International Business Administration B, 30 Credits

Contents

Module 1. Financial Accounting 7.5 ECTS
An understanding of how to use, interpret, and analyze financial reports is important for those operating in an international business environment. The international financial reporting standards are introduced through a brief overview of financial accounting concepts and a description of the general accounting model. The interpretation of specific business transactions and approaches to the preparation of financial reports are also taught in this module. The approach enables students to see how accounting information is used, interpreted, and analyzed in real world decision making. The students will get an introduction and practical use of business systems in order to understand business processes

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:•understand the basics of double-entry book-keeping and annual accounts.

• possess the basic skills to independently analyse,  interpret, and use information in financial reports.
• describe the content and identify the links between the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of cash flows and supplemental disclosures
• explain and analyse the development of international financial reporting standards and standard harmonization in accounting
• at an introductory level understand how to use business systems and accounting systems.

Focus of instruction
This module is presented through lectures, discussions, exercises and a project. All teaching will be in English.

Examination modes
Examination will be based upon one or more individual assignments, a group work and an individual written comprehensive exam. A passing grade is required on each part of the module.

Module 2. Foundations of Finance 7.5 ECTS
This course is intended to introduce participants to the fundamental concepts of finance for business purposes. It is an introductory course that will define basic concepts used in financial management with an emphasis on understanding risks and returns associated with the investment decision. The approach taken is operational, i.e. that of the middle manager, someone who must be able to use the decisions of a comptroller of Chief Financial Officer to defend and promote projects within their own division of a firm. This approach is also useful for the entrepreneur who must understand the concepts presented by bank managers and accountants, but who is most urgently in need of an understanding of key operational decisions in finance. Those who find the subject interesting may decide to continue in finance and expand their knowledge from these fundamentals to a broader understanding of capital markets, financial management of capital structure and corporations through additional courses available at the C- and D- level.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this course, the student should be able to:•describe key financial terms

• explain the basic principles of financial management and their consequences for decision making in business
• utilize tools to asses the impact of business financial decisions and calculate the value of projected cash flows
• explain the concept of risk as used in finance as well as being able to measure systematic and unsystematic risk
• apply capital budgeting techniques and undertake sensitivity analysis using spread sheets
• explain factors that affect the optimal capital structure of a business.

Focus of instruction
The course is constructed of lectures, tutorials, workshops and individual consulting. All teaching will be in English.

Examination modes
Examination will be based upon one or more individual assignments, a group work and an individual written comprehensive exam. A passing grade is required on each part of the course.

Module 3. Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) 7.5 ECTS
In this module the students are introduced to entrepreneurship as a phenomenon and knowledge area. The main purpose is to develop the knowledge of and understanding for entrepreneurship and business development processes.

During the module, the development of the concept and academic discipline of entrepreneurship are discussed. The concept of entrepreneurship is problematized and the multidisciplinary character of the area is outlined. The entrepreneurial perspective based upon the idea of social agency is compared to the management perspective, which has primarily dominated earlier courses in the International Business Program.

The focus of this module is entrepreneurship related to business development, both as manifested in the establishment of new ventures and in the renewal of existing firms. A central question is: How are entrepreneurial processes developed and what are the main driving forces in the development process? The driving forces are found in the entrepreneur/the entrepreneurial team as well as in their dynamic context. Questions about what entrepreneurial activity is, and how entrepreneurial approaches relate to current trends in the society and structural changes, are illuminated with help of theoretical discussions and practical examples. The majority of these discussions are organized in the form of thematic student lectures. Examples of entrepreneurship themes that may occur in the module are growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and new venture creation.

Entrepreneurship manifests itself in actual business activity. As a part of the module, the different aspects of business administration will be integrated by using and developing previous knowledge in the subject to develop a business idea and to conceptualize this idea in a business plan. Through this, the entrepreneurial perspective will be merged with the management perspective, which also is a prerequisite for business.

To be able to conduct business development in a successful way, access to, and managing supportive systems are of crucial importance. This module will deal with these issues by having computer based exercises in using supporting systems in the decision process.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:•describe and problematize the concept of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial perspective

• describe and analyze the entrepreneurial process, its drivers, characteristics and context
• apply theories about entrepreneurship to real life situations
• take initiatives and independently develop a business idea and use knowledge gained from earlier courses in business administrative in order to develop this idea in a business plan sketch
• use the main information resources in the entrepreneurship field
• plan and perform a presentation within a theme about entrepreneurship as well as argue for and sell a business idea
• show competence regarding  what business processes support systems that are available for business development.

Focus of instruction
The education in entrepreneurship shall also contribute to developing students’ creativity, their ability to take initiative and their action orientation. The pedagogical idea of the module therefore builds on key words such as theoretical abstraction and practical activity in interaction with student activity and students’ ability to learn in interaction with others.

Various teaching methods are used during the module. A minor number of lectures of introductory and orientation character are supplemented with guest lectures by researchers, entrepreneurs and others, who work with entrepreneurship and business development in practice.
Learning activities that focus student initiative and action orientation dominate during the module. During the module the students will, as an integrated part of the module, have the possibility to practice his/her capacity to obtain information about a theme and through a student lecture communicate theoretical ideas and connect them to real life businesses and/or entrepreneurs. Students will also perform a business development assignment. The assessment means that students formulate an idea and a business plan for a company’s continued activity. The assessment is presented through an oral presentation and a written report, which will be discussed in a seminar. The work with these assignments is performed in smaller groups. Literature seminars may also be used.

Examination modes
The students are assessed through an individual written comprehensive exam, a student lecture, a business development assignment and an exercise on Business support systems. A passing grade is required on each part of the module.

Module 4. Research Methodology in Business Administration 7.5 ECTS
The overarching aim of this module is to acquire a basic knowledge of scientific paradigms and research methods. Further, the aim is to develop the student’s ability to first, conduct and in written form report a scientific study, and second, to evaluate and use scientific as well as other reports.

The module begins with a discussion on the process of knowledge creation, with an emphasis on the production of scientific knowledge. Important building blocks in this process are frames of reference, scientific ideals, problem formulation, scientific approaches and methods for data collection and analysis.

Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of a well thought-out choice of topic, problematisation, and a careful specification of the problem statement (research question). To this general scientific approach, research design and different types of research strategies are addressed. Further, the possibilities and limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods are discussed. Methods for sampling and data collection are scrutinized, among other things based on the possibilities of accessing information.
The module also includes activities that develops the student’s ability to find information in databases, to use different types of information in an appropriate manner, and to evaluate this information and the sources according to relevant criteria.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:•describe the basic features of the main scientific ideals, and explain how different values and perspectives influence the process of knowledge creation

• describe the different characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods and evaluate the suitability of different methods to solve different types of research questions
• search, evaluate and use different types of information on a basic level
• argue for the formulation of a particular problem (research question), scientific strategies and methodological choices, and analyze an empirical and theoretical material
• critically examine a report from different perspectives
• plan, design and conduct a scientific study.

Focus of instruction
Lectures, seminars and supervision are the cornerstones of the teaching method during this module. Attendance is obligatory for activities that are part of the examination.

Examination modes
As examination the student will conduct a scientific study together with a number of other students and perform at seminars.  An individual written exam is also a part of the module . A passing grade is required on each part of the module.

Expected learning outcomes

See respective module.

Required Knowledge

Univ: At least 22.5 passed ECTS from the course International Business Administration A (2FE012) or similar. Language: Students are required to have adequate knowledge of English corresponding to English B-level at Swedish Gymnasium, or, corresponding levels in internationally recognized tests of English proficiency such as the TOEFL test (a score of 550 is required on the paper- based test, and 213 on the computer-based test); IELTS (a score of 6.0 is required, with no individual score below 5.0); or University of Cambridge/Oxford test.

Form of instruction

See respective module.

Examination modes

See also respective module. Examination of modules 1-4 will be based upon the student’s active participation in seminars, a written individual comprehensive exam (tentamen), and successful completion of group or individual coursework as assigned.

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%).

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. Students who do not pass the written examination for module 4 will be offered a re-examination opportunity to complete the written examination 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 cannot retake 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 module.

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 fstudents to achieve course specific learning objectives as lectures for example can provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course literature and other relevant course materials.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. To receive the grade Pass on a module each of the obligatory parts of the examination on that module must have received the grade Pass.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction in the course, the student must have achieved that grade at 3 of the 4 modules..

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

Other regulations

International Business Program 240 ECTS. The course is included in the International Business Program at Umeå School of Business and Economics. The course is also offered to exchange students within formal agreements.

International Business Program 240 ECTS. The course is included in the International Business Program at Umeå School of Business and Economics. The course is also offered to exchange students within formal agreements.