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MMD003: Economics of International Business

MMD003: Economics of International Business

Module code: MMD003

Module provider: International Business and Strategy; Henley Business School

Credits: 10

Level: Doctoral level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Mark Casson, email: m.c.casson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module examines the trade-offs that underlie key strategic decisions such as foreign market entry, outsourcing, off-shoring, location of headquarters, and investment in R&D. It links firm-level analysis to industry-level analysis. 

It shows how changes in strategy are driven by changes in the global business environment caused by globalisation, privatisation and market regulation. 

It explains what is involved in ‘thinking like an economist’, and shows how to ‘decode’ technical literature that would otherwise be difficult to understand. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to: 

  1. understand and use economic concepts in planning and executing a research proposal 
  2. understand how economic principles are used in International Business 

This module will also enhance students’ critical thinking and analytical skills. 

Module content

The course will be taught over 2 days. It will consist of 12 formal sessions. It is devoted to introduction to economics, key concepts in economics and their application to international business. 

 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will be encouraged to participate in classroom discussions. Topics of these will reflect current conceptual and empirical issues in the International Business. The course will consist of discussions in the classroom and interaction with the course instructor. 

Study hours

At least 14 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.


 Scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Lectures 15
Seminars
Tutorials
Project Supervision
Demonstrations
Practical classes and workshops
Supervised time in studio / workshop
Scheduled revision sessions
Feedback meetings with staff
Fieldwork
External visits
Work-based learning


 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions
Feedback meetings with staff
Other
Other (details)


 Placement and study abroad  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Placement
Study abroad

Please note that the hours listed above are for guidance purposes only.

 Independent study hours  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Independent study hours 85

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

50% pass mark - “Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.”   

Summative assessment

Type of assessment Detail of assessment % contribution towards module mark Size of assessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Essay 100 5000 words 25th February in the following semester Participants will submit a 5000 words assessed report on how they plan to incorporate relevant economic concepts in their own research. This report can be submitted at any time up to 25 February of the subsequent year, and the assessment process will be completed within one month of submission.

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

  • where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Type of reassessment Detail of reassessment % contribution towards module mark Size of reassessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Essay 100 5000 words 1st October in the same calendar year when the assignment was due. Essay resubmission by 1st October in the year when the assignment was due.

Additional costs

Item Additional information Cost
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Printing and binding
Required textbooks £900
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear
Specialist equipment or materials
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

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