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 https://mba.london.ac.uk/.
This course is endorsed by CMI
This course is part of the International Business Essentials Specialization
International Business Environment
Offered By
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
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
9 videos (Total 25 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
1.1 Introduction4m
1.3 Intermission21s
1.4 International Contexts1m
1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies2m
1.6- Globalization and Internationalization1m
1.7 Five Dimensions of Culture31s
1.8 Hofstede's comparison of National Cultures8m
1.10- Summary59s
4 readings
1.2- The Tasks of Managing10m
1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies10m
1.8- Hofstede's Comparison of National Cultures10m
1.9 - National Cultures10m
Week
25 hours to complete
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
5 videos (Total 22 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
5 videos
2.2 PESTLE Analysis5m
2.2 PESTLE analysis case study5m
2.3 SWOT Matrix ABC2m
2.4 The Importance of Thorough Analysis1m
2 readings
PEST and PESTLE Analysis10m
SWOT Analysis10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz: PEST and PESTLE12m
Week
31 hour to complete
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 (Total 19 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
4 videos
3.2 Boston Box Review3m
3.3 Ansoff's Growth Matrix6m
3.4 Reinforcing Key Elements2m
3 readings
Product Life Cycle Stages10m
Boston Box Matrix10m
Ansoff Matrix10m
2 practice exercises
Quiz: Product Life Cycle12m
Quiz: Boston Box Matrix12m
Week
43 hours to complete
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
5 videos (Total 14 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
5 videos
4.2 Porter's Five Forces1m
4.2 Porter's Five Forces continued4m
4.7 Competitive Strategy2m
4.11- Summary51s
3 readings
4.3 Porter's Five Forces10m
4.4 Harvard Business Review | Porters Five Forces10m
4.8 Reading- Porter's Five Forces10m
1 practice exercise
4.9 Quiz20m
4.7
24 ReviewsTop Reviews
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
Explained well..... helped me clear the understanding about various environments affecting the business model..... very good for start ups
Instructor
Dr Alan Parkinson
Deputy Director (Education), School of ManagementUCL, University of London
About University of London
The University of London is a federal University which includes 18 world leading Colleges. Our distance learning 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, visit www.london.ac.uk
About the International Business Essentials Specialization
This specialisation from the University of London is designed to help you develop and build the essential business, academic, and cultural skills necessary to succeed in further study and in international business.
If completed successfully, you may be able to use your certificate from this specialisation as part of the application process for the University of London Global MBA.
This Specialisation is endorsed by CMI.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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