International Business Management

Empowering students who may not have a management background to rapidly adopt an awareness of, and some capacity for, managing in a challenging international environment. This module critically reflects on various global factors and their dynamics, and the ways in which these provide not only context, but also challenge and opportunity. The role of agents (commercial, statutory, multilateral, NGOs, voluntary bodies, and individuals) and related institutions are assessed in order to highlight a range of management issues and risks active in the global environment. Students are introduced to theories, approaches, and techniques for evaluating and managing in such global environments, including analytical frameworks, and the limits of risk assessment tools in making sense of complex and dynamic environments.

Organisations are under increasing pressure from various stakeholders to embed environmental and social purpose into business systems and structures, and the module is designed to develop an understanding of opportunities and challenges for progressive and transformative organisational action. This module provides students with a conceptual and practical understanding of the principles of responsible management as presented in the United Nations PRME, and Global Compact frameworks. Emphasis will be given to the business perspective (both from an individual and organisational analytical lens), alongside other societal actors in a broader political-economic context, alongside ethical decisions shaping responsible business management practices.

The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of communication approaches to and within international markets. It will introduce and explore intercultural communication theory and consider its application within the context of intercultural business communication. The module is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on the fields of linguistics, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, business, leadership and marketing. The module will consider in depth the most important factors for communicating successfully in an international business environment and for meeting the intercultural challenges that can typically arise within the varied circumstances of such business. Studies will cover cultural issues, linguistic and behavioural etiquette, communication methods, cultural blocks, values and stereotyping as well as the planned communications and marketing of global brands within international markets. These studies will engage with the most useful theoretical insights and current research that relate to these issues.

The module provides a holistic overview of the strategic management process and a critical awareness of major issues associated with strategic decision making. Drawing upon traditional academic theories and current debates, the module examines and critically evaluates the practice and process of strategic management in different organisational settings. The module considers strategy as a whole by integrating the different phases of the strategic development process and through the application of key strategic management theories, models and frameworks critically analyses the strategic position, capability and choice of organisations.

This module develops students’ abilities to critically evaluate a range of leadership theories from classical thinking through to current approaches that are reflective of the ever-changing business environment. Students will develop insights into their own leadership skills, their understanding of others and their awareness of self. At the same time, they will evaluate leadership approaches in terms of both theoretical rigour and applicability to practice, and consider the complexity in engaging followership across international, organisational and cultural boundaries.  Learning will also emerge by working with peers from different countries who bring a range of values and perspectives on leadership requiring students to demonstrate flexibility in both their thinking and behaviour.  The module develops both the skills and the knowledge required of leaders in today’s complex, global business environment.

• Strategy & Entrepreneurship - 20 Credits
• Business Consulting - 20 Credits
• Market-Led Strategic Change - 20 Credits
• Financial Technology (FINTEC) - 20 Credits
• Data Analytics and Modelling - 20 Credits
• Sustainable Innovation and Change - 20 Credits

This module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools required to develop and undertake research in any area of business. Students will evaluate and synthesise research philosophies, develop research strategies, and select research methods using secondary and/or primary sources appropriate to particular research questions, relating these to existing business theories.

The module provides the foundation for further development of research skills through a dissertation by independent study.

*Students will have a choice between the Dissertation module OR the Consultancy Project module.

The dissertation enables students to specialise in an area of interest by conducting an independent, in-depth research project, guided by research-active tutors. Students will evaluate and synthesise research philosophies, develop research strategies, conduct research using secondary and/or primary sources and analyse their findings in relation to existing business theories.

The dissertation is of interest to potential future employers, demonstrating critical abilities, research expertise and business knowledge. It can also prompt student interest in conducting further research, whether in a consultancy role or in continued academic research at PhD level.

*Students will have a choice between the Consultancy Project module OR the Dissertation module.

In this module students undertake a consultancy project, relevant to their specific Master’s programme, for a client organisation. Students are expected to undertake research into an issue relevant to the programme’s learning outcomes and to the business case, and to develop conclusions and recommendations that are intended to benefit the client. The project focuses on the rapid collection and assimilation of data as to gain a detailed understanding of the client’s needs and their issues. This is essential in any work-based assignment regardless of the nature of the work or the functional area of expertise being applied. Students will be expected to interact with the organisation as if it were a real commercial relationship which will include recording activities and reporting to the client. By the end of the project, students should have developed a set of skills that they can apply in a consistent, professional and confident manner.