This unit provides an overview of the field of international business, examining the environment faced by international firms in the context of an increasingly globalised political, social, economic, and technological system. Topics examined include the role of national policies, cultures and business law on firms operating internationally; the evolution of international markets in goods, services, and capital; and global mechanisms for coordinating trade, investment and finance. These topics will all be related back to practices used by international firms including their strategies and organisational design, foreign market entry modes, and internal control and management systems. Discussion of current events and business thinking will constitute a major and ongoing lens for study of the material.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Analyse current developments in theory and practice in the field of International Business (IB);
2. Critically assess concepts and ideas from the IB field and apply them in a public and private policy and management context;
3. Evaluate and apply strategic thinking to formulate corporate strategy at the firm level and link to the achievement of concrete international competitive advantage; and
4. Identify and assess the factors relating to the global firm within global systems of trade and investment.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

11204 Introduction to International Business

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.