International Business Environment A, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course introduces students to the international business environment. The course highlights how environmental factors affect business in a global economy. The course will also facilitate students’ understanding of the challenges associated with working, communicating, and negotiating in a cross-cultural context. The course is divided into two major themes; global economy and geography in relation to international business, and cross-cultural business behaviour. During the module, students will also be introduced to the code of academic conduct, e.g. referencing, or how to avoid plagiarism and cheating.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

• define international business and describe how it differs from domestic business with respect to laws, regulations and taxation.
• identify and describe factors and forces that affect an organisation’s decision to internationalize its business
• describe and compare strategies for internationalization
• identify and analyse challenges in working, communicating, and negotiating in a cross-cultural context
• discuss the role ofcorporate social responsibility (CSR) in international business practice.
• describe, regognize and apply the code of academic conduct to the student’s own work.

Required Knowledge

To enter the course general admission requirements are demanded (exemption is given for required courses in Swedish) as well as special requirements for the subject’s mathematics and social science.
The students should have mathematics corresponding to C-level at Swedish Gymnasium (approximately three years in upper secondary education) and social science corresponding to A-level at Swedish Gymnasium.

Language: Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section).

The course is only aimed for foreign exchange students studying at Umeå School of Business within
formal exchange agreements.

Form of instruction

The learning activities include lectures, seminars, and assignments. The major part of the learning is the individual student’s own responsibility and based on the student’s engagement in the provided learning activities including own assignments, individual or in groups. Learning activities and assignments are designed to improve students’ generic skills, specifically oral and written communication, presentation techniques, information searches, and teamwork.

Examination modes

The examination is based on seminars, a written case assignment conducted in groups, and an individual written exam and an individual exam on the code of academic conduct. A passing grade is required for each part.

All examination will be in English.

The following grading system will be used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).

Furthermore, all students have to pass a web-based test on ethical behavior and professional conduct.

Students who fail to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written examination cannot have their results registered.

Students who do not pass the written examination will be offered a re-examination opportunity within a month. Beyond that, additional opportunities to complete the written examination normally arise every academic year one-week prior to the start of the autumn term.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have an alternative examiner. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grade.

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the course.

Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the Thesis manual. Thesis writing in Business Administration.) Urkund records may be used for control.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However, lectures are designed to facilitate for students to achieve course specific learning objectives as lectures for example can provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course litterateur and other relevant course materials.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. In order to pass the course, the student must complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of the points of each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points on the course.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

Other regulations

The course is a part of the International Business Program at Umeå School of Business and Economics. The course is also offered to exchange students within formal exchange agreements.