Course content

Globalization has arrived on the doorstep om many industries. This course combines the tools of strategic management with insights from international businesses. We put a lot of emphasis on multinationals from Nordic countries, and we also try to keep in mind the needs of small- and medium-sized firms, which only recently started internationalizing. The course provides a big picture approach and introduces the field of global strategic management. Global strategic analysis deals with the external macro environment, the industry environment, and the internal business environment. Global strategy development covers the internationalization process, international strategic alliances, and subsidiary- and headquarter-level strategy. Global strategy implementation focuses on structures and design of multinational firms, and global management of change. We will also discuss strategic innovation, knowledge management and corporate social responsibility.

Learning outcome

• Be able to analyse problems and issues within global business strategy, e.g., foreign market analysis, choice of entry modes, headquarter and subsidiary level strategies, global organizational structures, global innovation, and CSR
• Be able to advise a multinational firm on choosing an appropriate entry mode for internationalization
• Be able to create strategic plans for a multinational company
• Be able to apply theory to solve complex international business challenges
• Be able identify managerial challenges confronting multinational companies
• Be able participate in multicultural teams and deal with unstructured problems

Learning methods and activities

The course consist of a combination of lectures, casework, discussions and presentations. The course is designed as three-hour lectures, each with one main topic. In each session, a lecture is combined with discussions of the core literature or a case. All required readings should be completed before the actual lecture.

Further on evaluation

Students are evaluated through a project assignment that counts 40% of the total grade and a three-hour individual home exam that counts 60%. The project assignment should be solved in groups by 2-3 students. Both project assignment and exam must be passed in order to be given a grade.

Students are entitled to re-sit only the part of the examination in which they have had legitimate reasons for an absence or have failed. A re-sit examination will take place only during the designated period for re-sit examinations. Later exam will require that both exam elements must be repeated.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

As for the study programme.

Course materials

A selection of acknowledged articles derived from the fields of International Business and Strategic Management.

Credit reductions