International Business

Code:

2M3E23

Acronym:

IB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Economics of Business and Strategy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEEE	44	Syllabus	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

English

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with a solid knowledge of the International Business area, focusing on issues of firms’ internationalization, and strategy and impact of multinational firms, namely:

• Know key trends/patterns related to multinational enterprises (MNEs) and internationalization
• Master concepts and theories related to MNEs and internationalization
• Understand motivations for internationalization
• Identify strategic choices related to internationalization
• Understand the modern MNE and its impact
• Understand the regulatory framework underpinning FDI and respective institutions and policies.

Learning outcomes and competences

Learning outcomes:
The student should be able to:
- Identify the main concepts and main theories related to internationalization.
- Distinguish and evaluate internationalization strategies, identifying advantages and disadvantages;
- Analyze critically real internationalization cases;
- Identify the impacts arising from INternationalization and from MNEs' activities.

Competencies related to:
- Research in the field of International BUsiness
- Discussion of internationalization strategies
- Teamwork and consensus-building
- Consultancy in the area of internationalization.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. International Business: background concepts, trends and patterns.
II. Theories related to foreign direct investment (FDI) and to the activities of multinational enterprises (MNEs). Motivations and drivers for FDI and for international production.
III. Modes of entry and modes of establishment in foreign markets. Main strategic choices available (exports, contractual forms, and FDI): pros and cons, trade-offs and implications.
IV. The internationalization process. The Uppsala Model versus other approaches (Born Globals; Network Theory).
V. The modern multinational and its impact.
VI. FDI regulation and legal framework. Public policies and institutions related to FDI and MNEs.

Mandatory literature

Dunning, John e Lundan, Sarianna; Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-84720-122-5
Ietto-Gillies, Grazia; Transnational Corporations and International Production: Concepts, Theories and Effects, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005. ISBN: 1-84542-255-4
Vários; The Oxford Handbook of International Business, Rugman, Alan, 2009

Complementary Bibliography

Navaretti, Giorgio e Venables, Anthony; Multinational Firms and the World Economy, Princeton University Press, 2004
Forsgren, Mats; Theories of the multinational firm: A multidimensional creature in the global economy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-84844-586-4
Hill, Charles; International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, McGraw-Hill, 2007
Welch, Lawrence; Foreign operation methods: theory, analysis, strategy, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-84720-926-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Interactive sessions: the lecturer will present and discuss the course content, and it is highly encouraged that students will actively participate in the discussions, sharing their experiences and views on the topics under analysis.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	65,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	101,00

Eligibility for exams

The distributed evaluation requires minimum attendance: 75% of the classes taught, according to RAC.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation has 2 components, with the following weights:

(i) Test, representing 70% of the final marks (minimum marks: 8 on 20)

(ii) Written work (small groups, to be defined according to the size of the class): 30%

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who are exempt from classes attendance, according to article 11, number 3, of the RAC, will be required to prepare an extra piece of work, consisting of a two-page report, evaluating a research article provided by the lecturer.

Classification improvement

Only the Test component is subject to improvement in the Second Evaluation Period.

Observations

Students cannot pass this course based only on the final examination. All components of the evaluation process (including a written work) must be fulfilled.