Aims

This module provides a comprehensive survey of the complex and dynamic international environment in which organisations operate. Areas covered include:
•       locating globalisation and the internationalisation of business in a historical context
•       background to and reasons for today’s international regimes of global governance
•       overview of technological and social drivers of change in the global economy
•       development and regulation of global trade, investment and finance
•       changing role of the state within the global environment
•       trends in the internationalisation of business and in the evolving relationship between business and society
•       impact of emerging economies
•       introduction to relevance of business to major global societal challenges

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1 topics provide a comprehensive overview of the background to and development of the Global Business Environment (GBE). Semester 2 topics then build on this to explore some current key trends in the GBE.

Semester 1 – Understanding the Global Business Environment
-       Introduction to the GBE
-       Origins and dimensions of the GBE
-       Technology and global business
-       Multilateral regulation and international trade
-       Multilateral regulation and financial liberalisation
-       MNCs and the internationalisation of corporations

Semester 2 – Current trends in the Global Business Environment      
-       States and regions
-       Impact of emerging economies
-       Responsibility and ethics for business in a global society
-       Populations and development
-       Business and the natural environment
-       Looking ahead – scenarios for the future

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is an introductory survey class of a broad topic. As such it is best suited to the standard lecture format, However, because this module frequently addresses issues that are being played out in the world around us, activities during class will at times require students to work in ad-hoc groups in class to develop responses to topical issues through discussion of, for example, current media articles.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Semester 1 will be assessed with an written assignment which will allow us to assess the students’ breadth and depth of understanding of the key concepts, issues and challenges in the current global business environment context.