Global Business Environment

Module overview

This module is unusual in the MBA programme as it invites students to focus their research and analysis on the global environment rather than internally on their firm. With this external focus in mind the module examines the impact of globalisation and the international macroeconomic context for global businesses. The module adopts the PESTLE approach to examine the combined impact that political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental trends have on organisations and their survival in a global environment, especially where corporate responsibility and ethical behaviour is concerned. In addition, the module focuses on the impact of multiple stakeholder groups on business performance. These three external contexts will be researched, evaluated and analysed in order to generate an understanding of the factors and their impact upon various global businesses.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse and interpret the significance of current and future trends in economics, politics, technology, environment and society on international business;
Assess the impact of multiple stakeholder groups, especially with regard to ethical and responsible behaviour, on business decisions and corporate reputation in an international environment.
Analyse and interpret the significance of globalisation and the international macroeconomic context for international business;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Work effectively as part of a task-orientated and diverse group;
Manage individual tasks, personal resources and time effectively;
Write effectively for business purposes;
Think critically and argue effectively;
Present effectively for business purposes.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Globalisation and the macroeconomic context for international business;
The key environmental, social, economic, technological, ecological, legal and political factors that influence international business and its management;
How relationships with multiple stakeholders, especially with regard to ethical and responsible behaviour, contribute to the formation of business strategy and corporate reputation.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include - Lectures - Group discussions - Visiting companies and acquiring information about their international operations - Individual and group research. Learning activities include - Working on a group project and negotiating an agreed position to present - Researching, analysing and discussing issues and defining problems and their consequences for organisations and individuals - Visiting organisations that work in a global environment - Private study.

Study time
Type	Hours
Teaching	60
Independent Study	40
Total study time	100

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

The Financial Times.

The Wall Street Journal.

Journal of International Management.

The Economist.

Textbooks

Brooks, I., Weatherston, J. (2006). The Business Environment: Challenges and Changes. London: FT Prentice Hall.

Needle, D. (2010). Business in Context. London: Thomson Learning.

Farnham, D. The World is Flat. London: Institute of Personnel & Development Harvard Business School Press.

Kew, J., Stredwick, J. (2005). Business Environment: Managing in a Strategic Context. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Gooderham, P. N., Nordhaug, O (eds) (2003). International Management: Cross-Boundary Challenges. Blackwell Publishing.

Deresky, H (2011). International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures Text and Cases. Prentice Hall.

Koen, C. I. (2005). Comparative International Management. McGraw Hill.

Morrison, J. (2006). The International Business Environment. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Crane, A., Matten, D., Spence, L. (2008). Corporate Social Responsibility: readings and cases in a global context. Routledge.

Palmer, A., Hartley, B. (2002). The Business Environment. London: McGraw Hill.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

In-class formative opportunities

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Formative feedback is provided as part of the discussions in class and for practice presentations for the group assignment.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	70%
Group report	30%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External