General provisions

Master programme course- track MIB. The course syllabus was approved by the board of the Department of Business Studies on delegation from the Faculty of Social Sciences and takes effects as of 2009-08-31.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits including the equivalent to 60 credits in Business Studies. Proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

Due to the fact that companies go abroad, and that this process incorporates operational issues, financial and legal aspect and many more factors, this course has a key objective to expose student to the internationalisation process, and to different strategies pursued by international companies going through this process.

After participating in the course the student will be able to:

· Discuss strategic problems related to the internationalisation of the firm.

· Analyse the internationalisation and market entry processes from the viewpoint of the individual firm.

· Understand various aspects of international business management including practical problems and phenomena in the multinational corporation.

· Discuss and relate the establishing of foreign business operations to different strategic perspectives.

· Analyse and handle practical problems of establishing business operations in other countries.

Content

The course presents central and contrasting theories on the internationalisation process of the firm and foreign market entry. It elaborates on how firms encounter and chose to solve different managerial problems and how these relate to the strategy of the firm. A central issue in this context concerns the choice of entry market and form of establishment on the foreign market. A central issue through the course concerns the role of knowledge and experience of managers and the characteristics of the surrounding markets.

Instruction

The in-class teaching consists of lectures, seminars and case analyses. Lectures will provide principal knowledge about central topics within internationalisation strategy. Seminars and case analyses require teamwork and attendance is compulsory.

Assessment

Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system and, for international students, the ECTS grading system. The following grades will be used: VG (passed with distinction), which corresponds to A or B in the ECTS grading system, G (passed), which corresponds to C, D or E, and U (failed) which corresponds to the ECTS grade F. The final grade of the course is determined after taking into consideration the different parts of the examination. The course consists of obligatory parts. Examination includes active participation in forums and seminars, writing and defending papers. Performance is evaluated by a written test that is worth a maximum of 50 assessment units (AU) and seminars and case analyses that gives max. 50 AU out of totally 100 AU for the whole course. In addition, any remaining assignments and supplements must be completed and handed in at least within two weeks after the end of the course otherwise the entire course (including all assignments) has to be redone the following semester, provided there is space in the course.

Uppsala University takes cheating and plagiarism seriously, and disciplinary action will be taken against any student suspected of being involved in any sort of cheating and/or plagiarism. The disciplinary actions take the form of warnings and limited suspensions.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.