About this course: This course explores the international business environment in which organisations function. You’ll learn about core analysis methods, including PESTLE, SWOT, and Boston Box Matrices, as well as the applications of Porter’s Five Forces. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in discussion forums and access case studies, as well as testing your understanding in quizzes. This course forms part of a specialization from the University of London designed to help you develop and build the essential business, academic, and cultural skills necessary to succeed in international business, or in further study. If completed successfully, your certificate from this specialization can also be used as part of the application process for the University of London Global MBA programme, particularly for early career applicants. If you would like more information about the Global MBA, please visit www.londoninternational.ac.uk/mba This course is endorsed by CMI
Created by: University of London
Taught by: Dr Alan Parkinson, Deputy Director (Education), School of Management
UCL, University of London
| Basic Info | Course 5 of 6 in the International Business Essentials Specialization |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 5 hours per week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
First Ideas
This week introduces the nature of the environment, both external and internal, in which the organisation exists. It provides an initial set of insights to a range of models which are useful in managing the challenges presented by a changing environment. This week, we will cover: > What is the organisational external environment? What about the organisational internal environment?International and global contexts, and meeting useful analytical models
8 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Welcome to International Business Environment
- Video: 1.1 Introduction
- Reading: 1.2- The Tasks of Managing
- Video: 1.3 Intermission
- Discussion Prompt: United Airlines Case Study
- Video: 1.4 International Contexts
- Video: 1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies
- Reading: 1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies
- Video: 1.6- Globalization and Internationalization
- Video: 1.7 Five Dimensions of Culture
- Reading: 1.8- Hofstede's Comparison of National Cultures
- Reading: 1.9 - National Cultures
- Video: 1.10- Summary
Graded: Siemens Case Study- Meeting Global and Local Needs
WEEK 2
Analysing the External Environment
This week illustrates how PESTLE and SWOT models are applied and evaluated by organisations as they seek to make sense of the impact of the organisational environment on their activities. This week, we will cover:Generic PESTLE (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) analyses; SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analyses; PESTLE and SWOT analyses at the local, national, and international levels
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 2.1 Analysing the External Environment- Introduction
- Video: 2.2 PESTLE Analysis
- Reading: PEST and PESTLE Analysis
- Video: 2.3 SWOT Matrix ABC
- Reading: SWOT Analysis
- Discussion Prompt: International Business in Action
- Video: 2.4 The Importance of Thorough Analysis
Graded: Quiz: PEST and PESTLE
Graded: SWOT Analysis
Graded: Peer Review: Harrods
WEEK 3
Analysing the Immediate Competitive Environment
This week illustrates how Life Cycle, Boston Box, and Growth Matrix models are applied and evaluated by organisations as they seek to make sense of the impact of the organisational environment on their activities. This week, we will cover: The challenge of product life cycles; Boston Box Matrix analyses of product and brand portfolios; Ansoff Growth Matrix analyses
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: 3.1 Analyzing the Near Environment
- Reading: Product Life Cycle Stages
- Video: 3.2 Boston Box Review
- Reading: Boston Box Matrix
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Product Life Cycle and Boston Box
- Video: 3.3 Ansoff's Growth Matrix
- Reading: Ansoff Matrix
- Discussion Prompt: Bringing Ansoff's Matrix Theory to Life
- Video: 3.4 Reinforcing Key Elements
Graded: Quiz: Product Life Cycle
Graded: Quiz: Boston Box Matrix
WEEK 4
Analysing the Wider Competitive Environment
This week illustrates how the state of competitive rivalry in the environment is analysed and evaluated using Porter's Five Forces model, and Porters strategies for competitive advantage. This week, we will cover: The challenge of competition, Porter's Five Forces model; Competitive strategies, and competitive advantage, using Porter's strategies for competitive advantage
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: 4.1- Introduction
- Video: 4.2 Porter's Five Forces
- Reading: 4.3 Porter's Five Forces
- Reading: 4.4 Harvard Business Review | Porters Five Forces
- Discussion Prompt: 4.5 Reflective Activity
- Video: 4.7 Competitive Strategy
- Reading: 4.8 Reading- Porter's Five Forces
- Discussion Prompt: 4.10- Is Porter's Five Forces Still Valid in Some Industries?
- Video: 4.11- Summary
Graded: 4.6 Case Study- Rolls-Royce
Graded: 4.9 Quiz
FAQs
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Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Creators
University of London
The University of London is a federal University which includes 17 world leading Colleges. Our International Programmes were founded in 1858 and have enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality University of London degrees wherever our students are across the globe. Our alumni include 7 Nobel Prize winners. Today, we are a global leader in distance and flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 50,000 students in over 180 countries. To find out more about studying for one of our degrees where you are, search for 'London International'.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
It was a great learning experience.
Great course!
This was the taught course of the whole set. The lecturer was clear and concise - the videos were relevant and the reading provided up to date and interesting. I've enjoyed this course very much
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AS
Excellent course. Alan Parkinson is such a great professor and explains everything on a very didactic way. The course is very organized and completely clear about the goals to be reached. Moreover, the timing necessary for going over the materials is enough for a busy week, and makes it possible for going deeper in other sources, instead of having to do everything in a hurry due to deadlines.
Thank you very much :)