International Business Administration A IBP, 30 Credits

Contents

The objective of this course is to give the student an integrated basic education within the area of business administration from an international perspective. The modules are:

Module 1. International Business Environment, 7.5 credits/ Internationell  affärsmiljö 7,5 hp
Module 2. Marketing, 7.5 credits/Marknadsföring 7,5 hp
Module 3. Organization, 7.5 credits/Organisation 7,5 hp
Module 4. Management Accounting, 7.5 credits/Ekonomistyrning, 7.5 hp

The course shall, besides offering a basic understanding of business administration from an international perspective, also provide the student with an understanding of economic problems and their relations on society, company/organization and individual level. Included are also perspectives on methods practicable in companies and organizations.

Module 1. International Business Environment, 7.5 credits
The module introduces students to the international business environment. The module highlights how environmental factors affect business in a global economy. The module will also facilitate students’ understanding of the challenges associated with working, communicating, and negotiating in a cross-cultural context. The module 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 module, 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 of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in international business practice.
• describe, recognize and apply the code of academic conduct to the student’s own work.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by 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.

Module 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 of the examination. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 2. Marketing, 7.5 credits
The module aims to develop the student’s competencies and skills in identifying and analysing the organization's opportunities and problems from a marketing perspective. This is done both from a theoretical perspective based on marketing concepts, and partly through the application of marketing tools. The module is divided into the following themes:
Market intelligence and strategic marketing: Organizations’ market environment, consumer behaviour and analytical tools such as market researches. Decisions on segmentation, differentiation and positioning as well as branding

Tools for value creating processes: Approaches used to create value together with the customer and attract and reach selected segments through the marketing mix and the tools for integrated marketing communication such as e-marketing.

Marketing from different perspectives: Marketing is discussed with regard to ethics,  sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR)  This is achieved by approaching marketing from the perspectives of the organizations, the consumers and society at large.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:

• describe what a market intelligence includes and illustrate how factors in the organizations' market environment can influence marketing decisions
• explain and give examples on overall strategic concepts in marketing
• identify, analyse and select appropriate strategies based on market intelligence and organizations' internal conditions
• explain and analyse relations between the various tools in the marketing mix
• critically discuss marketing considering ethics, sustainability and CSR

Focus of instruction
The arrangement of the module provides opportunities for, and requires, the development of the ability to plan work and meet deadlines, relate theoretical knowledge with practical examples and communicate both orally and in writing. The module’s themes are explored through lectures, seminars and a case analysisIn order to increase understanding of these themes, and how they are related to each other, the students are given the possibility through case studies to analyse prospective and actual marketing problems. Case work is done in groups.

Module examination modes
Examination is based on an individual written exam and written individual and group assignments. A passing grade is required for each part of the examination. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 3. Organization, 7.5 credits
The module aims to prepare the student for the management of people in organizations, with a particular focus on the nature and conditions of the organization. The module provides an understanding of what organizations are, why they exist, and how they operate. After the module, the student shall have gained a vocabulary that enables communication regarding organizational issues in future workplaces and shall have developed a critical view on organizations’ role in society. The first theme focuses on the nature of organizations and their functions and how the understanding thereof has developed. The second theme highlights managing and motivating people. The third theme combines a management and decision-making perspective with the existence and importance of change and learning. The fourth theme links the organization to the external environment, emphasizing the role of the organization in society and the responsibility of individuals and organizations to act in a sustainable and ethical way.  
 
Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• explain what an organization is and how the organization´s functions are integrated,
• explain and discuss how, and why, the leadership and management of people is of importance to an organization,
• describe and analyse the reasons for, and management of, change- and innovation processes,
• explain and critically examine the role of the organization in society and the organization’s responsibility to act in an ethical and sustainable way.

 Generic competencies
The module also develops the required ability to:

• work in groups, as well as independently, within specified time frames towards a specific goal,
• present and discuss one’s own as well as others’ standpoints and material.

 Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by a term paper where students work in groups to relate and apply theories to an example organization. The group work is assessed through written submissions that are discussed in the student group and through a final written submission. The group work is supported by lectures, course literature, and in-depth workshops where the students provide constructive critical feedback to one another. The literature seminars furthermore provide the students with opportunities for reflection and enhance the required ability to bring forward arguments and take a stance. The literature seminars are examined individually.

Module examination modes
The term paper is examined group wise through the final submission of the term paper. In addition, students are assessed individually by their active participation in the workshops connected to the group assignment. The module is also examined through individuals’ active participation in literature seminars and an individual written exam. A passing grade is required for each part of the examination. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 4.   Management Accounting, 7.5 credits
Initally, this module introduces participants to the link between the company`s visions, “business idea” and strategies, and the company´s planning-, control- and decision making activities; further, basic knowledge of the central concepts in management accounting will be presented.
Then, the areas of budgeting, costing and cost allocation are developed. Connections are also made to alternative management tools such as the balanced scorecard. Cost allocation and costing are discussed in regard to different methods for allocating the company´s cost and for calculating the total costs of the company´s products and services. The methods treated are for example traditional costing system and activity based costing system. Further, it is discussed how different costing methods and cost allocation can be used in the pricing process and in the process of choosing the long- and short- term product mix.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• Explain and exemplify the central concepts in management accounting
• Explain and discuss the link between the company´s management strategy and the company’s financial and non-financial goals including performance measures and sustainability aspects
• Establish product costing based on complete or partial cost allocation
• Establish different budgets and product costing for the company manually and with computer programs.

Focus of instruction
In the module´s different parts the learning is supported by lectures, group exercises and supervision. The students will practically apply the theoretical knowledge from the lectures when they solve costing problems with the help of costing programs.

Module examination modes
The examination is through an individual written exam and group assignments. A passing grade is required for each part of the examination. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Expected learning outcomes

The information is added to each separate module under contents.

Required Knowledge

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper Secondary course English B, Mathematics course C, Social Science course A. Or: English/6, Mathematics 3b / 3c, Social Science 1b / 1a1+1a2

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B, English/6.

Form of instruction

The information is added to each separate module under contents.

Examination modes

See each separate module and below.
 
The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).
 
Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.
To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.
 
A student who does not pass at the time of the written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within two months. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.
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. Mandatory assignments (seminars, written assignments, cases, computer assignments etc.) that have not been handed in within stipulated time must be done the next time the course is offered. If the form of examination does not permit repetition other forms of re-examination may be used.
 
When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. 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.
 
A student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grade.
 
If a student fails to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written exam in an exam room will not be allowed to take the exam.
 
Disciplinary action may be taken against students who uses unauthorized help aids or in some other way tries to mislead on a test or when another type of task is being evaluated. 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. In addtion, Umeå University rules and regulations  for education and research applies:  http://www.umu.se/regelverk/utbildning-pa-grund--och-avancerad-niva
 
Educational activities are designed to facilitate students towards achieving expected learning outcomes and can explain, supplement and provide contrast to the course literature and other relevant course materials.
 
 

Other regulations

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

This course code can not be used in the same degree as 2FE012, 2FE028, 2FE029, 2FE210, 2FE031, 2FE030.