International Business

Gain a thorough grounding in the major issues and perspectives of management, with a particular focus on strategic, global and organisational issues in an international context. You’ll also get an overview of key issues and decisions relating to the legal, social and ethical responsibilities of corporate management. You will be encouraged to think critically about theory and practice in an ethical and professional manner. This module draws on findings from research into work and particular emphasis is placed on a number of theoretical and practical perspectives to enable you to better understand the world of work.

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Examine the impact of factors such as exchange, inflation and interest rates on the performance of firms and assess their significance in decision making in an international/global context. You will evaluate the principles and practices that guide the financial management of multinational enterprise. We place emphasis on factors that differentiate multinational from domestic financial management. This module draws from findings from research into work and particular emphasis is placed on a number of theoretical and practical perspectives.

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Develop an in-depth understanding of a variety of communications methods used to establish and maintain cross-cultural business relationships with a variety of stakeholders. You will gain an overview of culture as a basis on which to develop the themes of international branding, marketing communications and business relationship development. These themes are of particular importance in today’s global economy.

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Develop an in-depth understanding of the increasingly important field of operations and information management at a global scale. You will gain an overview of how to improve different types of operations and information systems, to contribute to a company’s competitiveness and strategy. You will develop knowledge of concepts, techniques and models that are used for planning, managing and improving operations and MIS, within manufacturing and service organisations in a global context.

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This comprises a week of field study in Almería, Spain, during which you will visit a variety of businesses, from the agricultural, marble and tourism sectors. There will also be input from the Almeria Chamber of Commerce. As we visit a variety of real businesses, the actual schedule of visits is subject to change, based on business commitments of the participant companies.  

Following the fieldwork, you will be required to undertake an individual management report. This will involve researching and writing a more practically-focused dissertation, referred to as a management report. The basic concept is to encourage you to undertake individual research when abroad, looking at a variety of aspects of the market in the destination city.

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The Professional Placement Year is an optional module. You can opt to take it following your study of 120 credits of taught modules. If you undertake the Professional Placement Year you’ll spend 12 months on placement and 12 months in University - two years in total. This year provides you with practical experience in an area relative to your degree under the supervision of both the host organisation and the Business School. It allows you to integrate and reflect upon your study in previous modules and develop your knowledge and skills in situ.

Placements can be arranged in a large variety of organisations, including those involved in commerce, industry and the non-profit sector. These organisations may range from very small enterprises to multinational companies. The School will facilitate the process and typically you will apply for positions as part of a competitive process.

Specific objectives differ according to the placement undertaken and course on which you are enrolled. The general aims and objectives are:

• To educate you into the workplace environment and to develop an appreciation of the host organisation
• To provide opportunities to apply techniques and knowledge acquired during the academic programme of study and reflect upon this process
• To inculcate professional working practices into your skill set
• To give you the opportunity to practise key skills such as personal communication, innovation, time management and team working
• To allow you to further develop your levels of maturity, confidence and responsibility
• To allow you access to a range of learning and research opportunities not available in an academic environment including a critical understanding of practice in the ‘real world’
• To apply a broad array of analytical and problem solving skills to achieve the learning outcomes in an applied situation.

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