International Business BA (Hons)

The module is an introduction to the fundamental principles of marketing. The module aims to bring contemporary marketing perspectives to life for students new to the concept of marketing. The content of the module is underpinned by marketing theory, with an emphasis on application.

Whether pursuing a career in marketing or in supply chain management, modern business professionals have to be well versed in the language of accounting and finance. This module aims to equip a non-specialist audience with a solid understanding of the key principles of financial reporting and management accounting. Students will first learn how firms measure and report their financial position and performance, and then engage in analysis and visualisation of real data using financial ratios. The module will also introduce students to a number of fundamental managerial decision-making techniques, such as cost-volume-profit analysis, simple costing models, budgeting, and capital investment appraisal methods.

The module provides students with a grounding in practical and theoretical perspectives on historical and contemporary forms of management. It explores how organisations address their major challenges by drawing from tried and tested methods, as well as more innovative practices. Students are encouraged to question common sense assumptions about management, and to identify creative and sustainable practices in organisations.

The purpose of the module is to introduce business analytics to the non-specialist. The course aims to provide a broad understanding of descriptive, prescriptive, and predictive techniques in business analytics. It will also provide students with the ability to derive and understand a variety of graphs and statistical models which can be produced in Excel, and which provide a means for managers to make intelligent use of analytics for management, operations, and business decision-making.

The aim of this module is to introduce the core principles of economics (both micro and macro), to develop models and economic perspectives relevant to business students and demonstrate how modern economics can illuminate the problems that businesses face on a day-to-day basis.

This module introduces students to the key issues of International Business (IB). This includes key international business theories as well as relevant issues in the international economic and political context, ranging from international trade to foreign direct investment and regional economic and political integration. The module equips students with the knowledge and understanding of the extant international business theories, research and practice, which are needed to appreciate the internationalization strategies of firms and the global business environment within which firms operate.

This module aims to introduce students to the professional skills they will require during their university studies and future career paths. This module will also prepare students for a year in industry/placement/internship by providing them with an understanding of the skills required to secure a work placement and gain the most from their placement experience. It will also provide students with the opportunity to acquire, develop and apply desired professional skills.

This is an introductory module to the role operations management plays in business. The key principles of operations management will be explained. This will be done via a journey through the organisation from customer demand to suppliers’ delivery to the company. Plenty of practical examples will be used and students will have the opportunity to understand the operational challenges in practice. Besides the subject knowledge students will participate in a number of seminars to better understand how different functions of operations could affect the performance of an organisation.

As the digital landscape evolves globally, widespread use of digital data is reshaping businesses, guiding research, and influencing policies. We have witnessed businesses harnessing ‘big data’ to counter the effects of COVID-19 on their supply chains, the utilization of satellite imagery with ‘deep learning’ to pinpoint areas of extreme poverty, and the deployment of mobile data to track disease outbreaks like malaria and Ebola. Moreover, social media analytics have played pivotal roles in improving disaster responses. As the world progresses towards a digital-intensive era, it is important for students to possess the necessary data analytical skills allowing them to engage with groundbreaking academic research and policy developments in international business. This module aims to acquaint students with the opportunities and challenges that participate to data-driven approaches in international business and equip them with the skills that will enable them to harness modern technological tools with the view to become future global business trailblazers.

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the intertwined concepts of capitalism and international development in the global economy. The module is divided into 2 parts; (1) international development of developed economies and (2) international development of developing and emerging economies. Capitalism has played a significant role in international development- however, this has generated positive and negative effects. On one hand, we see how capitalism has led to substantial economic growth and better standards of life in countries that are now developed. On the other hand, capitalism is also associated with the increase in inequality and other societal and environmental issues.

The module will enable an in-depth analysis of the central issues associated with the economics and policies of international development and will provide an insight into problems, challenges and recent trends in international development as well as i dentify future policy directions.

In a globalised world, companies of all kinds are no longer limited to producing and selling their goods and services in domestic markets. They explore global markets and operate across national borders. What challenges do companies face as they operate in multiple nation-states? How are they different from the domestic companies? How can multinational companies (MNCs) be managed effectively in order to stay competitive in the global market? This module aims to produce the knowledge and skills for students to address these questions. The module is structured into three parts. The first part discusses globalisation and MNCs, providing an overview of the changing landscape of the global economy. The second part focuses on the challenges that faced by MNCs with an analysis on the complex and often conflicting external environmental factors that shape the strategy and management of MNCs. The third part discusses how MNCs manage these challenges, exploring different strategies and practices that managers could consider in managing operation, talents and knowledge across borders.

This is a very stimulating and interesting module for second year International Business students. It is generally recognised that an organisation’s chances to succeed increase when companies are managed by developing a high-quality strategic plan that is executed carefully and efficiently. This module is focused on business-level strategy and plans to introduce students to the strategy development process and to the decision-making process managers engage with during the strategy development.

This module is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and the intricate dynamics involved in managing operations across multiple countries in an increasingly interconnected world. The emphasis lies in delving into the reasons behind companies transitioning into MNCs and examining the fundamental activities and strategic decisions that define the global operations of MNCs. This encompasses cultivating non-location-bound Firm-Specific Advantages, orchestrating organizational capabilities to manage global value chains and the relationship between headquarters and subsidiaries. Furthermore, the module explores the dynamic interplay between MNCs and their home and host country institutional contexts. Home country institutions significantly shape the foundation and operations of MNCs, influencing their strategies, governance structures, and overall behaviour, impacting an MNCs global competitiveness. Host country institutions shape MNCs’ interactions with local markets, influencing adaptation strategies, and determining the extent of institutional embeddedness, ultimately affecting the success or challenges faced by MNCs in foreign host countries. Through analysing academic literature focused on MNCs and international business strategy, coupled with exploring recent global trends and developments, students will be encouraged to form and express their perspectives in a structured and convincing manner.

This module is designed to establish students’ comprehensive understanding of concepts and theories in business ethics, responsible business and sustainability in a global context, and thereby able to 1) discuss evidence of how multinational corporations can be both the problem and the solution for social and environmental problems in society, and 2) analyse how stakeholders and the institutional dynamics at home and host country shape the sustainability performance of multinational corporations .

During the lectures, students will be introduced to concepts and theories in business ethics, responsible business, and sustainability, such as ethical dilemma, the straw man approach to business ethics , corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate sustainability performance (CSP), the triple bottom line, environmental social and governance (ESG) matrix, equality diversity and inclusion (EDI), pollution halo, pollution haven, Porter hypothesis, shareholder value theory, stakeholder theory, institutional theory.

This module provides an overview of what workforce equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are and their relevance and usefulness in improving the understanding and management of people at work. Today’s workplace is changing due to a number of factors including an ageing population and increases in the number of women and ethnic minorities. As a result, there is a need to effectively understand and manage EDI in organisations in order to create an inclusive workplace that meets organisational outcomes. A number of issues that managers of a diverse workforce face are explored. In particular, issues such as gender, age, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation and intersectional identities are discussed. Two key approaches towards EDI are reviewed: the social justice case and the business benefits case. The module also explores a range of EDI related concepts and topics such as social identity, stereotyping and discrimination. It also considers the protected rights of employees covered by UK legislation as well as international legislative drives and policies.
Successful students will develop their understanding of the field of EDI and their own personal position within it. They will also inform their practice as future managers from both research and practitioner perspectives.

The aim of this module is to develop awareness of the distinctive nature of the business environment within and around the European Union (EU). Students who complete this module will have an improved understanding of the role of the EU in relation to business. The key political and legal institutions and actors responsible for the formulation of policies that influence business practice in Europe will be examined and core academic debates about the form and function of the EU will be reviewed. The students will also be introduced to economic integration and the operation of the EU single market. In the second half of the module, we will explore specific EU business-related activities. There will be a case study of the UK’s EU membership.         

The core roles of government in relation to business are identified and evaluated and significant changes discussed. The module also explores the nature of the relationship between government and business, for example in terms of neo-corporatist structures and the role of business as an actor in the governmental process. These issues are also placed firmly within a wide-ranging international context and examples are drawn from a wide variety of countries. The module is assessed through an assignment and an unseen exam. Successful students will acquire an appreciation of the interactions between government and business, develop a strong critical awareness and be able to apply the general debates to a wide range of specific examples.

Innovation and entrepreneurship draw together key themes relating to the development of new products, new processes and new organisations in the business environment. Innovation is strategic when it is consistent with a corporation’s mission, vision and values and is created to enhancing the strategic positioning and/or competitiveness of organisations. This module deals with the principles underpinning innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of a global business environment.
In this module students will gain a deep understanding of the role of strategic innovation activities in various organisational settings as a tool to developing a longer-term entrepreneurial culture. It will focus on comparing methods of best practice for entrepreneurial innovation developments and how these are utilised in practice using case studies and simulated examples.
The module draws on both theory and practice from a range of sub-disciplines and areas of study, including examples of innovation within large public and private sector organisations as well as smaller technology-based organisations both local and international.
Whilst the module provides theoretical insight into innovation and entrepreneurship, students will also be encouraged to identify best practices in the management of innovation and entrepreneurship in organisations.

This course is designed to give students awareness of the legal scope and character of the ways in which business is regulated in a global economy. As markets open up, supply chains become global, and business thereby becomes cross border in character, ethical considerations become significant, and the effective regulation of that business can become a serious challenge, both for regulators and the parties to that business. As a result, international business regulation has become a complex, ever-changing, and constantly evolving institutional environment, both at the national level, and the transnational. It covers a many legal fields, and affects multiple aspects of business organisation and operation. It impacts significantly on consumers and businesses, but also has profound implications for regulators – that is policy-makers, legislators and enforcement agencies, and the challenges of regulating corporate behaviour.

This module aims to provide undergraduate international business students a broad overview of the core concepts in technology and innovation management, the dominant theories in it, innovation and technology management tools and frameworks that are employed by organisa-tions, international standards on innovation, ethical technology management practices and fi-nally practical evidences of the same. With the aid of lectures and experiential learning orient-ed seminars, the module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the current international innovation and technology management practices and a critical perspective in evaluating the innovation and technology management frameworks. The module prepares international business students for a career in international business with organisational roles related to new product development and the strategic management of technology, knowledge, and innovation.

​This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of what is expected of a manager and what is meant by managerial “effectiveness”. To do this, you need to be able to identify the role of a manager and those factors which influence a manager’s effectiveness – and these lie not only within yourself but also in your working environment.​

Identity and culture are two very important phenomena in organisations. They help explain why organisations look and feel the way they do. They also help us understand why people in organisations often ignore and/or resist rational models and techniques; how these affect the ways employees see their identity at work and their sense of wellbeing; and how identity and cultural management at sectoral, occupational and organizational levels impact workers’ sense of self. Students on this module are encouraged to investigate culture and identity in relation to wellbeing in contemporary films, fictional narratives and social media, as well as in the academic literature.

This module gives an overview of some very basic economic principles as it applies to the firm and its environment. It equips the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and evaluate internal and external factors that influence the strategic decisions made by the firms. This includes the analysis of the nature and behaviour of firms in international markets. It is designed for non-economists such as Business Studies students . Explanations are sometimes based on very basic diagrams and students are expected to have GCSE level maths.

This module delivers an outlook of issues of international finance, such as parity conditions, currency exposures/management and international capital markets; especially focusing on the financial management of multinationals. The groundwork is based on fundamentals of finance which provides an introduction to the core principles of finance, valuation and financial decision-making, within the domestic setting and then expands to the international setting.

This module gives students an up-to-date coverage of global strategy and hands-on experience putting theory into practice. It sets new approaches such as institutional analysis alongside more traditional approaches based in economics and management. It also gives considerable attention to competition in and from emerging economies. At the end of the module, students are able to critically analyse the challenges and opportunities that a multinational enterprise (MNE) faces and the context in which these organizations make decisions. Assessment is through an individual report submitted at the end of the module.

This module provides a detailed coverage of the nature and determinants of the pattern of world trade and financial, capital and labour flows. The module also aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of why conflicts arise between nations due to international economic activity and what policy options are most appropriate for countries both individually and cooperatively to adopt. Throughout the module emphasis is placed upon the role of theory in enhancing understanding of the key issues in international economic relations.

The module covers the history and development of corporate governance, and the key principles and systems that underpin corporate governance today. It also provides the opportunity to assess the practical application of corporate governance systems across major international organisations based on UK regulation.

The independent study module (i.e Dissertation) is an individual piece of work, related to the specialist element within the International Business programme, undertaken by the student with supervisor support on an individual basis.

The module introduces students to core theories and current issues and developments concerning knowledge management with the aim of fostering innovation. Students will learn how to analyse and critically evaluate the subject matter and apply it to diverse organisational environments.   

All decisions involving uncertainty run the risk of failure. This module examines why people and organizations sometimes make unwise decisions and how to make better decisions.

The aim of this module is to develop and enhance students’ critical understanding of the key issues surrounding the contemporary football sector. Students will develop a critical understanding of how economics, finance, marketing and other business and management disciplines can be used to analyse features of the football business sector. Furthermore, various concepts and theories from the aforementioned disciplines will be used to analyse critically decision-making within the sector. Where appropriate alternative outcomes will be considered that might improve efficiency and effectiveness within the sector.

The key focus of this module is for the students to build a strong understanding on contemporary issues concerning the International Business discipline as well as develop their critical thinking and critical discussion skills on a variety of controversial issues in IB. Through reading and interpretation of the academic international business literature as well as recent trends and developments in the global marketplace, students will be encouraged to analyse and debate the topics in order to form and express their own perspective in a structured and convincing manner. The module will draw on the research expertise of academic staff at ULMS and appropriate external speakers.

The aim of the module is to build on the basic management accounting methods seen in ACFI 107 through coverage of a range of additional/more advanced techniques that aid costing, decision-making, planning and control. The module will also cover some of the contemporary developments within management accounting and performance measurement which have had a fundamental impact on the way many organisations are operated and managed.

This module aims to enable students to understand how management consulting projects are led and delivered in real life. Moreover it enables students to understand how international business knowledge taught in other parts of their programme of study can be combined, synthesised and applied to a practical real-life situation. This module also aims to enhance students’ employability skills and future career prospects.

This module will provide an advanced, albeit non-technical, critical understanding for students with a variety of academic backgrounds of a number of current issues faced by both academics and practitioners in the area of finance for development. These will include, for example, trying to answer the question of whether foreign aid works, the impact of multinational firms upon the economy of host countries, the evolving roles of the IMF and World Bank and whether microcredit really provides a “silver bullet” solution to poverty. The module will also cover the main principles of Islamic Finance. This a very strongly research-led module. Finally, the module will have a developmental form of assessment in the form of a research-based proposal for a new textbook that will allow students to revisit the knowledge they have acquired in the module from a perspective of their choice like, for instance, de-colonisation of the curriculum, sustainability, environment, fintech, financial inclusion, gender.

The Corporate Communications module seeks to raise awareness of the importance of language and communication in business and management contexts. Students will develop a deep understanding of internal and external communications and how integrated communications serve to benefit organisations. Within the module students need to be prepared to develop a number of transferable skills. Importantly, students will need to undertake both independent research and apply communication, marketing and sociolinguistic theory to the business environment. Assessment is via an individual written report and the production of a group presentation.

This module focuses on the business environment and practices in emerging markets, including the range from micro- small and medium-sized enterprises (‘MSMEs’) to multinational enterprises (‘MNEs’) based in these countries.

The management of sustainable supply chains is key to the operations of modern organisations. The need to be competitive, reach new markets, source new goods and raw materials have all been key contributors to the development of supply chains as a function. It has become clear that competitive advantage and customer satisfaction can be gained if all organisations in the chain work together to improve service and reduce cost. Modern day supply chain management also has a focus on sustainability, as the supply chain is a key area when improvements can be made. The module provides the student with comprehensive understanding of key principles and techniques of supply chain management including topics such as inventory management, materials and capacity management, supply chain partnerships and IT. There is a growing pressure from society to improve the sustainability of supply chains in order to help reduce the environmental impact of business so sustainability will be a core focus throughout the module.