MN5003 International Business and Emerging Markets

Indicative module guide 2024-2025

Module type and semester

Core (20 credits), Semester 2

Module coordinator

Dr Mahmoud Khalik

Module lecturer(s) and office hours

Dr Khalik: mafak@st-andrews.ac.uk

Office Hours (In-person or by TEAMS): Mondays 3pm-5pm (by appointment)

Aim

The module examines the rising economic powers and their emergence as key players in global politics and the economy. This module will enhance understanding of emerging markets and National Innovation Systems (NIS) in newly industrialised countries, and also examine emerging markets in various regions across the globe. The module will use a range of theoretical lenses – both established and newly developed – to explore how emerging market firms internationalise, catch up, and compete with established western multinationals. The module covers innovation and family firms from emerging markets, trade, FDI and corruption, and the module looks at innovative ways to alleviate poverty, focusing on how profitability can be achieved in an ethical and sustainable manner, benefiting both businesses and their stakeholders.

Method of teaching and learning

Week 1 to week 5 will involve 4 IB lectures and seminars. There will be an online IB quiz in week 6, which is after the Spring Vacation Week.

Week 7 to week 9 will involve 3 IB lectures and seminars. There will be an online IB quiz in week 11, which is after Independent Learning week.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • critically evaluate a range of International business issues confronting MNEs, SMEs and Family firms. This will develop students' skills when working for international institutions such as the World Bank and OECD.
  • critically analyse real life case studies on various topics that are covered in the curriculum, which is necessary when working for international organisations and consultancy firms
  • work within diverse teams and manage group projects, which is essential in many international organisations
  • creatively and strategically know how to advise companies on their international entry mode and marketing strategy in emerging markets (EMs), which is essential when working for international organisations seeking growth in rapidly growing markets
  • understand, apply, appreciate and question existing international business theories when they are applied to real life examples, which is essential for critical thinking and other academic assignments, such as dissertations.

Indicative topic outline

The module will cover a variety of critical issues that will encourage students to analyse, challenge, evaluate and research key IB topics. Indicative topics comprise of:

  • complexity and problem solving
  • understanding how enterprises operate in the global economy
  • theoretical issues in IB
  • understanding how and why organisations behave the way they do.

Teaching structure

Week 1

Introduction. Globalisation and the Rise of Emerging Markets

Week 2

National Innovation Systems (NIS) and Emerging Markets

Week 3

Firm Internationalisation: Developed Countries and Emerging Markets

Week 4

Innovation in Family Business: Developed Countries and Emerging Markets

Week 5

The Base of the Pyramid: Alleviating poverty through profits

[Spring Vacation Week]

Week 6

IB quiz at 2pm to 2:40pm

Week 7

Formal and Informal Lending to BoP Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

Week 8

Trade, FDI and Corruption in Emerging Markets.

Week 9

Assessing Emerging Markets, Entry Modes and Global Marketing with Group Presentations Session: Guidance, FAQs and Q and A.

Week 10

Independent Learning Week

Week11

IB quiz at 2pm to 2:40pm

Week 12

Group Presentations

Presentations and Q and A session in week 12: More information will be provided during the module.

Assessment

There are four assessed elements:

  • IB quiz 1 worth (15%)
  • IB quiz 2 worth (15%)
  • a 15 minute group presentation in week 12 worth (30%)
  • one critical essay question at the end of the semester worth (40%).

General reading list

As an ongoing task you should read reliable sources like the Economist, the Guardian, and the Financial Times regularly, as well as books to aid your understanding of how the world comes to be the way it is and how you might respond to that world. Each lecture topic in the module will be uploaded on Moodle: Presentation slides, Reading lists, and Tutorial material.

26 October 2024