SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ECONOMICS AND LAW FEG30E, International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15,0 higher education credits International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15.0 högskolepoäng First Cycle 1. Confirmation The course syllabus was confirmed by School of Business, Economics and Law on 2009-09-25 and was last revised by School of Business, Economics and Law on 2010-12-16 to be valid from 2011-01-19. Field of education: Social Sciences 100 % Department: Department of Business Administration 2. Position in the educational system The course International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15 higher education credits is given in the first cycle within the Bachelor Programme in Business and Economics in term 6. The course is also offered to visiting students at the School of Business, Economics and Law. It is not possible to take the course as a single subject course. 3. Entry requirements To be eligible for the course International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15 higher education credit (ECTS ) the students in the Bachelor programme in Business and Economics, language track, must have passed term 5, including the course EP5003 'Internationellt företagande' or equivalent. A minimum of 105 higher education credits including a minimum of 45 higher education credits in Business Administration (Introductory level + Intermediate level) must be passed. To be eligible for the course International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15 higher education credit (ECTS ), visiting students must have a university education including a minimum of 60 higher education credits in Business Administration, including basic knowledge in International Business.
2/ 4 4. Course content The aim of the course is to further deepen the understanding of current patterns and processes in international business, with special focus on the new context of corporate internationalisation in the single internal European market, and the emergence of different structures of international companies in rapidly growing economies in Asia. It is a direct continuation of the preceding course 'Internationellt företagande' (EP 5003), within term 5 in the Business and Economics undergraduate programme, language track. The course contains one single module at 15 higher education credits, based on literature covering a number of central themes related to theory, methodology and practice in international business research. The different themes represent various crucial aspects of the international activities of the firm and the complexity of challenges that these companies are encountered with at the world market-place, illustrated through casestudies of separate manufacturing and service sectors, with Europe and Asia representing the main geographical context. These case-reports will be carried out through the application of relevant theoretical frameworks derived from the recommended literature, through the practical training to collect, interpret and systematize empirical information. The following themes are examples of areas in focus during the course: The internationalisation process of the firm, where the general theories of trade, foreign direct investment, location and barriers to entry etc. are confronted with the new realities met by firms in the single internal European market, as well as in newly emerging economies in Asia; Cultural differences, and how these differences are affecting organization, structure and human resource management in multinational companies; International strategy and organization, focusing on strategies which are used to organize and to carry out international activities with regard to local adjustment as well as global scale economies, and traditional as well as new forms of relations between the parent company and host market subsidiaries; Functional elements in the internationalisation process, e.g. international marketing and distribution, supply chain management, global sourcing, adjustment to international accounting standards, financial management, and research & development; Ethical aspects of the internationalisation of the firm, e.g. Corporate Social Responsibility, Codes of Conduct, Core Labour Standards, and the contribution to sustainable development and global justice. Furthermore, national characteristics and structural similarities and dissimilarities of European and Asian firms will be discussed and assessed in a regional and global context - in particular focusing on companies from France, Germany, Spain, China and Japan. The national characteristics are, in addition, put into a larger business environment context related to politics, legal framework, labour, macroeconomic conditions, trade policies and business cultures in Europe and Asia respectively.
3/ 4 5. Learning outcomes After having completed the course, the student shall: 1. be able to define, explain, and compare theories and perspectives in international business research 2. have developed an in-depth understanding of research in international business to be able to critically analysing theories and perspectives by the examination of several cases, which are reported in both written reports as well as during oral discussions. 3. have improved the ability for systematically illustrating, defining, categorizing, and analyzing the broad range of issues and problems that face the multinational company, by producing written case reports and doing oral presentations 4. have acquired tools for explaining and developing theories and methods, which can be integrated in practical applications in order to be used in daily operations within the multinational company, particularly with reference to Europe and Asia. The qualitative targets for a Bachelor of Science (60 credits) in Business Administration are linked to the learning outcomes of the course. Qualitative targets Learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding 1+2+3+4 Skills and abilities 2+3 Judgement and approach 1+2 6. Literature See appendix. 7. Assessment The teaching is based on a variety of pedagogical approaches; this in the form of a combination of lectures and project based case assignments. Because of the high level of interactive activities the course requires a high degree of engagement by the students, that is, active participation by the students is required. The students are also expected to read ahead and be prepared to discuss as well as form and defend own opinions. The evaluation is focusing on the student's ability to understand and interpret literature and empirical data material. They are also obliged to be able to perform thorough analyses drawing on knowledge and skills acquired during the course, including literature, lectures, and case discussions. This implies that the learning outcomes are assessed through several written case reports in groups and individually as well as through oral presentations. Due to limited resources, the analyses of the course cases can only be assessed at fixed examination sessions during the course period. A student who has failed a test twice has the right to change examiner, unless weighty argument can be adduced. The application has to be in writing and shall be sent to the Department of Business Administration.
4/ 4 8. Grading scale The grading scale comprises Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with Distinction (VG). For Pass on the course, at least 50% of the maximum assessment points of the course are required, that is on written group and individual reports and on oral presentations. For Pass with Distinction on the course, at least 75% of the maximum assessment points of the course are required, that is on written group and individual reports and on oral presentation. All learning outcomes must be passed. Grades are translated with a set model where the grades correspond to the following intervals according to EGIS (ECTS Grade Interpretation Scheme): Pass with Distinction (väl godkänd, VG) Pass (godkänd, G) Fail (underkänd, U) A-B C-E FX-F 9. Course evaluation The course will be evaluated anonymously by the students. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the course. 10. Additional information Language of instruction: English. The course was first given Spring semester 2010. See Rules and regulations for studies at the University of Gothenburg. The Syllabus in English is the official binding document.
UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG School of Business, Economics and Law Department of Business Administration www.handels.gu.se/fek Required reading FEG30E International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15 higher education credits First Cycle Hasegawa, Harukiyo & Noronha, Carlos (2009) ed: Asian Business and Management: Theory, Practice and Perspectives, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, ca 400 pp Suder, Gabriele (2011) Doing Business in Europe, 2 nd Ed., London: SAGE, ca 450 pp Articles related to separate cases, according to instructions during the introductory seminars. Required reading: FEG30E International Business II, Bachelor Course, 15 higher education credits (First Cycle) Approved: Dec 15, 2009. Revised December 17, 2012, to be valid from Spring term 2013.