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2025/2026  BA-BINBO1145U  Contemporary Issues in International Business

English Title
Contemporary Issues in International Business

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Third Quarter, Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Global Relations
Course coordinator
  • Flladina Zilja - Department of International Economics, Goverment and Business (EGB)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 20-05-2025

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Critically analyze a range of contemporary issues in international business from a practical and theoretical perspective
  • Identify, integrate and reflect on the limitations of existing theoretical frameworks for explaining contemporary issues
  • Assess the immediate and broader implications of these issues - including connections between them- for research, firms, and society
  • Propose viable 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
Examination
Contemporary Issues in International Business:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance, see also the rules about examination forms in the programme regulations.
Individual or group exam Individual oral exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2-4
Size of written product Max. 15 pages
Assignment type Case based assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Re-examination when the regular examination is failed is a 20 minutes individual oral exam based upon the same group project with a 2 pages supplement.

Make-up examination when ill at the oral exam is a 20 minutes individual oral exam based upon the same group project.

Make-up examination when ill during the writing of the project is a 20 minutes individual oral exam based on the new written project to be handed in at a specified time and date.( if you are alone, the max number of pages should be 10)
Description of the exam procedure

The written part is to be written over 72 hours.
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 context, identifying relevant knowledge and data, 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. Indicative issues include: What factors are driving a slowdown in globalization pace and the implications for the strategies of MNEs? How do MNEs manage risks in a multipolar world with higher geopolitical tensions? How do MNEs engage with the UN developmental goals? What can MNEs do to enable the green transition? How can MNEs ensure that ethical considerations are maintained throughout the supply chain? 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.
Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Models
Research-like activities
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The course is based on ten 2-hour lectures, amounting to a total of 20 lecture hours, and ten 2-hour (small-group) tutorials, amounting to 20 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 current events, their implications for existing theories and practices of doing business, while reflecting on alternative ways of understanding and and doing business in a world characterized by uncertainty and societal challenges. 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 and group assignment 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 40 hours
class preparation 114 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. 
Last updated on 20-05-2025