International Business BA (Hons): XJTLU 2+2 programme

As the digital landscape evolves globally, widespread use of digital data is reshaping businesses, guiding research, and influencing policies. We have witnessed businesses harnessing ‘big data’ to counter the effects of COVID-19 on their supply chains, the utilization of satellite imagery with ‘deep learning’ to pinpoint areas of extreme poverty, and the deployment of mobile data to track disease outbreaks like malaria and Ebola. Moreover, social media analytics have played pivotal roles in improving disaster responses. As the world progresses towards a digital-intensive era, it is important for students to possess the necessary data analytical skills allowing them to engage with groundbreaking academic research and policy developments in international business. This module aims to acquaint students with the opportunities and challenges that participate to data-driven approaches in international business and equip them with the skills that will enable them to harness modern technological tools with the view to become future global business trailblazers.

This module is designed to challenge students to think about the nature of modern business behaviour, its role and contribution to society, and the ways in which such behaviour can be understood, especially from moral and ethical perspectives. Over a series of formal lectures, students are introduced to a range of key critical thinkers from ethics, philosophy, economics and management studies. Our explorations are also constantly related to real-life examples. The module is taught via formal lectures and seminars and is assessed by an unseen online open book examination and an individual assignment.         

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the intertwined concepts of capitalism and international development in the global economy. The module is divided into 2 parts; (1) international development of developed economies and (2) international development of developing and emerging economies. Capitalism has played a significant role in international development- however, this has generated positive and negative effects. On one hand, we see how capitalism has led to substantial economic growth and better standards of life in countries that are now developed. On the other hand, capitalism is also associated with the increase in inequality and other societal and environmental issues.

The module will enable an in-depth analysis of the central issues associated with the economics and policies of international development and will provide an insight into problems, challenges and recent trends in international development as well as i dentify future policy directions.

This module delivers an outlook of issues of international finance, such as parity conditions, currency exposures/management and international capital markets; especially focusing on the financial management of multinationals. The groundwork is based on fundamentals of finance which provides an introduction to the core principles of finance, valuation and financial decision-making, within the domestic setting and then expands to the international setting.

In a globalised world, companies of all kinds are no longer limited to producing and selling their goods and services in domestic markets. They explore global markets and operate across national borders. What challenges do companies face as they operate in multiple nation-states? How are they different from the domestic companies? How can multinational companies (MNCs) be managed effectively in order to stay competitive in the global market? This module aims to produce the knowledge and skills for students to address these questions. The module is structured into three parts. The first part discusses globalisation and MNCs, providing an overview of the changing landscape of the global economy. The second part focuses on the challenges that faced by MNCs with an analysis on the complex and often conflicting external environmental factors that shape the strategy and management of MNCs. The third part discusses how MNCs manage these challenges, exploring different strategies and practices that managers could consider in managing operation, talents and knowledge across borders.

This module gives an overview of some very basic economic principles as it applies to the firm and its environment. It equips the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and evaluate internal and external factors that influence the strategic decisions made by the firms. This includes the analysis of the nature and behaviour of firms in international markets. It is designed for non-economists such as Business Studies students . Explanations are sometimes based on very basic diagrams and students are expected to have GCSE level maths.

This module provides an overview of what workforce equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are and their relevance and usefulness in improving the understanding and management of people at work. Today’s workplace is changing due to a number of factors including an ageing population and increases in the number of women and ethnic minorities. As a result, there is a need to effectively understand and manage EDI in organisations in order to create an inclusive workplace that meets organisational outcomes. A number of issues that managers of a diverse workforce face are explored. In particular, issues such as gender, age, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation and intersectional identities are discussed. Two key approaches towards EDI are reviewed: the social justice case and the business benefits case. The module also explores a range of EDI related concepts and topics such as social identity, stereotyping and discrimination. It also considers the protected rights of employees covered by UK legislation as well as international legislative drives and policies.
Successful students will develop their understanding of the field of EDI and their own personal position within it. They will also inform their practice as future managers from both research and practitioner perspectives.

The aim of this module is to develop awareness of the distinctive nature of the business environment within and around the European Union (EU). Students who complete this module will have an improved understanding of the role of the EU in relation to business. The key political and legal institutions and actors responsible for the formulation of policies that influence business practice in Europe will be examined and core academic debates about the form and function of the EU will be reviewed. The students will also be introduced to economic integration and the operation of the EU single market. In the second half of the module, we will explore specific EU business-related activities. There will be a case study of the UK’s EU membership.         

The core roles of government in relation to business are identified and evaluated and significant changes discussed. The module also explores the nature of the relationship between government and business, for example in terms of neo-corporatist structures and the role of business as an actor in the governmental process. These issues are also placed firmly within a wide-ranging international context and examples are drawn from a wide variety of countries. The module is assessed through an assignment and an unseen exam. Successful students will acquire an appreciation of the interactions between government and business, develop a strong critical awareness and be able to apply the general debates to a wide range of specific examples.

Identity and culture are two very important phenomena in organisations. They help explain why organisations look and feel the way they do. They also help us understand why people in organisations often ignore and/or resist rational models and techniques; how these affect the ways employees see their identity at work and their sense of wellbeing; and how identity and cultural management at sectoral, occupational and organizational levels impact workers’ sense of self. Students on this module are encouraged to investigate culture and identity in relation to wellbeing in contemporary films, fictional narratives and social media, as well as in the academic literature.

Innovation and entrepreneurship draw together key themes relating to the development of new products, new processes and new organisations in the business environment. Innovation is strategic when it is consistent with a corporation’s mission, vision and values and is created to enhancing the strategic positioning and/or competitiveness of organisations. This module deals with the principles underpinning innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of a global business environment.
In this module students will gain a deep understanding of the role of strategic innovation activities in various organisational settings as a tool to developing a longer-term entrepreneurial culture. It will focus on comparing methods of best practice for entrepreneurial innovation developments and how these are utilised in practice using case studies and simulated examples.
The module draws on both theory and practice from a range of sub-disciplines and areas of study, including examples of innovation within large public and private sector organisations as well as smaller technology-based organisations both local and international.
Whilst the module provides theoretical insight into innovation and entrepreneurship, students will also be encouraged to identify best practices in the management of innovation and entrepreneurship in organisations.

This course is designed to give students awareness of the legal scope and character of the ways in which business is regulated in a global economy. As markets open up, supply chains become global, and business thereby becomes cross border in character, ethical considerations become significant, and the effective regulation of that business can become a serious challenge, both for regulators and the parties to that business. As a result, international business regulation has become a complex, ever-changing, and constantly evolving institutional environment, both at the national level, and the transnational. It covers a many legal fields, and affects multiple aspects of business organisation and operation. It impacts significantly on consumers and businesses, but also has profound implications for regulators – that is policy-makers, legislators and enforcement agencies, and the challenges of regulating corporate behaviour.

This module seeks to introduce students to the theoretical perspectives, roles, and practical activities associated with the management of people and the Human Resources function in organisations. This case focused module will develop your ability to apply these newly acquired theories and frameworks to generate solutions to ‘real world’ Human Resources issues and challenges.

This module seeks to highlight the role of, and need for, market research in supporting marketing decision-making. It involves a range of teaching strategies built around online learning activities (e.g., videos) and case studies. Additional material will be in the form of web-based reading and research, selected texts, journal articles and contemporary magazine and press articles. It is assessed through two pieces of coursework. The coursework involves a group desk research infographic and the completion of a group project which is designed to put market research techniques into practice.

This module aims to provide undergraduate international business students a broad overview of the core concepts in technology and innovation management, the dominant theories in it, innovation and technology management tools and frameworks that are employed by organisa-tions, international standards on innovation, ethical technology management practices and fi-nally practical evidences of the same. With the aid of lectures and experiential learning orient-ed seminars, the module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the current international innovation and technology management practices and a critical perspective in evaluating the innovation and technology management frameworks. The module prepares international business students for a career in international business with organisational roles related to new product development and the strategic management of technology, knowledge, and innovation.

This is an optional module focusing on the business environment in emerging markets. MNEs based in these countries will also be discussed.

This module gives students an up-to-date coverage of global strategy and hands-on experience putting theory into practice. It sets new approaches such as institutional analysis alongside more traditional approaches based in economics and management. It also gives considerable attention to competition in and from emerging economies. At the end of the module, students are able to critically analyse the challenges and opportunities that a multinational enterprise (MNE) faces and the context in which these organizations make decisions. Assessment is through an individual report submitted at the end of the module.

This module provides a detailed coverage of the nature and determinants of the pattern of world trade and financial, capital and labour flows. The module also aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of why conflicts arise between nations due to international economic activity and what policy options are most appropriate for countries both individually and cooperatively to adopt. Throughout the module emphasis is placed upon the role of theory in enhancing understanding of the key issues in international economic relations.

The module gives an overview of the subject from the perspective of principles and practice. The first part of the module provides an overview of perspectives and explains the centrality of strategic purpose. The second part is about strategic analysis and covers strategic objectives, and the analysis of the external and internal environments. The third part covers business, corporate, and global levels of strategy. Finally, the module explains implementation: covering strategic actions and performance management.

Business Analytics comprises the use of quantitative techniques, mathematical and computer-based models, and statistical analysis in combination with data and information technologies to support making better decisions in business environments and for gaining improved insight into business operations. The module provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and tools of Business Analytics and an understanding of using data in combination with analytical techniques to support making better decisions in business environments. The module is designed around the use of descriptive, predictive and prescriptive techniques with relevance to practical applications.

The module covers the history and development of corporate governance, and the key principles and systems that underpin corporate governance today. It also provides the opportunity to assess the practical application of corporate governance systems across major international organisations based on UK regulation.

The purpose of this module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of management in a critical context. The module draws on a broad range of critical social science theory that questions received wisdom on management and the view that management is a purely ‘neutral’ technical-rational practice. The module challenges this view by looking at issues of performativity, and the ideology and politics of work organization and management practice from a range of critical perspectives. It traces the history and development of management as power, control and domination in organizations from its origins through industrialization to its current post-industrial/ postmodern setting.

The independent study module is an individual piece of work, related to the specialist element within the International Business programme, undertaken by the student with supervisor support on an individual basis.

The independent study module (i.e Dissertation) is an individual piece of work, related to the specialist element within the International Business programme, undertaken by the student with supervisor support on an individual basis.

An understanding of international marketing is crucial in today’s increasingly international marketplace. International marketing activities must be planned, coordinated and integrated whilst recognising the need to understand the complexity of international environment when devising a strategy for market selection, market entry, and marketing mix. Graduates will often interact with international clients and therefore, this module aims to address the importance of having an international marketing understanding. It examines how a firm internationalises the marketing function, looking in detail at how to design and implement an international marketing plan including identifying the need for internationalisation, conducting global market research, selecting the international market, choosing effective entry modes, planning marketing mix in the target market, and coordinating global marketing program.

The module introduces students to core theories and current issues and developments concerning knowledge management with the aim of fostering innovation. Students will learn how to analyse and critically evaluate the subject matter and apply it to diverse organisational environments.   

​The module builds on previous marketing related modules but as the title implies encourages students to think strategically about marketing in practical terms and in a theoretical context.  Students will be assessed by individual assignment where they are required to implement a strategic marketing plan for a real life company. 

All decisions involving uncertainty run the risk of failure. This module examines why people and organizations sometimes make unwise decisions and how to make better decisions.

The aim of this module is to develop and enhance students’ critical understanding of the key issues surrounding the contemporary football sector. Students will develop a critical understanding of how economics, finance, marketing and other business and management disciplines can be used to analyse features of the football business sector. Furthermore, various concepts and theories from the aforementioned disciplines will be used to analyse critically decision-making within the sector. Where appropriate alternative outcomes will be considered that might improve efficiency and effectiveness within the sector.