory and empirical cases are included in the curriculum; much of the empirical material will be drawn from the current research work of the course coordinator and guest lecturers, to strengthen the role of research-based teaching.

The main blocks of the curriculum are:

  • Selected cross-country differences with a potential impact on business operations, including historical, institutional, geographical, cultural, and political structures
  • Global trade and foreign direct investment, including the regulatory systems for international trade, investment, and monetary transactions
  • Strategy and International Business
  • Business Operations
Teaching methods
The course is based on a lecture series covering 42 lecture hours. The time will be used to cover the textbook materials through traditional lectures and discussions in class, but will also include some in-depth treatment of chosen topics (guest lectures).
Feedback during the teaching period
The student should actively seek feedback from the professor/teacher.
Student workload
Exam 48 hours
Classes 42 hours
Preparation 123 hours
Expected literature

Schedule, Topics and Reading List

1st Year – International Business Environment 2015

 

Week:

Time:

Room:

Teacher

Theme:

Readings:

36

 

 

A. Aggarwal

1. Introduction: Globalization

Hill (Global Edition), Ch. “Introduction and Overview”

36

 

 

A. Aggarwal

2.Country differences: Political Economy

Hill, Ch. “National differences in political economy”

37

 

 

A. Aggarwal

3. Country differences: Culture

Hill, Ch. “ Differences in culture”

37

 

 

A. Aggarwal

4. Country differences: Ethics

Hill, Ch. “Ethics in International Business”

38

 

 

A. Aggarwal

5. International Trade: Theory

Hill, Ch. “International trade: Theory”

38

 

 

A. Aggarwal

6. International Trade: The Political Economy of International Trade

Hill, Ch. “The political economy of International Trade”

39

 

 

L. Rabbiosi

7. Foreign Direct Investment

Hill, Ch. “Foreign direct investments”

39

 

 

L. Rabbiosi

8. The Strategy of  International Business

Hill, Ch. “The strategy of international business”

40

 

 

L. Rabbiosi

9. Forms of international business

Hill, Ch. “Entry strategy and strategic alliances” and “Exporting, importing, and countertrade”

40

 

 

L. Rabbiosi

10. The Organization of International Business

Hill, Ch. “The organization of international business”

41

 

 

A. Aggarwal

11. The International Monetary System

Hill, Ch. “The international monetary system”

41

 

 

A. Aggarwal

12. Regional Economic Integration

Hill, Ch. “Regional economic integration”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill, Charles W.L.: International Business; Competing in the Global Marketplace, Global edition, 2012. McGraw-Hill
Additional reading material to be distributed during the course.
Last updated on 16-08-2017