International Business Environment

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 4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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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'.

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


9 videos, 4 readings expand

1. Video: Welcome to International Business Environment
2. Video: 1.1 Introduction
3. Reading: 1.2- The Tasks of Managing
4. Video: 1.3 Intermission
5. Discussion Prompt: United Airlines Case Study
6. Video: 1.4 International Contexts
7. Video: 1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies
8. Reading: 1.5- Factors Driving Moves To Global Strategies
9. Video: 1.6- Globalization and Internationalization
10. Video: 1.7 Five Dimensions of Culture
11. Video: 1.8 Hofstede's comparison of National Cultures
12. Reading: 1.8- Hofstede's Comparison of National Cultures
13. Reading: 1.9 - National Cultures
14. 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


5 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: 2.1 Analysing the External Environment- Introduction
2. Video: 2.2 PESTLE Analysis
3. Video: 2.2 PESTLE analysis case study
4. Reading: PEST and PESTLE Analysis
5. Video: 2.3 SWOT Matrix ABC
6. Reading: SWOT Analysis
7. Discussion Prompt: International Business in Action
8. 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 expand

1. Video: 3.1 Analyzing the Near Environment
2. Reading: Product Life Cycle Stages
3. Video: 3.2 Boston Box Review
4. Reading: Boston Box Matrix
5. Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Product Life Cycle and Boston Box
6. Video: 3.3 Ansoff's Growth Matrix
7. Reading: Ansoff Matrix
8. Discussion Prompt: Bringing Ansoff's Matrix Theory to Life
9. 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


5 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: 4.1- Introduction
2. Video: 4.2 Porter's Five Forces
3. Video: 4.2 Porter's Five Forces continued
4. Reading: 4.3 Porter's Five Forces
5. Reading: 4.4 Harvard Business Review | Porters Five Forces
6. Discussion Prompt: 4.5 Reflective Activity
7. Video: 4.7 Competitive Strategy
8. Reading: 4.8 Reading- Porter's Five Forces
9. Discussion Prompt: 4.10- Is Porter's Five Forces Still Valid in Some Industries?
10. Video: 4.11- Summary

Graded: 4.6 Case Study- Rolls-Royce
Graded: 4.9 Quiz