Study Guide

Objective

The student understands company internationalization from theoretical and practical perspectives, barriers and supportive factors for internationalization, internationalization strategies, location choices and modes of entry. The student recognizes different strategic options of the company to enter the foreign markets and understands how to conduct a country analysis by using PEST or a similar analytical framework.

Content

Reasons for companies to internationalise
Barriers and supportive factors in internationalisation
Prerequisites for successful internationalisation/globalisation
Internationalisation processes of firms
Market entry strategies (export entry modes, FDIs, contractual entry modes, projects)
International business strategy (global, transnational, multidomestic, international)
Target market screening, selection and market size assessment
Macro environment analysis or PEST analysis

Location and time

Autumn semester 2023. Lectures according to schedule. Vaasa Campus.

Materials

- Griffin, Ricky W. & Pustay, Michael W. (2020). International Business: A Managerial Perspective. 9th edition (or older). Harlow : Pearson Education.
- Articles and other material provided by the teacher.

Teaching methods

The objective of the course is that the student understands company internationalization from theoretical and practical perspectives, barriers and supportive factors for internationalization, internationalization strategies, location choices and modes of entry. The teaching methods to meet the objective are lectures, guest lectures, group and individual assignments and an exam.

Student workload

Total workload of the course: 135 h
-Of which scheduled studies 40 h
-Of which autonomous studies: 95 h

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1 Student understands the concept of internationalization and has the ability to work independent and in a group.

The specific criteria and emphasis for evaluating the assignment or a case company report are:
–Knowledge 40 %: Understanding and using various sources of information, Relevance of information.
–Discussion 40 %: Reasoning and argumentation, Practical suggestions, Own thinking.
–Sources/style 20 %: Referencing and citations within text marked, style of writing and overall quality.
To fail means that the report does not show sufficient use of information and analysis of the case or text is directly copied without marking the references.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Student understands the concept of internationalization and can adapt it into a case example. Student can search information, work successfully independent and in a group, utilize some web tools and report own learning process.

The specific criteria and emphasis for evaluating the assignment or a case company report are:
–Knowledge 40 %: Understanding and using various sources of information, Relevance of information.
–Discussion 40 %: Reasoning and argumentation, Practical suggestions, Own thinking.
–Sources/style 20 %: Referencing and citations within text marked, style of writing and overall quality.
To fail means that the report does not show sufficient use of information and analysis of the case or text is directly copied without marking the references.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 Student understands deeply the concept of internationalization and its parameters and can utilize it innovatively in a case example. Student can work fluently independent and in a group, utilize several different web tools and reflect own learning process.

The specific criteria and emphasis for evaluating the assignment or a case company report are:
–Knowledge 40 %: Understanding and using various sources of information, Relevance of information.
–Discussion 40 %: Reasoning and argumentation, Practical suggestions, Own thinking.
–Sources/style 20 %: Referencing and citations within text marked, style of writing and overall quality.
To fail means that the report does not show sufficient use of information and analysis of the case or text is directly copied without marking the references.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Fail: The criteria for grade 1-2 are not met.

Assessment methods and criteria

Grading system (numerical 1-5):
- 5: The student understands deeply the concept of internationalization and its parameters and can utilize it innovatively in case examples. The student can work fluently in a group and reflect insightfully on the own learning process.
- 3-4: The student understands the concept of internationalization and can adapt it into case examples. The student can work successfully in a group and report the own learning process.
- 1-2: The student understands the concept of internationalization and has the ability to work in a group.
- 0: Fail in examination and no participation and submissions in assignments.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail in examination and no participation and submissions in assignments

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student understands the concept of internationalization and has the ability to work in a group.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student understands the concept of internationalization and can adapt it into case examples. The student can work successfully in a group and report the own learning process.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student understands deeply the concept of internationalization and its parameters and can utilize it innovatively in case examples. The student can work fluently in a group and reflect insightfully on the own learning process.

Qualifications

International Business Activities