International Business MSc

A programme of individual study and research project in accordance with established research principles involving the completion of the following elements:

Management Research Project

To provide the opportunity to apply management knowledge, skills and research techniques developed during the programme to the identified area of management interest.

To develop students’ intellectual ability in terms of problem solving, critical analysis and conceptual thinking.

To provide students with the opportunity, and the enabling mechanisms to support their development towards independent learning.

The nature, extent and purposes of management research

Management research paradigms

Research strategies

Research designs, methods and approaches

Research quality standards: establishing validity, reliability and generalisability

Sampling and Research instrument design

Research ethics

Research Data Management: collection, organisation and analysis

Managing a dissertation research project

The aim of this module is to enable learners to:

Understand and critically evaluate the findings of management research

Design and implement a management research project using methodologies and methods appropriate to research questions and objectives

Analyse and report management research findings meeting academic and practitioner needs

Strategic financial accounting:

• Understanding the format of financial reports and financial accounts.
• Analysis of financial reporting.

Strategic management accounting:

• Identify and assess the impact of current developments in management accounting and performance management on measuring, evaluating and improving organisational performance.
• Apply appropriate strategic performance measurement techniques in evaluating and improving organisational performance.

1. To enable students to explore and develop an understanding of the theoretical techniques, concepts and methods    employed in strategic financial management.
2. To develop the ability to apply the theoretical to the practical, through the analysis of data and application of relevant techniques in the context of varied situations.
3. To evaluate and develop a critical and reflective awareness of the importance of the application of relevant, available techniques to the enhancement of strategic financial decision making and business performance.

• Organisational behaviour/culture, structure and design;

• The role of the manager, leadership theories, styles and approaches;

• Groups and teams in the organisation – group formation, team working;

• Individual personality, communication and motivation;

• The role of Human Resource Management in the workplace;

• Strategies for high performance working (HPW);

• Employee relations and employment dynamics;

• Performance Management and managing poor performance;

• Learning and development methodologies; 

• Theories and application of reflective practice.

This aims of this module are;

1. For students to draw upon key concepts of leading and managing people and examine how these apply to the current and future world of work;
2. For students to explore and develop an understanding of key theories and concepts in the field of people management and development;
3. For students to be able to synthesise knowledge of people management, together with gaining awareness of wider contextual issues in order to address organisational challenges.

Module content will offer practical, action-orientated master's learning combined with a discourse on economic, social and environmental dimensions as they relate to start-up.  Through workshops, seminars and case studies, students will be introduced to the principles, methods and challenges of sustainable business venture creation, with a specific focus on the process of team preparation of a written business plan appropriate for presentation to potential business investors. The plan will be accompanied by a critically reflective commentary on the process of production.

The teaching and facilitation will feature theoretical and experiential perspectives, with particular focus on the extent to which understanding relates to the pragmatic processes of new business start-ups (and social enterprises) and growth. Included in the content will be perspectives on global citizenship, environmental responsibilities, social justice and global inequalities, ethics and sustainable leadership in the context of an entrepreneurial mindset. In exploring key aspects related to the process of new venture creation, the different stages will be studied, in particular an analysis of the creative process at the 'ideas' stage.  The entrepreneurially distinct requirements of business planning, in terms of marketing, finance, human resources, and operation management will feature. The differences between 'entrepreneurial' and 'management' approaches will be analysed.    

The module aims to equip MSc International Business Students with an advanced understanding of developing a sustainable business idea and translating that idea into a responsible, feasible business plan, capable of securing backing for a global marketplace launch.   

The following is illustrative of what the module will cover:

• International marketing and understanding the global environment
• Understanding market trends and opportunities for innovation and development   
• Cultural diversity and the implications for international marketing and communication skills
• Development and complexities of the international marketing strategies including the global supply chain
• Intercultural marketing communications
• Implementing and coordinating international marketing operations including market entry and exit strategies

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive conceptual and contextual appreciation of all aspects of international marketing – which are hopefully addressed but, in particular, we do consider heavily the all-important cultural issues and frameworks that impact on the entire process. 

The module complements the comprehensive conceptual and contextual appreciation of both buyer behaviour and marketing communications – but here in an international context.  

This unique module further underpins the study of marketing management and as such is another critical and fundamental element to this pathway. It links strategic marketing to corporate strategy, and the necessary strategic decisions required in a contemporary global marketing context.

This module aims to:

• Enable students to critically evaluate theoretical underpinnings that could be employed within the field of international marketing. To enable students to apply knowledge of contemporary international marketing strategies and techniques
• Encourage students to reflect on their own experience and practice as consumers and stakeholders in a global context
• Critically reflect on the changing nature of marketing in a global/international context
• Provide a strategic appreciation of contemporary international marketing

Indicitive content:

• Conceptual foundations of international business in an age of globalisation
• Understanding the international business environment and economy: the influence of political, cultural, economic, legal, social, ecological, and technological factors
• The nature and different interpretations of globalisation and its consequences: Regional economic integration and cooperation
• Dynamics of global strategy: understanding industries and markets, locational competitiveness, emerging factors for change
• Expectations and purposes: cross-cultural management, international stakeholder expectations, business ethics and corporate social responsibility
• Business operations in an international context: Risk analysis, the developing global marketplace, operational decision making and culture and organisational design
• Emerging issues in international business and globalisation

1. To equip students with the appropriate tools and techniques which will allow for the critical analysis, critical evaluation and application of international business strategies.
2. To immerse students in a variety of practical workshops whereby collaborative creation, critical analysis and critical evaluation of business case studies can take place.
3. To develop employability skills related to international business in the workplace, such as critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, negotiation, critical analysis and critical evaluation.
4. To explore, investigate, analyse and compose an effective business proposal related to international business growth and the inherent risks posed by this action.