To give students conceptual frameworks within which to formulate and analyse global strategy;

To give students practical experience of formulating strategy;

To give students theory and evidence regarding the configuration and governance of international operations;

To give students conceptual frameworks of the role of institutions in the design of a global strategy and their impact on ethical conduct in international business.

(LO1) Explain resource-based and institutional approaches to international strategy.

(LO2) Explain generic forms of growth and diversification.

(LO3) Explain the principal forms of internal organization and governance of multinational enterprises, including an understanding of the process and management of internationalisation.

(LO4) Explain the main forms of international entry and growth and when each is likely to be the preferred approach.

(LO5) Explain how the nature of global production, logistics and distribution have changed and why and how firms can evaluate their preferred configuration.

(LO6) Explain how competition evolves in international business and how multinational enterprises can maintain and upgrade their competitive strengths.

(LO7) Explain the nature and form of strategic alliances and when these will be preferred to international mergers and acquisitions.

(LO8) Explain the key role of institutions in the design of an international strategy to enforce ethical conduct.

(S1) Adaptability. Developed in the reflective appendix to the reports.

(S2) Problem solving skills. Students will exercise their problem solving skills through case study analysis during seminars.

(S3) Numeracy. Students will undertake simple analysis of numerical data.

(S4) Commercial awareness. Students will develop their commercial awareness skills through report preparation and writing.

(S5) Teamwork. Students will develop teamwork skills in preparing for the group report and presentation.

(S6) Organisational skills. Students will develop their skills of personal organisation through seminar preparation and assessed work.

(S7) Communication skills. Students will develop their communication skills through report preparation and writing and the presentation.

(S8) IT skills. Students will develop their IT skills through report preparation and writing.

(S9) International awareness. Development of this skill is central to the module.

(S10) Lifelong learning skills. Students will develop their lifelong learning skills through critical reflection, as in the coursework appendix.

(S11) Ethical awareness. Incorporated in lectures and seminar discussion, as well as an integral element in the report.

(S12) Research skills. Students will develop their research skills through report preparation and writing.

Lectures x 15 hours
Lectures will provide a foundation of theory and evidence to guide independent study of topics covered in the syllabus.

Seminars x 9 hours
Seminars will be woven into lectures in the form of mini case studies and discussion questions in order for students to consolidate understanding and explore areas of ambiguity inherent in the module content.

Self-directed learning x 126 hours
Students are expected to do significant independent study with guidance from the module leader. Students must take responsibility for clarifying any areas of difficulty with the module leader in class, during office hours or by appointment.

The meaning of strategy and the industry-based approach to strategy;

The resource-based view and the institutional-based view of strategy;

International entry and expansion strategies, product and geographic market diversification, including the key factors in internationalisation by small and medium sized enterprises;

Global competitive dynamics, co-operation versus competition;

The organisational structure and developing capability over time through learning and global R&D;

International alliances, international mergers and acquisition, antitrust and managing the firm's external networks.