ObjectivesThe main aims and objectives of the programme are: - To help students understand and explain key concepts in international business and entrepreneurship with reference to different approaches to foreign market entry and expansion and the critical assessment of each approach in relation to the leadership and culture of the entrepreneurial organization as well as the culture abroad; - To help students in developing critical analytical, problem-solving, creative and learning skills, and a critical awareness of the constituent elements of the study and practice of international business and entrepreneurship; - To help students develop a critical awareness of the international business context and entrepreneurship within this context, the processes of internationalization, and the content of international business strategies, and provide them with the tools to apply this knowledge to prepare an international business plan; - To equip students with a thorough understanding of the value of entrepreneurship research and appropriate skills in research techniques for effective problem solving, in-depth investigation of key issues and how these key issues apply in the international business context. - To prepare students for careers as entrepreneurs, as owner-managers, policy makers in support services, and entrepreneurial management in different types of organisations with a specific interest in international business; - To help students to manage their own learning and personal development in the future; and to enable them to become part of a learning, innovative and entrepreneurial community; - To help students develop a theoretical understanding for and appreciation of why, how and where international business activities occur; - To help students apply their knowledge of research to the writing of either a traditional dissertation or a comprehensive business plan, both of which will demand critical insights into the topic and the application of research methods.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications 2.1 or equivalent; IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 240/580
Academic titleMSc International Business and Entrepreneurship
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in International Business and Entrepreneurship is concerned with critical aspects of business formation and development across international borders. It covers a highly topical area of business studies through a critical examination of different types of international business activity, underpinning theories and innovative approaches to new business creation in different cultural and economic contexts.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN
Compulsory: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
Compulsory: ENTREPRENEURSHIP POLICY, CULTURE, AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Compulsory: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Compulsory: THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Compulsory: THEORIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Core: TYPES AND PROCESSES OF INTERNATIONALISATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DISSERTATION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Ideas, theory and practice of new venture creation and entrepreneurship processes and their application in various organisational scenarios (key focus on small and medium sized enterprises)
A2 : The value of entrepreneurship research and application in different private, public and community contexts;
A3 : In-depth and critical understanding of key issues in the international business environment including economic, political, legal, technological and socio-cultural factors
A4 : Epistemological issues and in-depth and critical understanding of types and processes of internationalization; international business strategies;
A5 : In-depth and critical understanding of the leadership of international business ventures, and management of cross-cultural issues arising in marketing, finance and human resource management.
A6 : In-depth and critical understanding of the research process and the application of a range of research techniques.
A7 : Development of critical theoretical appreciation of 'how', 'why' and 'where' international business activities occur, and the practical application of these activities into an international business plan or dissertation.
Directed pre-reading and writing tasks on different aspects of entrepreneurship; lectures;
Discussions with tutors and supervisors on the values, principles and applications of entrepreneurship theory and practice.
Directed self-study, observation and reflection of practice; comparative case work in workshops and the classroom; consultation with library materials, projects with small and medium sized enterprises, public agencies, and entrepreneurial firms with a portfolio of international business activities; presentations of findings related to models, strategies and good practice; examination of critical topics.
Informal assessment will be made through group work and oral presentations. Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills.
Applies to (A) 6 only
Self-directed study with supervision.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods
Learning outcomes (1) - (6) are formally assessed by course work assignments and written examinations. Learning outcomes (2), (6) and (7) are assessed by the dissertation or comprehensive international business plan.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Identify, design, develop, create, codify, synthesise, and critically review/analyse theoretical and practical arguments on entrepreneurial opportunities, strategies, and tools for new ventures and public policy for new venture creation, in particular contexts and for different purposes.
B2 : Identify, develop and critically review theories of international business
B3 : Construction and use of appropriate methodologies and problem-centred/solution focused learning methods in the new venture and international business contexts
B4 : Assimilation and acquisition of skills in preparation for developing a comprehensive international business plan or a dissertation.
B5 : Carrying out independent research and formulating coherent and cogent arguments
Teaching Methods
Applies to (B) 1 - 4 inclusive
Lectures; workshop exercises, preparation of individual and team-based assignments, presentations of assignments to academic and practitioner panels; peer group work; final examination.
Recommended directed reading, networking with external communities of practice, peer groups, practitioners; reference to public and private fora.
Development of learning logs from the beginning of the course.
Lectures and directed self-study for the identification of different research paradigms, techniques and methods used in traditional dissertation, and those which can be used to inform and support practical business planning scenarios.
Informal assessment will consist of group work and oral presentations. Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills.
Applies to (B) 5 only
Self-directed study with supervision.
Assessment Methods
Learning outcomes (1) and (4) are formally assessed by course work assignments and written examinations. The dissertation or comprehensive business plan provides a further opportunity to assess (3) and (5). The presentation will conform to the University's policy on oral assessment.
20% of the marks for the dissertation/comprehensive business plan will be awarded for a presentation on the dissertation thesis/business plan. This will be presented to the MSc group and the panel of external advisers.
The assessment of the traditional dissertation will encompass examination and evaluation of the student's knowledge of research philosophy and methods in exploring a specific topic. The comprehensive business plan will seek to examine a similar range of research skills as they apply to the international expansion of a business proposition.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Compare and contrast different theoretical and practical approaches to entrepreneurship and enterprise development in different types of organisations
C2 : Understand and appreciate features of the international business context, and describe and critique these features in relation to the study of entrepreneurship
C3 : Lay the detailed, analytical ground work for the development of an international business plan.
C4 : Development of practical plans for independent research in the form of either a dissertation or comprehensive international business plan.
Teaching Methods
Applies to (C) 1- 3 inclusive
Direct reading, lectures; review with practitioner advisory group; networking with peers; reference to public and private fora, the International Entrepreneurship Forum; on-line discussions; formation of teams linked to small and medium sized enterprises and other organisations; international visits and activities; workshops; discussions with tutors and supervisors; projects; maintenance of learning logs.
Routine classwork, management of self-learning, group work and interactions with experts will provide an informal means for assessment of the practical skills acquired by the students.
Applies to (C) 3 only
Self-directed study with supervision
Assessment Methods
Learning Outcomes (1) - (3) are formally assessed by course work assignments, written examinations, and the presentation of individual and group work. Learning outcome (4) is assessed by the completion of a dissertation or a comprehensive international business plan.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Oral and written communication to different audiences in a coherent, cogent and effective manner.
D2 : Use of information technologies including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical and web-based packages to read, download, analyse and evaluate different types of data and information
D3 : Use and manipulate different types of numerical data, solve mathematically based problems, apply and interpret statistical data
D4 : Use and application of analytical, morphological and other creative problem skills
D5 : Understanding and appreciation of different communities of interest, good spoken and written communication skills, empathy and resolution of conflict.
D6 : Work as project management, including time management, critical task prioritisation, meeting deadlines, evaluating self- learning.
Teaching Methods
Applies to (D) 1 - 6 inclusive
Key projects on different aspects of entrepreneurship as per assignments; support and evaluation of supervisors and practitioner panel (including their feedback); links with the external platforms, such as OECD Trento Centre for Entrepreneurship, International Entrepreneurship Forum, i.10; maintenance of learning log.
Communication in the classroom, written assignments, group work, interactions with external and internal providers and experts, and use of information should provide for the means of assessing the range of key skills.
Assessment Methods
Learning outcomes (1), (3) and (4) will be assessed by presentations of individual and group work.
A variety of written coursework assignments and written examinations will assess (2).