SM9411 - Global Business Environment

Key concepts will be introduced in one-hour lectures and supported throughout with contemporary examples and where relevant embedded macroeconomic theory. Lectures will serve as key deliveries and explanations of the frameworks and theoretical issues. To support lecture materials directed reading will be used to introduce concepts and frameworks and illustrate how these can be applied to global and international business contexts and organisations. The use of documentary videos and current news stories will provide a contemporary dimension to the studies. All necessary materials will be available through the e-learning portal.

Seminars will encourage group work and the practice of research skills in two-hour sessions. All students will prepare and present their accomplished seminar tasks in the teaching sessions during the semester. Detailed seminar briefs with the explanation of the activities and preparation for each seminar will be available on the e-learning portal prior each seminar session. Students will work individually as well as in groups, where appropriate, in order to foster collaboration, team building skills and to increase students’ intercultural awareness. For more productive engagement with learning activities for some seminars students will work in teams arranged by their seminar tutors. Formative feedback on the results of their collaboration will be provided in each seminar by the seminar tutor.

The module will require both directed and independent learning. Directed learning will include a range of activities including pre-seminars reading and research, preparation for seminar activities, preparing for presentations etc. Guidance for these exercises will be given in classes, provided within this teaching and learning plan, and specific instruction related to a particular task will be communicated to students via the e-learning portal. Additional independent learning will also be encouraged and will include reading newspapers, business journals and watching relevant international documentaries to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of the subject.

Support will be provided to you by a member of academic staff leading the module and teaching team providing the lecture/seminars input. A team of academic staff are allocated seminars of about 20 students. These small-group seminars will provide a closer, more personal academic support. These seminar groups are typically based on study programme cohorts, so you will be taught here alongside fellow members from your particular degree.

This module is supported by an e-learning portal, which houses teaching and learning plan, lecture materials, seminar briefs, alongside with assessment details.

You will be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various academic textbooks, journal articles, business journals and relevant websites that showcase the application of knowledge acquired in the module.

The module assessment consists of several inter-related tasks which will be distributed throughout the teaching semester. The eLearning portal will be used to permanently host these tasks after release to ensure that you can access the information required at all times.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• An understanding of the impact of a diverse and changing macro international environment on the International organization, alongside the regulatory, political and economic frameworks that International organisations have to work within, including the 2030 sustainability goals (MLO1).
• Ability to appreciate the use of theory and model building in economics and the use of analytical tools to understand major macroeconomic problems facing a modern economy (MLO2).


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Identify the differing contexts in which international business operates from the perspective of different cultures (MLO3).

A student portfolio will cover 4 components:
3 components will cover each teaching block plus
1 integrated component.

Each component will be given 25%. These 4 components are collectively worth 100% of the mark for the module (25%x4=100%).

Working on your portfolio will encourage your active participation in the seminars throughout the semester.
Your tutors will give you formative feedback on the portfolio components during the seminars.

This together will address MLO1, MLO2 and MLO3

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This module takes, as its starting point, a global perspective with a focus on understanding the globalisation process, the global economy, and its impact on international business organisations. This module covers the core topics that are central to understanding the processes of the global economy and the economic environment within which business organisations operate. The module offers an essential knowledge base which will help you develop an understanding of the external business environment, in terms of institutions, markets, industries and organisations. This module will also introduce you to the world of economic analysis. It covers selected topics in both micro- and macroeconomics. During the course of the module you will have an opportunity to do research and analyse the internal and external factors affecting the business environment.