This course reviews and evaluates the many ways that businesses can engage in international commerce. First presented are the three decisions that any business needs to make to go global, including a model for country selection. Next, modes of exporting and importing are discussed, followed by a review of contract modes of entry such as licensing and franchising, and then foreign direct investment strategies such as joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. The course concludes with a personal look at going global, including deciding to go, preparing to go, working and living abroad, and the challenges of coming home.
International Business Venturing Abroad
International Business Venturing Abroad
This course is part of International Business Specialization
Instructor: Stephen R. Lawrence
3,902 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8
(70 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
11 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Analyze the information needed to make going abroad decisions including timing, country selection, and mode of entry.
Critique the advantages and disadvantages of exporting and evaluate exporting compared to other country entry modes.
Critique the advantages/disadvantages of direct country entry and use this information to select the best entry mode for a given situation.
Anticipate the challenges of working and living abroad and apply known methods of mitigating those challenges.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
5 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the International Business Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 5 modules in this course
This first module reviews international foreign country entry strategies. In the first lesson, we ask the question “Should we go global?” and discuss the factors for making this decision. Assuming the answer is “yes,” we then review the three basic entry decisions that must be addressed - entry timing, country selection, and entry strategy. The module concludes with a discussion of entry timing, and an extended discussion of country selection using the PESTEL model as a tool to assist with making the final decision.
What's included
9 videos7 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
In this module, we discuss exporting into a foreign market. First described is the relationship between exporting and importing, followed by the steps required for successful exporting. Then three alternative types of exporting are compared: direct exporting, indirect exporting with intermediaries, and piggyback exporting. The module concludes with a discussion of successful importing, which is essentially a mirror image of successful exporting.
What's included
6 videos3 readings1 assignment
In this module we explore methods of direct foreign-country entry including both contractual entry methods and foreign direct investment. Contractual methods include licensing, franchising, outsourcing, management contracts, and turnkey projects where a firm has an arms-length relationship with a foreign company. With foreign direct investment, a firm takes an active ownership position with a foreign firm. Methods of foreign direct investment (abbreviated as FDI) are joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and Greenfield investment.
What's included
9 videos4 readings1 assignment
In this final module, we examine the personal side of international business with a discussion of working and living abroad as an expatriate (expat). We first describe the characteristics of successful expats contrasted with those you are less successful. We then review the many steps needed to prepare for living abroad along with necessary precautions. Next, we discuss life abroad as an expatriate including a description of how to cope with culture shock. And finally, we discuss the challenges of returning home after a long assignment abroad. We conclude with a brief discussion of “is it worth it?” The provisional answer is “Yes!”
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
"Operating Abroad" course exam
What's included
1 assignment
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.7 (17 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Business Essentials
Fundação Instituto de Administração
London Business School
Macquarie University
University of Pennsylvania
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.8
70 reviews
- 5 stars
84.28%
- 4 stars
8.57%
- 3 stars
7.14%
- 2 stars
0%
- 1 star
0%
Showing 3 of 70
PC
5
Reviewed on Apr 12, 2021
It was a great learning experience and very much useful course, IB students go for it must recommended.
New to Business Essentials? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.