Management with International Business with a Year in Business

Core Modules

Year 1

• Management First

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the academic skills that are both transferable and of value to employers. You will consider how employability skills can be developed throughout your undergraduate studies, and identify the kinds of experiences that you can benefit from beyond the classroom. You will also examine contemporary issues in management and reflect on how you can become a more effective learner.

• Quantitative Methods

  In this module you will develop an understanding of quantitative studies and how they are employed in Management and Economics. You will look at how quantitative studies relate to differences, associations and relationships in groups and populations, and examine a range of statistical techniques.

• Interpreting Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of key management concepts, theories and practices. You will learn about the development and shifting of key paradigms in management, and how management knowledge can be regarded as a social construct. You will also consider how you can enhance your employability through skills in critical analysis.

• International Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the formal economic, political and legal institutions, as well as cultural, religious, and linguistic differences that must be taken into account when conducting business across borders. You will look at how the global context in which companies operate has evolved over time, considering the role of foreign direct investment and internationalisation strategies. You will examine the motivations for entering a foreign market, the factors determining whether a company enters on their own or in partnership, the risks of entry and how they are analysed, and how companies negotiate with governments.

• Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of accounting, examining its role in organisations and society. You will consider the basic components of financial statements, including income statement, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, and the procedures and techniques for the preparation of these. You will also look at the principles of financial decision making and how to analyse accounting information

• Foundations in Digital Enterprise

  In this module you will develop an understanding of information systems and how they have become the backbone of contemporary businesses. You will consider how they are used by business managers as a tool for achieving operational excellence, developing new products and services, improving decision making, and achieving competitive advantage. You will also examine the broader organisational, human and information technology dimensions of information systems and how they can be used to provide solutions to challenges and problems in the business environment.

• Organisation Studies

  In this module you will develop an understanding of organisation as a process and the organisation as an entity. You will look at key managerial activities, examining classical ideas about organisation with the context of nationalisation and humanisation. You will see how these ideas reappear, albeit in a modified form, in contemporary organisations, looking at organisational forms and modern management techniques such as culture management, emotional labour, and charismatic leadership. You will also consider Max Weber’s distinction of formal and substantive rationality and Anthony Giddens’ formulation of the duality of action and structure.

• Academic Integrity

  This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.

   

Year 2

• Strategic Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the theories of strategic management. You will consider these theories in the context of contemporary business operations, including the political and regulatory frameworks, in response to technological change, financialisation, the development of new business models, and changes in the way corporate performance is assessed. You will look at key concepts and debates in the theory of corporate and business strategy, and examine the changing context in which corporate strategy is formulated and implemented.

• Marketing Strategy in Context

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the marketing strategies used by organisations. You will look at the elements of the marketing mix and their critical interrelationships, examining the competitive environment, customer insights, market information systems, business models, enterprise competencies, control, evaluation and innovation. You will also consider the sustainability of marketing practices in an increasingly globalised consumer society.

• Managerial Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the technical and non-technical aspects of management accounting. You will look at traditional costing methods and techniques, such as contribution volume profit analysis (CVP), budgeting, responsibility accounting, transfer pricing, and decision-making, alongside more innovative management tools, including activity based costing (ABC), activity based management (ABM), and the balanced scorecard. You will examine the issues underlying pricing and product offering and consider the importance of quality and cost control as strategic objectives for improving organisational performance.

• Operations Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the design, planning and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. You will look at the tools and techniques used in the development of operational systems and the factors that affect the choice of operating methods. You will consider approaches to the planning cycle, inventory management, and production control techniques, including capacity planning, and the merits of push and pull systems. You will also examine quality control and its management in practice.

• Human Resource Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the significance of human resource management in organisations. You will look at the links between product market and human resourcing strategies, the role of human resources planning in workforce management, and polices such as employee participation and involvement, including the role of trade unions in employment relationships. You will examine the regulation of labour markets, employment discrimination and conflict and resistance at work. You will also consider specific human resources practices, such as recruitment and selection, training and development and pay and performance management.

• The Global Economy

  In this module you will develop an understanding of what is meant by globalisation, looking at the growth and development of the international economy from the late nineteenth-century to the present day. You will consider the many arguments and myths surrounding globalisation, focussing on the growth and development of the global economy during the twentieth century. You will examine institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and multinational enterprises, and the role of foreign direct investment as a driving force in the integration of developing countries into the globalisation process. You will also consider the consequences of globalisation in relation to the environment, social inequalities, and poverty.

• Multinational Enterprise

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the development and contemporary fluctuations of multinational enterprises. You will look at their history and the role of foreign direct investment in achieving growth. You will consider the effect of internationalisation on host countries, and examine the political economy context within which multinational enterprises operate, as well as their own strategic decision making.

Year 3

• Year in Business

  This year will be spent on a work placement. You will be supported by the School of Management and the Royal Holloway Careers and Employability Service to find a suitable placement. However, Royal Holloway cannot guarantee that all students who are accepted onto this degree programme will secure a placement, and the ultimate responsibility lies with yourself. This year forms an integral part of the degree programme and you will be asked to complete assessed work. The mark for this work will count towards your final degree classification.

Year 4

• Asia Pacific Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of multinational business in the Asia Pacific, their worldwide operations, and their impact on Europe. You will look at the contemporary economic, political, and cultural contexts of the Asia Pacific nations, and consider the diversity of the business environments and business practices in the region. You will examine the factors that lay behind the rapid growth of the region in the last five decades, and use empirical evidence to analyse the operation, performance and impact of multinational enterprises originating from there.

• Emerging Markets

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the emerging markets, commercial realities, and national cultures within the context of the global economy. You will look at the strategic issues and dilemmas that managers face in their efforts to expand into emerging markets, and consider the commercial realities and national cultures of these. You will look at specific cases studies, including the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, Turkey and South Africa.

• European Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how institutions, policies and processes have shaped the European Union and the European business environment. You will look at the key institutions, policies and processes involved in the widening and deepening of the union, and theories which explain its development. You will consider the national, regional and global influences on European business and examine the complex relationships between the EU and its major trading partners. You will also critically evaluate the challenges facing European countries, policymakers and businesses.

• Business in International Comparative Perspective

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the key determinants of economic performance and the success of individual firms, industries and national economies. You will look at the achievements of the world's advanced economies, considering the character of their institutions and businesses, and examine the historical origins of differences in national institutions and corporate capabilities.

• Responsible Business in Context

  Having gained an understanding of the workings of key corporate functions in their prior courses, this course will increase students' understanding of the opportunities and challenges that arise from the external business context in the early 21st century. These are evaluated from the perspective of a range of corporate functions and appropriate corporate response structures identified.

Optional Modules

There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.

Year 1

You will take one of the following:

• Markets and Consumption

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how marketing can be seen as both an academic discipline and as a business practice. You will look at the role of the consumer as a stakeholder in an organisation, examining how they make consumption decisions. You will assess marketing as a business practice, considering how it has penetrated all sectors of the economy (private, public, and not-for-profit). In addition, you will learn about the sustainability of marketing practices in an increasingly globalised consumer society.

• Foundations for Responsible Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the main economic, social, ecological and governance factors that determine the long-term sustainability of organisations. You will look at the interconnectedness of these factors and how they set the context within which small and large businesses, public service organisations and third sector organisations operate. You will consider perspectives on the identification and management of corporate social responsibility, including the complex and often contested business case for it, and how this is often tied into, and justified, in terms of the economic context within which the organisation operates. You will also examine the importance of corporate governance for global sustainability.

Alternatively, you may take a module from another department, subject to availability and timetable constraints.

• All modules are core

Year 2

You will take one of the following:

• Financial Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of fundamental concepts in finance, with an emphasis on corporate financial management. You will look at financial markets and institutions and how these impact a company’s financial strategy, and examine the techniques of capital budgeting, such as net present values and internal rate of return, including inflation and tax treatment. You will also consider sources of finance to a firm, management of risk, portfolio theory, and corporate valuation.

• Managerial Economics

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the tools and techniques of economic analysis to solve common managerial problems. You will look at economic intuition and its relevance to business problems, and the application of economic principles to strategic situations. You will consider the constraints faced by business decision makers, the economic consequences of their decisions, and the influence of the macro environment. You will also examine the benefits and drawbacks of free trade or restrictions on imports and exports across a range of countries with divergent socio-political contexts.

• New Venture Creation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the entrepreneurship process. You will look at how to start and grow a new venture, and how to develop and translate entrepreneurial ideas into achievable opportunities. You will consider the theories of entrepreneurship relating to opportunity recognition, marketing, innovation, and team formation, and assess key concepts such as internationalisation, raising finance, managing growth and exit strategies. You will also examine the nature of business planning and learn to critically evaluate a business opportunity.

• Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship. You will look at the roles and contributions of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises to economies, and the theories of business growth and development, barriers to growth, internationalisation, and management buyouts. You will consider debates around the provision of hard and soft government support for entrepreneurship, and examine the application of entrepreneurship across different domains, including social entrepreneurship and the increasingly important ‘third sector’, the role of women, family businesses, ethnic minority businesses, and corporate ventures.

• Motivation and Performance

  In this module you will develop an understanding of why people work, how hard they work, and how motivation relates to employee wellbeing and performance. You will look at theories of people’s needs, values and traits, theories of justice, and the psychological contract. You will consider the role of popular management practices, including the use of pay, leadership, job design, and human resource management, and assess the evidence on the impact of such interventions. You will also examine the social and structural forces that influence work motivation and performance.

• Managing Organisational Change

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the emergent discipline of organisational change and change management. You will look at the social scientific concepts and theories underpinning the management of change, and consider how these are applied in practice. You will examine the organisational problems central to contemporary management, becoming familiar with the diagnostic and prescriptive tools used in complex organisational change processes.

• Creative Process Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the practice of problem-solving in organisations. You will look at the models, frameworks, tools and methods used to deal with the complexities of decision making in different types of organisations, including the implementation or use of information systems and technologies. You will consider which courses of action are most appropriate for particular management situations, and examine techniques used by managers to gain insights into situations and structure potential solutions to perceived problems, including concepts of non-linearity, self-organisation, creativity and chaos.

• Project Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the role of project management within organisations and its value in achieving organisational objectives. You will look at the process of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controlling resources (physical, technological, human and others) for the achievement of a focussed objective. You will consider the factors involved in promoting organisational change, and critically examine the problems of implementation. You will also examine the techniques used for monitoring and controlling projects, and approaches to project risk management.

• Marketing Research

  In this module you develop an understanding of the nature and scope of marketing research, and how it is used to support the design and implementation of successful marketing decisions. You look at a conceptual framework for producing research results that are actionable and relevant. You will consider both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques and methods of data analysis, gaining familiarity with the SPSS software package and how to write marketing research reports to assist decision makers.

• Digital Marketing

  In this you will develop an understanding of how digital technologies are being used in marketing programmes. You will look the frameworks and models that are relevant to digital marketing practice and their supporting technologies. You will examine various digital channels and how they are used within marketing campaigns, considering search engine optimisation strategies, customer acquisition and retention, customer service, direct marketing, communications, e-tailing and digital channel structures.

• Business and the Natural Environment

  In this module you will develop an understanding of environmental sustainability in relation to business and management. You will look at local, regional, national and global issues for various aspects of the natural environment that business activities may have an impact on, including climate change, soil, air, and water pollution. You will consider the implications of these environmental issues on business functions, such as strategy, logistics, production, and marketing, and the legal frameworks surrounding them. You will also examine sustainable management practices and the role of environmental regulations.

• Business in Society

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the role of business within a moral and social context. You will look at corporate social responsibility and business ethics within key functional areas such as marketing, human resource management, and accounting, and how these relate to sustainability. You will consider the key theoretical and practical perspectives surrounding the complexities of business in society, and compare and contrast different approaches taken to ethical issues. You will also examine environmental issues and how they affect business, including regulations and emissions tariffs.

• Diversity and Inclusion Management

  In this module, we explore the concepts of diversity and inclusion in organisations, through identities of gender, race and ethnicity, disability, class and sexuality, through case studies and in-class discussion, and different management strategies for diversity and inclusion. This module provides the theories, toolkits and practical examples needed to manage for a diverse and inclusive organisation in the 21st century. 

   

Year 4

You will take two of the following:

• International Financial Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of various aspects of the international financial accounting environment. You will look at the regulatory background to the composition of reporting documents, considering influences on national financial reporting and international differences in financial reporting systems. You will examine approaches to the classification of financial reporting systems, and initatives designed to achieve international harmonisation and standardisation of accounting practices. You will also evaluate communication issues in accounting and analyse the impact of international accountability.

• Consumer Behaviour

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the nature of consumer behaviour, its relevance to the marketing environment, and impact on society. You will look at the internal and external factors which underpin consumer behaviour theories, and consider the impact of marketing strategies on these. You will also examine the the nature of consumption, markets, and culture, and evaluate the complexity of consumer behaviour.

• Accounting for Corporate Accountability

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the concept of accountability in the context of the relationships between corporate organisations and their stakeholders. You will look at the main theoretical approaches used to explain corporate reporting practice, including agency theory, signalling theory, stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and institutional theory. You will examine a selection of International Financial Reporting Standards dealing with complex issues involving the identification, recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses. You will also consider the nature of subjective judgements involved in financial, social and environmental accounting and reporting.

• The Globalisation of Work

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the impact of globalisation on work. You will look at the economic, political and institutional forces that shape the international mobility of workers, and examine the complexity of managing people as work becomes increasingly boundaryless. You will consider the implications of a more integrated global labour market on work organisation, employment relations and national labour market institutions, and critically assess the challenges brought by the mobility of capital and the movement of people to the organisation of work in a global context.

• The Individual at Work

  In this module you will develop an understanding of a variety of contemporary issues with respect to individual and group behaviour at work. You will look at the theoretical approaches to understanding individual and group processes, considering work attitudes, identity at work, and issues of work design, such as teamwork, contemporary communication, and managing well-being.

• Brands and Branding

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the nature of brands, branding, and the nature of the consumer society that we live in. You will look at different theoretical approaches to understanding brands and branding, and examine how branding theories are applied in marketing strategies.

• Global Marketing

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the scope and nature of marketing planning, practice and theory in a global context. You will look at the evolution of the global market and consider current topical debates surrounding globalisation. You will examine the complexities of marketing operations and strategies in diverse geographical markets and evaluate the suitability of marketing strategies in addressing the contemporary global business environment.

• Strategic Management Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of financial management control strategy. You will look at the dependencies and relationships between business models and operating architecture, capital structure, and off-balance sheet financing. You will consider the context of managing accounting in a changing environment, and evaluate the impact of mergers and acquisitions on businesses. You will examine strategic control tools and techniques such as responsibility accounting and transfer pricing, and assess the relationship between product markets, internal organisation cost structures and capital market expectations.

• Strategic Finance

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the 'time value of money'. You will look at the main principles of finance theory and how these can be applied to commercial problems. You will consider the relationship between risk and return, and examine the valuation of equities, bonds and options and the relative merits of different approaches to choosing and valuing securities. You will evaluate the consequences of a proposed takeover or merger from the perspective of capital markets and assess the relevance of information efficiency.

• Advertising and Promotion

  In this module you will develop an understanding of contemporary marketing communication management within an international context. You will look at how promotional campaigns are constructed by advertising agencies, and consider the complementarity and inter-dependence of discrete marketing activities within a strategic perspective by creating an outline promotional campaign. You will examine the complexity and salience of ethical issues in marketing and advertising, especially with respect to the wider social influence, and deconstruct promotional communications in terms of their likely intended segmentation and positioning rationale.

• Clusters, Small Business and Entrepreneurship

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how small companies can become internationally competitive. You will look at the theories of clusters, and apply them to the analysis of small and medium enterprises operating in different contexts. You will consider vertical and horizontal collaborative strategies, and their impact on firms' capabilities, resources, and performance. You will examine the relationships between small companies and multinationals, and the mechanisms through which small companies are linked to the global economy. You will also compare different clusters and assess the competitive advantages and disadvantages they generate for companies.

• Business Data Analytics

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the main managerial and technological principles which underlie business and analytics. You will look at the impact of business data analytics on product and service innovation, and examine the main challenges and risk related to business data analytics activities within organisations. You will learn how to carry out a variety of business data analytics techniques, and consider the impact of legislation, regulation and ethical codes of practice on business data analytics programmes and the organisations running them.

• Digital Innovation Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the main technological and managerial principles behind digital innovation. You will look at the revolutionary impact of digital technology on product and service innovation, and examine the main challenges and risks related to digital innovation initiatives within organisations. You will consider how the latest digital technologies can be used to lead innovation initiatives and analyse the implications of the external socio-economic and regulatory context for digital innovation within organisations.

• Business Process Applications

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the principles and concepts of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). You will look at how firms use ERP systems for strategic effectiveness and consider the key strategic issues facing managers seeking to deploy and exploit such systems. You will examine the challenges facing those responsible for the selection, implementation and management of ERP projects, and gain practical experience using SAP software and other enterprise-level applications.

• Entrepreneurship: Theory and History

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how enterprises have evolved and how the position of entrepreneurs has changed over the centuries under different regimes of state formation, institutional change and moral discipline. You will look at how political regimes have either facilitated or hindered entrepreneurship and examine the importance of temporal, geographical and structural issues in entrepreneurship history.

• Corporate Entrepreneurship

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the theories and practices related to corporate entrepreneurship. You will look at the management of creativity and innovation in large organisations, as well as the processes and structures relevant to the successful appropriation of opportunities within a market context. You will also consider the barriers that constrain managers and their companies from being entrepreneurial and examine conceptual and empirical evidence of corporate entrepreneurship from real-world examples.

• Innovation, Strategy and the Corporation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of business innovation in the context of new ventures and corporations. You will look at how changes in technology, markets, and society are affecting how new business models, products and services emerge. You will consider innovation as a source of competitive advantage and examine the management of innovation, critically evaluating associated risks and uncertainty. You will also analyse past experiences and how they can be used to exploit future opportunities through innovation.

• Organisations and Accountability

  In this module you will develop an understanding of contemporary issues in the theory and practice of accounting for sustainability. You will look at key issues in the growing ara of sustainability accounting including notions of accountability in the context of sustainability, cultural and religious perspectives on sustainability accounting, elements of sustainability reporting, and the role of accounting in embedding sustainability in decision making.

• Corporate Governance

  In this module you will develop an understanding of a number of diverse international and theoretical positions on corporate governance. You will look at the concepts of control, accountability and transparency within the context of corporate governance, and consider the role of regulation and its comparative national context. You will examine new trends in emerging market business groups and multinationals and analyse prevailing debates on insider- versus outsider-controlled corporate governance regimes.

• Responsible Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of responsibility in the context of entrepreneurship. You will look at the entrepreneurial process and consider the inherent ambivalence of both new ideas and their unintended consequences. You will examine the concepts of social entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, and minority entrepreneurship, and evaluate how new organisations emerge, grow, and approach responsibility challenges.

• Marketing Ethics and Society

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the scope and nature of marketing ethics. You will look at the complexity and interconnectedness of moral dilemmas in marketing practice and consider potential responses by stakeholders, such as consumers, businesses and governmental actors, to ethical marketing issues.

• Social Media, Networks and Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of social networks and social media platforms from multiple perspectives. You will look at the growth of social media and the connectedness of the networked society, considering recent advances in network science, social psychology, and marketing. You will examine the role of social networking technologies in enabling business innovation and societal change, and critically assess positive and negative impacts of these technologies.

• Business Simulation

  Students will undertake an online business simulation and will apply concepts and knowledge from across their programme to make decisions that will affect the performance of their enterprise. Students will experience how different decisions and factors affect business performance while learning about the interrelationships between marketing, operations, finance and sales.

   

• Leading and Leadership in Organisations

  This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview to important and current leadership theories. Working at the boundary of practice and theory, weekly sessions are highly interactive and will be delivered in the form of lectures and workshops. We expect each student to engage proactively with all aspects of the module, including adequate preparation for each session as well as post-class reflections.

   

Alternatively, you may take one of the following:

• International Human Resource Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the implications of changes in the global organisation of firms and the international workforce for human resource management policy choices. You will look at the differences in business and human resource systems between the UK, the USA, Germany and Japan, and examine the approaches to, and strategies for, human resource management in international business activities. You will consider the problems of transferring human resource management practices from one country to another, and the role of multinational companies as agents of knowledge. You will also evaluate the role of transnational organisations in regulating human resource policies and practices in firms.

• Dissertation

  You will initiate, design and undertake a substantial piece of independent work. You will critically review published work and utilise qualitative or quantitative research skills to evaluate and interpret research data.