Course guide of International Business Management (23511D1)

• Students are required to have a sufficient level of knowledge regarding:
  • Business Management.
  • Strategic Management.
• It is recommended to have at least a B1 level of English to attend this course.

• Definition and design of a firm’s strategic internationalisation plan: the key strategic decisions to be made.
• International market-entry strategies.
• Export strategies, with particular reference to the management of exportation processes among SMEs.
• Cooperation strategies: types and characteristics.
• Strategic and organisational approaches in the multinational firm.
• The cultural sphere and human resource management in the multinational firm.

• Ability to acquire, understand and systematize the characteristics of the different entry strategies in international markets and categories.
• Ability to understand and apply at a practical level the strategic and organizational approaches of multinational companies.

• Unit 1. Internationalization and international competitiveness
  • 1.1.- Internationalization, Globalization and Competitiveness.
  • 1.2.- Competitive Advantage of Nations and Regional Clusters.
  • 1.3.- International Management Theories
• Unit 2. Motives for internationalization.
  • 2.1.-Motives for internationalization.
    • 2.1.2.-Heterogeneous Strategic Objectives for Internationalization.
    • 2.1.2.-Market Barriers.
  • 2.2.- Basic Types of Foreign Operation Modes.
• Unit 3. Export modes and International Licensing.
  • 3.1.- Export modes.
  • 3.2.- Contractual joint ventures.
• Unit 4. Foreign direct investment (F.D.I.)
  • 4.1.- Foreign Direct Investment.
  • 4.2.- International Equity Joint Ventures.
  • 4.3.- Configuration of Value Chain Activities:
    • 4.3.1.-Production.
    • 4.3.2.-Sourcing.
    • 4.3.3.-R&D.
• Unit 5. Strategic international management
  • 5.1.- Strategic orientation of the multinational corporation.
  • 5.2.- Role Typologies for Foreign Subsidiaries.
  • 5.3.- Coordination and international control.
  • 5.4.- International Organizational Structures.
• Unit 6. The role of culture and Human Resource Management in International Management
  • 6.1.- Country culture.
  • 6.2.- Corporate culture.
  • 6.3.- International Human Resource Management.
• Unit 7. Multinational Corporations’ Corporate Social Responsibility
  • 7.1.- Loss of Confidence, the Challenge of Responsibility and Sustainability.
  • 7.2- Corporate Social Responsibility and the Stakeholder View.
  • 7.3.- CSR Management Model.
  • 7.4.- International Codes of Conduct.
  • 7.5.- CSR and Profitability.
  • 7.6.- CSR and Corporate Governance.

CASE STUDIES:

• Case 1: Competitive Advantage of Nations and Regional Clusters: London Financial Cluster.
• Case 2: Motives for internationalization: SAP.
• Case 3: Export Modes: Herrenknecht.
• Case 4: Foreign Operation Modes: ThyssenKrupp.
• Case 5: International Coordination: Microsoft.
• Case 6: International Human Resource Management: Google.
• Case 7: Multinational Corporations’ Corporate Social Responsibility: Coop/Remei.

• Dirk Morschett, Hanna Schramm-Klein & Joachim Zentes (2015) STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT. Springer.

• Darling, J. R., & Seristö, H. T. (2004). Key steps for success in export markets: A new paradigm for strategic decision making. European Business Review, 16(1), 28-43.
• Katsikeas, C. S., Leonidou, L. C., & Morgan, N. A. (2000). Firm-level export performance assessment: review, evaluation, and development. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 28(4), 493-511.
• Witt (2019): “De-globalization: Theories, predictions, and opportunities for international business research”. Journal of International Business Studies.
• Wolff, J. A., & Pett, T. L. (2000). Internationalization of small firms: An examination of export competitive patterns, firm size, and export performance. Journal of small business management, 38(2), 34.

• https://www.weforum.org/
• http://geert-hofstede.com/
• https://globeproject.com/

• MD01. Docencia presencial en el aula 
• MD02. Estudio individualizado del alumno, búsqueda, consulta y tratamiento de información, resolución de problemas y casos prácticos, y realización de trabajos y exposiciones. 
• MD03. Tutorías individuales y/o colectivas y evaluación  

• Theoretical part (50% of the total). This consists of a written examination with open-ended questions. Students who have passed this part through the continuous assessment system will not have to take it in the final examination. The continuous assessment system is based on passing two midterm exams with open-ended questions. To opt for this system, the student must take and pass both midterm exams.
• Practical part (50% of the total).This consists of solving a case study based on the topics of the course. Students who have passed this part through the continuous assessment system will not have to take it in the final examination. The continuous assessment system is based on attendance, participation, and evaluation of the proposed practical activities. To opt for this system, the student must attend and participate in at least 60% of the proposed activities.
• The student's final mark will be the average of the theoretical and practical parts, bearing in mind that the theoretical part must be passed. If the student does not pass the theoretical part, the final mark will be the score of the theoretical part.
• Important: The student who does not attend the final examination will receive a final mark of "not presented".

• The structure of the examination will be similar to that of the regular assessment session.
• The marks from the continuous assessment system will be retained for students who do not pass the ordinary examination (valid only for the same academic year). In this case, students who have passed the theoretical or practical part through the continuous assessment system will not be required to take that part of the examination.

The single final examination (for those who request it and are permitted to take it) will be structured as follows:

• Theoretical part (50% of the total). Consists of a written examination with open-ended questions.
• Practical part (50% of the total). Consists of solving a case study based on the topics of the course.