| Learning objectives |
- • Critically analyse a range of contemporary issues and debates
in International Business from practical, theoretical, and
methodological perspectives
- • Assess the immediate and broader implications of these issues
and debates in International Business – including connections
between them – for research, organizations, and society
- • Propose alternative courses of action across the domains of
research, business practice and/or policy making that reflect
socially responsible and ethical practices
- • Demonstrate the reflective and collaborative capabilities
that are essential to support one’s own and other’s life-long
learning, especially in the context of the ambiguity typically
inherent in international business and professional
life
|
| Examination |
|
Contemporary
Issues in International Business:
|
| 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 |
Project |
| Duration |
48 hours to prepare |
| Grading scale |
7-point grading scale |
| Examiner(s) |
One internal examiner |
| Exam period |
Spring |
| Make-up exam/re-exam |
Same examination form as the ordinary
exam
|
|
| Course content, structure and pedagogical
approach |
|
The aim of the course is to explore and develop nuanced
understandings of a range of contemporary issues and debates in
International Business, and further develop the skills that will
enable lifelong learning. To this end, emphasis is placed on
‘problematizing’ current understandings of contemporary issues in
international business by placing them in their historical context,
tracing the evolution of knowledge, and questioning
taken-for-granted assumptions that inform current theory and
business practice. Sources of contemporary issues include
debates in the academic literature alongside current events in
business and society. A focus on contemporary issues means that
specific topics covered will vary over time. Nonetheless,
indicative issues include: How do crises – such as global pandemics
or financial crises – shape the location decisions of multinational
enterprises and re-shape core IB theory? What are the implications
of using English as a ‘lingua franca’ for relationships of power
and the management of diversity within MNEs? How can innovative
small firms shape international institutions for competitive
advantage, or is this solely the domain of government and large
MNEs? How do MNEs foster – and destroy – subsidiary initiatives and
local entrepreneurship? In what ways do MNEs advance or detract
from the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, such as
‘reduce inequality’ and ‘economic growth’? The exploration of these
and similar questions will draw on the latest academic literature
and case studies of international businesses. Students will
be expected to make connections across contemporary issues and
revisit prior learning with new understanding
|
| Description of the teaching methods |
The course is based on eight 3-hour lectures,
amounting to a total of 24 lecture hours, and six 2-hour
(small-group) tutorials, amounting to 12 tutorial hours. The
lectures are designed to introduce students to contemporary issues
and surrounding debates relating to both industry practices and
research in international business. Emphasis is placed on
problematizing what is taken-for-granted in both theory and
practice, with the implications of alternative ways of
understanding and acting being explored. Connections across the
contemporary issues covered in each lecture are explored.
Collaborative learning communities are fostered through small-group
tutorials, with active engagement and preparation in advance
expected. The tutorials are designed to extend students
understanding of the contemporary issues and related readings
covered in lectures through: (1) application of the issues and
debates raised in lectures to business case studies , reports on
current events and the design of future research; and (2) the
sharing of reflections on how this new learning may impact prior
learning in this course or earlier, and students’ own professional
practice – possibly leading to reinforcement of what is already
known, greater recognition of the contingent nature of knowledge,
or entirely new understandings. The skill development through
tutorials thus fosters the reflective and collaborative
capabilities that underpin one’s own and support others’ life-long
learning. |
| Feedback during the teaching period |
| The students should actively seek feedback from
the lecturers during lectures, tutorials and scheduled office
hours. Tutorials provide a structured forum for peer feedback as
students develop skills in the giving and receiving of constructive
feedback as they share, discuss and critique insights with each
other. |
| Student workload |
| class |
36 hours |
| class preparation |
116 hours |
| exam preparation |
48 hours |
|
| Expected literature |
|
This course will include selected readings from academic
literature that address contemporary issues and debates in
international business, augmented by case studies, contemporary
news items, policy and industry reports, videos and
blogs.
|
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