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.

Exemption D-level: 120 credits including Business Studies A, B and C 90 credits.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to increase student's knowledge of international business management and to develop student's understanding, both in a theoretical and practical sense, of problems and phenomena related to the multinational corporation.

The course starts by looking at the contemporary research approaches to the management of MNCs. Contents will cover MNC evolution, HQ-subsidiary relationship, international strategies and structures, subsidiaries roles and headquarters role in the contemporary MNC. A central aspect in this course is to understand how differences in subsidiaries and their local business environment put constraints to headquarters managerial control. Another paramount feature of this course is subsidiary influence on strategic decisions in the MNC and subsidiary autonomy.

By the end of the course the students will be able:

- to understand the implications of operating across national borders

- to analyse different international strategies and organisational structures

- to analyse how different control mechanisms influence the development and the performance of the MNC

- to tackle problems related to foreign operations' control

- to understand the basis for the competitive advantage of multinational firm

Content

In the course central theories of internationalisation, organisations and structures, subsidiary evolution, and management of headquarters – subsidiary relation will be presented and penetrated. In this course students will study and discuss theories on formal and informal organisation, control mechanisms, influence and creation of competitive advantage.

Instruction

The in-class teaching comprises lectures, seminars and case analyses. Lectures will give knowledge about the central topics. Seminars and case analyses require teamwork and attendance is compulsory.

Assessment

To attain the learning goals, student performance is evaluated by active participation in seminars and cases, writing and presenting papers. You will find more information about evaluation in the study guide. The final grade of the course is determined after taking into consideration the different parts of the examination. The course consists of obligatory parts. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The following grades will be used: VG (pass with distinction), G (pass), and U (fail). 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 (all assignments included) must be redone the following semester, provided there is space 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 be recognised in your degree.