Course description
Introduction
The course is designed to provide students with an expertise in international business economics. The course provides excellent analytical skills regarding the operation and management of modern business in a complex global environment.
The aim of the course is to equip students with the power of advocacy in presenting cases and advising key decision makers on complex and strategic business issues.
Course Content
The course consists of eight modules. Seven, including a project, make up the core; the eighth is an option. The course is studied over two semesters full-time and four semesters part-time.
Business Economics: The module studies the Fundamental Concepts for Business Decision Making, Nature of the Modern Business, Corporate Governance Issues, Pricing, Entry and Exit Issues, Investment and Financing Decisions and Multimarket Strategies.
International Economy: The module studies various theories of Trade and Finance, Trade Policies, International Finance, International Investment and Multinational Enterprise, Third World Debt and Restructuring, Economic Integration and the Role of International Financial Institutions
Economics of Global Financial Markets: The module studies International Capital Movements, Foreign Exchange Market, Short-term Borrowing and Investment Decisions, Balance of Payment and Exchange Rates, Macroeconomic Policies in Open Economy, International Financial Arrangements and International Capital Flows and Emerging Markets.
Economics of Innovation, Regulation and Competition: The module studies Industrial Market Structure and Economic Performance, Innovative Industries, Patent Protection and Technical Changes, Antitrust Laws and Competition Policy, Collusion and Predation, Merger and Merger Control, Regulation and Deregulation and Privatisation.
International Business Policy: The module studies Political, Economic and Social Environment of Global Business, International Competitive Strategy, Resource and Competence Appraisal, Human Resource Management, International Corporate Strategy, Strategic Options and Contemporary Issues in International Business Policy.
Analysis of Economic and Business Data: The module studies Univariate Statistical Inference, Correlation and Regression Analysis, Measuring Risks, Multi-Regression and Model Specification, Principles of Forecasting, Stationarity, Co-Integration and VAR, ARIMA and GARCH Models.
Project: Students will be allocated to a supervisor who will provide guidance and direction on a regular basis. Students are expected to choose a project topic with the agreement of their supervisor.
Option: Students can choose a module from the Westminster Business School’s large portfolio or anywhere else in the University.
Teaching and Assessment
The course adopts a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and workshops. Students will be expected to develop a high degree of competence in data handling analysis and problem solving, using appropriate computer software as required. Throughout the course, practical examples and case studies will be emphasised and student’s own experience in international business will be drawn upon where appropriate. Students will be required to attend special workshops on communication techniques, teamwork and presentation skills.
Additional Information
On the full-time mode, each module will comprise one semester of teaching, with three hours of contact each week and enrolment will be in September. Four modules will be offered in each semester and coursework in the form of a project will be submitted at the end of August.
On the part-time mode, two modules will be offered in each semester of teaching with three hours contact time each week.
Except for the project, modules may be taken in any order. Students will not however be allowed to enter for the project module until they have passed at least two other core modules.
