Fundamentals of International Business

This course is part of Business and Marketing Strategies Specialization

Instructor: Mariya Eranova

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

132 reviews

97% of learners liked this course

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Prepare for a degree

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

132 reviews

97% of learners liked this course

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Prepare for a degree

Learn more

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Business and Marketing Strategies Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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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 minutes
Introduction to International Business3 minutes
Key topics and terms5 minutes
Audio - International business: Mariya’s story11 minutes
What do we mean by globalisation?5 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 minutes
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 23 minutes

Institutions and introduction to political systems5 minutes
Audio - Institutions in practice: Mariya’s story8 minutes
Audio – Avoiding cross-cultural frustrations: Mariya's story10 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.

What's included

2 videos5 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 6 minutes

MNEs – what, why and how 4 minutes
What did we learn and why it matters?2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 160 minutes

Activity – Reflecting on the history of MNEs20 minutes
Activity – MNEs in Switzerland50 minutes
Consequences of MNE activity15 minutes
MNEs and sustainability60 minutes
Activity – Responsible MNEs15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of MOOC summative assessment30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 45 minutes

Attracting MNEs15 minutes
Activity – MNEs and responsibility30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(20 ratings)

Mariya Eranova

University of London

4 Courses19,210 learners

Offered by

University of London

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Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024

The course is full of resources to utilize for learning and understanding the concepts.

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024

With sufficient examples and well-structured online training materials provide me a helicopter view in international business.

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