International Business

This module focuses on the nature of contemporary international business. International Business combines the science and art of business management with many other disciplines such as economics, sociocultural anthropology and political science. The evolution of international business as an identifiable academic discipline is as a direct consequence of the growth of multinational business and the emergence of what is widely termed the global economy. Knowledge in this global economy is rapidly transferred given technological developments in communications. The emergence of new economies particularly in Asia has transformed the center of gravity of the global economy. International managers operate in this dynamic global environment whether in large multinational firms or SMEs/Born Globals with an international orientation. This module aims to guide the student in understanding the arena in which international business is conducted. It ranges from micro issues of staffing and strategic management to macro issues of globalization, political, economic and sociocultural analysis. It further attempts to build on the knowledge gained in previous or complementary courses by extending the consideration of subject matter to embrace the considerations present in an international environment. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify, analyze, and understand the organizational impact of a wide variety of global management issues. In addition, students should be able to develop broad, strategic solutions and/or plans of action in response to any combination of market, political, socio-cultural, and /or competitive global force.