Contemporary Issues in International Business

Module Title	Contemporary Issues in International Business
Module Code	25-6011-00L
Semester of Delivery	See Module Information Table
Mandatory/Elective/Option	See Module Information Table
Level	6
Credit Points	20
Assessment Mode Weighting	CWEX100
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Class Contact Hours
Average Weekly	1.5
Directed Learning
Average Weekly	5
Module Leader	Ralph Spence
	Sheffield Business School
Module Banding	A
Approval Status	Validated

Rationale

The other International Business modules teach the techniques, strategies, policies etc that are relevant to international firms and they also cover the key features of the international business environment including both regionalism and globalisation. Their main learning objectives relate to the specific techniques, business environment and geographical areas which the module covers. This module, Contemporary Issues, aims to integrate the techniques, strategies and business environment knowledge and apply them to the main contemporary activities and developments that are occurring when the module is delivered.

Summary of Aims

1. To deepen the students knowledge of current international business events and issues.
2. To develop the main techniques learned at levels 1 and 2 and apply these to the key the key contemporary events and issues.

Anticipated Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of some of the major international trends and developments in politics, economics and trade which have effects upon and/or are effected by international business.
2. Analyse key contemporary issues and events.
3. Develop their autonomous research and learning capabilities and presentational skills.

Assessment and Feedback Strategy

Seminars will provide the opportunity for regular formative assessment and feedback relating to the directed learning components which take the form of set readings on specific topics to be presented, discussed and evaluated in seminars.

The group work will form 10% of the assessed course work and students will receive verbal and written feedback on their performance.

The individual written assignment will form the remaining 20% of the assessed course work and students will receive individual written feedback and the opportunity to discuss this during a seminar when the assignments are returned and feedback in general terms is provided by the tutor.

Summative assessment will be in the form of a 3 hour unseen written exam comprising 70% of the total assessment.

Module Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criterion	Level descriptors
		fail	PASS	2.2	2.1	First
1,2,4,5 & 6	Exam, presentation assignment seminars (discussions, presentations)	No explicit answer to specific set question. To little evidence of reading. Work contains irrelevant material. key concepts not understood.	Contains an explicit answer to specific question. Shows sufficient knowledge and understanding of key concepts and topic. Demonstrates sufficient familiarity with course material and set reading. Generally does not do more than provide a basic answer and lacks sophisticated knowledge.	Contains all of the features of PASS but provided more than just the basic answer and shows more evidence of reading and understanding.	The explicit and detailed answers provide a very good level of analysis and display a sophisticated understanding of the key concepts and the topic with ample evidence of wide reading.	Displays excellent level of analysis within an always explicit, clear and relevant answer. Demonstrates a comprehensive and clear understanding of the key concepts and the topic. Applies the theory, analytical frameworks and where appropriate synthesises the results of the analysis. Shows evidence of wide reading.
3	presentation, seminars	No explicit answer to specific set question. To little evidence of reading. Work contains irrelevant material. key concepts not understood.	Contains an explicit answer to specific question. Shows sufficient knowledge and understanding of key concepts and topic. Demonstrates sufficient familiarity with course material and set reading. Generally does not do more than provide a basic answer and lacks sophisticated knowledge.	Contains all of the features of PASS but provided more than just the basic answer and shows more evidence of reading and understanding.	The explicit and detailed answers provide a very good level of analysis and display a sophisticated understanding of the key concepts and the topic with ample evidence of wide reading.	Displays excellent level of analysis within an always explicit, clear and relevant answer. Demonstrates a comprehensive and clear understanding of the key concepts and the topic. Applies the theory, analytical frameworks and where appropriate synthesises the results of the analysis. Shows evidence of wide reading.

Students should be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of research and analysis in answering set seminars questions, individual assignments ,group work and examinations. All answers should directly and explicitly answer the set question as opposed to discussing the topic in general terms.

The assessed work should be logically structured, well presented and well written with appropriate levels of English expression.

Assessed group presentations should demonstrate that the individual group members have been capable of producing an integrated and well structured analysis which explicitly addresses the set issues. The presentation should be informative, easy to follow, supported by appropriate visual aides and delivered in an interesting and clear manner. Students should be able to demonstrate the extent of their research and knowledge of the set topic in both the presentation and the question and discussion session which will follow.

Teaching and Learning Strategy and Methods

Lectures will be used to impart key concepts, issues, definitions and characteristics as well as some of the key facts appertaining to the module. The direct learning component will build upon and expand the lecture material. Seminars will be used to evaluate the direct learning component and to provide opportunity for discussion, questions and feedback. A comprehensive reading list will be provided including key Internet sources. Handouts and case studies will be provided and there may be use of videos.

Indicative Content

• Technology Transfer of various types; its advantages and disadvantages, the methods of Technology Transfer and analysis of the conditions for appropriate technology and successful transfers between countries and firms.
• Analysis of major current strategic alliances, mergers and take-overs.
• The nature of the American capitalist model and the methods implications of American hegemony in the world economy.
• Global financial markets.
• The latest trends, developments, policies, techniques and issues appertaining to the earth's ecological system and other green environmental topics.
• The current issues regarding company and country ethics, human rights etc.

Indicative Reading List

Global Transformations: politics, economics & culture by David Held & Anthony Mcgrew, David Goldblatt & Jonathan Perraton. Blackwells, 1999.

History of the World in the Twentieth Century by J.A. S. Grenville. 2000

Empire by Michael Hardt & Antonio Negri, Harvard Uni Press 2000

Pierre Dussauge & Bernard Garrette, "Cooperative Strategy: Competing Successfully Through Strategic Alliances". Wilely, 1999"Strategic Alliances" by Lorange and Roos, Blackwell 1993.

Fundamentals of Financial Management, 7th Edition, Eugene F. Brigham, Dryden, 1995.

Beyond the Limits: Global Collapse or a Sustainable Future, D. H. Meadows, D. L. Meadows, J. Randers, Earthscan.

Accounting for the Environment, Rob Grey, Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd., 1993.

Business and the Environment, Ed. Denis Smith, PCP Ltd., 1993.

Green Marketing, K. Peattie, The M. & E. Handbook, Series Pitman, 1992.

Texts on Ethics

Business Ethics: A Global and Managerial Perspective, David J. Fritzsche, Mcgraw Hill, 1997.

Business Ethics: A European Casebook, John Donaldson, Academic Press, 1992.

Managing Business Ethics, Drummond and Bain, Butterworth & Heinemann, 1994.

Technology and Economic Development by Edward J. Malecki, Longman 1991