FHEQ Level 7 SIB7503-B Globalisation and Contemporary Issues in International Business Sem 2 Module Handbook

Module aims and outcomes

1. To provide MSc students with a detailed awareness, knowledge and understanding of current issues affecting international business in various settings and contexts around global markets and supply chains.
2. To establish a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing firms operating within the particular context of the Single European Market.
3. To gain a global perspective in the interaction between mature and developing markets by introducing issues related to the interrelationship between IB and sustainable development with a focus on business environments in emerging economies primarily in Africa, but also in other parts of the world. The module also investigates the drivers of foreign direct investment from developed to emerging economies, from emerging to developed economies, and from emerging to emerging economies and examines the rationale for outsourcing to emerging economies, and issues connected to technology transfer by multinational corporations.
4. To consider the effect of issues of sustainable development and problems associated with CSR in emerging economies with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa.

Module learning outcomes (LOs)

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the impact of globalisation and the complex nature of international business environments both in mature economies, with particular reference to the EU Single Market, and in emerging economies with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Demonstrate an enhanced ability to evaluate opportunities and threats posed by changes both within mature economies (with reference to the EU) and emerging economies (with reference to sub-Saharan Africa) and make effective strategic decisions.
3. Research, evaluate, integrate and report complex information from various sources.

Module organisation of work and topics

The module reading list is a great place to start your reading on the topic. You can access it here. You can also find your reading list on your canvas site or on our reading list database, Talis Aspire. The outline syllabus gives you an indication of which topics you will study. This information may be subject to change, so please keep a record of any module announcements regarding changes from your Module Tutor, from canvas, or by electronic communication.

• Business environments in mature economies: the case of the European Union Single Market
• Business environments in emerging economies in Africa, but also Asia, Latin America and Central and EasternEuropean countries.
• International Business and Regional Economic integration: the cases of the European Union and Africa.
• International Business and Regional Economic Integration: other models in emerging
  economies(ASEAN, Mercosur etc.)
• Evolution of national business environments in major emerging economies, and importance of differences in institutional/cultural systems in major emerging economies for international business activities.
• International competitiveness, Foreign Direct Investment, technology transfer, and Corporate Social Responsibility in emerging economies.
• Managing international business activities with and within emerging economies. See study guide.

Module Topics

• Business environments in mature economies: the case of the European Union Single Market Business environments in emerging economies in Africa, but also Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern European countries.
• International Business and Regional Economic integration: the cases of the European Union and Africa.
• International Business and Regional Economic Integration: other models in emerging economies (ASEAN, Mercosur etc.)
• Evolution of national business environments in major emerging economies, and importance of differences in institutional/cultural systems in major emerging economies for international business activities.
• International competitiveness, Foreign Direct Investment, technology transfer, and Corporate Social Responsibility in emerging economies.
• Managing international business activities with and within emerging economies.

Learning and teaching on this module

This module consists of a series of lectures supported by tutorials in which cases will be analysed and issues debated.

The module delivery adopts a blended learning approach.All lectures are delivered online. Tutorial seminars are delivered alternately online and face-to-face every second week.

Summative assessment takes place in the form of a coursework report.

Module Assessments

Summative: Coursework - Written (weighting 100%)
Individual Coursework Report (3000 words)

Assessment Briefing Information

Additional assignment briefing information to help and support you with your assessment for this module will be provided by your module tutor.

Developing good academic practice

Referencing Style

We expect you to act with integrity throughout your studies and in your assessments. This means presenting your own work, written in your own words, and clearly indicating through referencing where you have read and used the work and ideas of others.

The academic referencing and citation style for this module is Harvard 

If you need help with understanding referencing and using the style, you can look at the University's Guide. This guide also contains information about online tools that help you write your references. For more in depth support, you can contact your subject librarian or make an appointment, or you can book onto a workshop.

Study Skills Support

Most students find that they need some assistance, guidance or reassurance at some point during their studies. For help and support with your module, visit the 'Module Contacts' section of your Canvas course or speak to your Personal Academic Tutor. The name and contact details of your PAT are available on your student record on e:vision. Your well-being is important for effective study, so do not be afraid to contact the Student Life and Wellbeing Services if you need help. There are a range of Student Services at the University who can also support you with your studies, including the Academic Skills Advice Service who provide a range of self-access skills resources, workshops and 1:1 appointments and the Language Centre who can help with English for academic purposes.

You can also contact your subject librarian for help with finding information and using Library resources.For more information about the wide range of support available during your studies, visit the‘Supporting your Learning at Bradford’ page on Canvas.

Academic Misconduct

As a student, you are expected to complete all work independently and honestly, using an appropriate academic style. Failure to do so may result in penalties for academic misconduct.

All students are expected to complete the University'sAcademic Integrity Induction module in Canvas during their first term of study. If you haven't done this already, you can find it on your Canvas dashboard under 'Essential E-Learning'.

To find out more about academic integrity and the University's regulations regarding academic misconduct, visit the Student Casework site.

Consideration of personal circumstances

During your studies, you might face circumstances which impact or extenuate your ability to attend learning sessions, complete assessments or academically perform at your expected level. This might include, for example, a serious illness, or personal issues such as bereavement.

It is important that you tell someone at the University as soon as you can about any such issues so you can get the advice and support you need.As soon as an issue arises, let your Module Tutor and your Personal Academic Tutor know. They will then determine how best to support you.

Support before an assessment deadline might include:

• Having additional support sessions to help you with your assignment.
• Involving other services with your permission such as study skills support or counselling.
• Offering you the opportunity to request an extension to the assignment deadline by completing an Extension Form (available from the Consideration of Personal Circumstances information site).
• Recommending that you submit an Extenuating Circumstances Form, if you are going to be unable to complete a particular assessment even with an extension or additional support: https://evision.brad.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/SIW_LGN

The University operates a Fit to Sit and Fit to Submit policy, which means that if you undertake any assessment activity you are declaring yourself well enough to do so.

If you are unable to attend an exam or submit your coursework you should complete an Extenuating Circumstances form online via your e:Vision account. You should submit this online form no later than 7 days after your assessment was due to take place. Include evidence of your circumstances, such as a doctor's note, with your form. This will then be reviewed and you will receive an email advising whether or not it has been accepted in due course.