Fundamentals of International Business

This course is part of Business and Marketing Strategies Specialization

Instructor: Mariya Eranova

Skills you'll gain

Leadership and Management

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Assessments

3 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Studying international business is essential for everyone who wants to be a well-rounded modern individual. Understanding the main features of the international business environment, mechanisms of cross-border business activities, and motivations to engage in these activities, will help you to make sense of contemporary business context and navigate yourself in our complex world.

This MOOC provides essential knowledge about international business, its key actors and recent trends. It combines relevant theoretical frameworks with contemporary business cases and practitioner-oriented learning materials. Students will be able to familiarise themselves with such concepts as globalization, internationalisation, multinationals and institutions, and see how they relate to each other, as well as draw implications to current business practices.

This week introduces the subject of international business, the key terms that we will use throughout this MOOC and the topics that will be discussed each week. It also provides an overview of one of the main concepts in international business – globalisation.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 26 minutes

Welcome to the Fundamentals of International Business MOOC!2 minutesPreview module
Introduction to International Business2 minutes
Key topics and terms5 minutes
Audio - International business: Mariya’s story11 minutes
What do we mean by globalisation?4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 115 minutes

Activity – Start your study journal15 minutes
Why study international business?40 minutes
Is globalisation a good or a bad thing?60 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Check your understanding – Week 110 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

Gaining success internationally45 minutes
Reflecting on globalisation15 minutes

This week discusses how and why firms internationalise. We will look at one of the main manifestations of globalisation -- foreign direct investment (FDI) and compare it with other methods of internationalisation.

What's included

2 videos7 readings1 peer review

2 videosTotal 8 minutes

Internationalisation – what is it?2 minutesPreview module
How do firms internationalise?6 minutes

7 readingsTotal 170 minutes

Activity – Reflecting on internationalisation motives30 minutes
Activity – Samsung’s story30 minutes
Samsung’s story – teacher's note5 minutes
FDI terminology10 minutes
Activity – Huawei’s investments60 minutes
Huawei’s investments – teacher's note5 minutes
The pandemic effect on internationalisation30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 180 minutes

Evaluating the attractiveness of a country for FDI 180 minutes

This week introduces the concept of institutions and how they influence cross-border activities. It offers insights into the main differences in political, and cultural systems across the globe.

What's included

3 videos6 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 22 minutes

Institutions and introduction to political systems4 minutesPreview module
Audio - Institutions in practice: Mariya’s story8 minutes
Audio – Avoiding cross-cultural frustrations: Mariya's story9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 200 minutes

Activity – Investing in Uzbekistan15 minutes
Investing in Uzbekistan – teacher’s note 5 minutes
Activity – Reflecting on political risks15 minutes
Challenges of digital firms in foreign markets30 minutes
Activity – Learning from failure45 minutes
Cultural distance and firm internationalisation90 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Check your understanding – Week 310 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 125 minutes

Activity – A tale of two political systems25 minutes
Activity – Culture and business25 minutes
Activity – Introducing your culture75 minutes

The purpose of this week is to deepen your knowledge of multinational enterprises. It will provide more insights regarding the context of their operations, main choices faced by multinationals, and the main impacts they have on the society and environment.