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2026/2027  BA-BPOLO1901U  International Business and Management

English Title
International Business and Management

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Global Relations
Programme BSc in International Business and Politics
Course coordinator
  • Larissa Rabbiosi - Department of Strategy and Innovation (SI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalisation and international business
  • Management
  • Strategy
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 01-06-2026

Relevant links
Learning objectives
  • Identify and apply key theories and concepts in international business and management to understand how firms operate, compete, and evolve in a complex international environment
  • Understand, explain, and apply key theories of firm internationalization to analyze why firms internationalize, where they expand, and how they organize foreign market entry
  • Draw upon the theoretical frameworks and concepts of international business and management to explain and analyze how multinational enterprises design strategies and manage organizations to compete in international environments
  • Draw upon the theoretical frameworks and concepts of international business and management to explain and analyze HQ–subsidiary relationships and subsidiary roles
  • Analyze business case studies applying relevant concepts and theories of international business and management
  • Identify and use insights from different theories and concepts in the course to develop a fuller understanding of complex international business and management situations.
Examination
International Business and Management:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • USB key for uploading of notes, books and compendiums in a non-executable format (no applications, application fragments, IT tools etc.)
  • In Paper format: Books (including translation dictionaries), compendiums and notes
The student will have access to
  • Canvas
  • Basic IT application package
  • The personal drive (S-drive) on CBS´ network
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Overall, the course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how firms operate, compete, and evolve in a complex international environment through an introduction to the main theories and debates in international business and management. It examines why firms internationalize, where they expand, and how they govern cross-border activities, drawing on foundational internationalization theories. The course also explores how engagement in international business shapes firms' strategies, global organizational structures, human resource management practices, and approaches to diversity and inclusion. In addition, it examines the HQ–subsidiary relationship by considering the strategic role subsidiaries can play within the firm, including their initiative, embeddedness, and contribution to globally dispersed knowledge and innovation, as well as the power, control, and coordination challenges this role may create. Across the course, particular attention is paid to how institutional contexts, geopolitical dynamics, and corruption shape the international environment in which firms operate. Pedagogically, the course combines face-to-face and online teaching in a blended-learning format and incorporates group work and in-class discussion.

 

In relation to Nordic Nine

International Business and Management (IBM) gives the students several transformative capabilities in accordance with the Nordic nine. IBM provides students with deep business knowledge about how firms can exploit and augment their domestic sources of value creation in the international context (N1). The course helps students to recognize the ambiguous role of multinational companies in society; They are actors that create as well as solve societal challenges (N3). Moreover, students are challenged to recognize ethical dilemmas faced by companies operating in different cultures and to develop leadership values ​​​​to address them (N5). IBM offers theories and concepts which applications allow for the creation of value using globally distributed knowledge and connections to the advantage of localized problem solving (N9). 

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
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
Part of the teaching takes place online through videos. The lectures are interactive and designed to provide more in-depth coverage of course topics through discussion of specific assignments and case studies. It is expected a high degree of student preparation and participation. Students should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material. The instructors reserve the right to "cold-call" on students at any time during class.
Feedback during the teaching period
The course fosters an ongoing dialogue with students to provide feedback and continuous training in answering questions and applying theories and concepts to real cases in preparation for the final exam. Oral feedback is provided collectively on the basis of (i) students' responses to live quizzes (polling) and (ii) in-class discussion of voluntary assignments and study questions. These quizzes and assignments are used systematically in each lecture. In addition, written solutions to each voluntary assignment are provided by the course instructor and made available on Canvas. Students are encouraged to ask questions during lectures and breaks, and to form self-study groups in order to receive peer feedback on their work. During the teaching period, individual and group feedback is also available during office hours offered by faculty staff members teaching in the course (see timeslots and booking instruction on Canvas).
Student workload
Preparation time (readings, group work etc.) 100 hours
Lectures / class exercises / “homework cafés” / workshops etc. 38 hours
Exam (incl. preparation for the exam and actual exam period) 71 hours
Further Information

Minor changes may occur to this course description until 30 June.

Expected literature

Academic articles. The literature will be available on CBS Canvas.

 

 
Last updated on 01-06-2026