Entry requirements

Completed courses in Business Studies: passed on 30 credits Basic Courses ("A") and registered on 30 credits Intermediate Courses ("B") of which a minimum of 15 credits must be passed.

Learning outcomes

The key objective of this course is to present a comprehensive overview of business challenges facing firms in a global context. Cutting edge theories and academic research in the topics of international business and marketing will be introduced and analysed, to provide a basis for improving practical skills and establishing an understanding concerning these topics.

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• present and discuss central issues in business studies
• analyse firms and markets in a global context
• understand, communicate and discuss concepts and perspectives related to international business and marketing
• use interdisciplinary insights and perspectives from international business and marketing theory, and critically reflect upon these
• analyse the structures, behaviour and strategies of firms in a global context
• understand the foundations for and use the acquired skills when implementing marketing research, marketing strategies and marketing tactics
• understand and discuss ethical dilemmas of firms acting in a global market context.

Content

This course consists of two parts, 1) “Central issues in Business Studies” and 2) “International Business and Marketing”. The first part, “Central issues in Business Studies” presents a broad overview of central issues in business studies, covering sub-disciplines like accounting, corporate finance, management control, organisation, marketing and international business, thus helping the students to gain a better insight and understanding of some central issues facing business studies. Another purpose of this part is to help students find and formulate an interesting and relevant topic for their Bachelor's thesis.

The second part of the course covers issues in International Business and Marketing. Most firms today face a number challenges related to globalisation and the process towards increasingly interdependent markets, networks and flows of information and people worldwide. The course provides a deeper understanding of the role of relationships and networks in a global business setting. We will analyse problems and challenges related to firms’ progress and expansion in present markets, firms’ entrance into new markets, as well as the management of international affairs.

Instruction

The first part of the course is based on a series of lectures held by senior lecturers. The students will be given the tasks related to these lectures.

The course takes a problem‐based learning approach and it builds on central concepts within the framework of international business and marketing. A combination of lectures, seminars with student‐based activities, as well as problem‐based assignments and written reports will be used to develop the students’ insights. Students will work individually and in teams, and active participation is required. Practical insights will be provided by course elements such as guest lectures and cases.

The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on basis of both individual and group assignments and tests. The final grade is based on an assessment of all the parts of the examination. Grading criteria are presented in the study guide provided at the start of the course.

Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The grades VG (pass with distinction), G (pass) and U (fail) will be used.

Assignments and exams handed in late will not be graded except in special circumstances.

Required supplemental work, if any, must be completed and handed in within two weeks after the end of the course, otherwise the entire course (all assignments and exams included) must be redone a following semester, provided there is space available in the course.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating and plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Disciplinary Committee of the University, which may issue a formal warning to the student or expel the student from the university for six months.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.

Transitional provisions

The course substitutes/overlaps among others Management of International business 2FE551, 2FE796, International Business 2FE404,Service Relationship Management 2FE405, 2FE602, Marketing of Services 2FE755, Market Strategy 2FE769, Marketing, Organisation and International Business 2FE429, 2FE426, 8FE426.