Aims

Aims
1. To gain a practical and theoretically well-grounded understanding of how governance regimes develop and the operation of international institutions and transnational communities.
2. To understand how power is garnered and exercised by elites and other groups within organisations and society-at-large, nationally and internationally.
3. To appreciate the importance of networks and networking nationally and internationally for effective economic management and development.
4. To locate international business diplomacy as critical to the functioning of transnational organisations and the global economy.
5. To develop the dispositions and skills necessary to success in international business diplomacy.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Diplomacy in the world of business: introduction; theories and concepts; locating diplomacy with reference to international strategy and business environment.
2. State, markets and politics: the relationship between state and markets; construction of rules within which markets operates; change in rules; influence of domestic and international politics.
3, Advocacy, lobbying and media: The media, campaigns and lobbying; mass media and social movements; mobilisation by non-corporate actors; scripting official communications. Influencing, shaping and mobilising public opinion; legitimisation: concept, realisation and importance.
4. Beyond multinationals -Transnational communities, elites and global economic governance: International organisations and institutions. Transnational companies. Transnational elites. Transnational professionals. Transnational communities. National and transnational identities. Global economic interconnections, resource flows and settlements. Global governance and decision making. Complex and persistent problems: unequal growth, inequality, population growth and environmental degradation.
5. International regulatory regimes: social movements and regulatory regimes; non-business regulatory regimes and impact on markets; power and politics of regime construction; corporate collective action; INGOs
6. Diplomacy, personal conduct and communication. Agency and personal capital (social, cultural and symbolic). Professionalism and professional conduct. Ethics and personal conduct. Playing in an international team: ethos, behaviour and practices. The importance of respect and the understanding of hierarchy. Effective and efficient communication.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will introduce the key concepts and provide the knowledge base, backed up by guided reading. The seminars will have a stronger focus on skills development and will provide an opportunity for students to develop and practice them, using case studies and group exercises. Students will also spend a substantial part of their independent study time working in student groups on the group presentation and assignment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will assess knowledge and understanding of the concepts and institutional arrangements, as well as the student’s ability to apply the principles of business diplomacy in particular situations. The individual assignment and group presentation will provide the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge to real situations, as well as assessing students’ ability to work in groups and to give effective presentations.

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Assessment elements build upon each other and test group-based and individual skills. A group-work, including the assessed presentation (20%, mid-term summative), is a hallmark feature of this module which has been noted by students to be its strength. Individual assignment (30% mid-term summative) is introduced to balance the group/individual mid-term assessment on the module. Formative assessment helps students to develop understanding of the requirements for Level 3 presentations in terms of analytical rigour and public speaking skills.