BSc Management

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.

The Manchester Bursary is available to UK students registered on an undergraduate degree course at Alliance MBS who have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance England. 

In addition, Alliance MBS will award a range of Social Responsibility Scholarships to UK and international/EU students.

These awards are worth £2,000 per year across three years of study. You must achieve AAA at A-level (or equivalent qualification) and be able to demonstrate a significant contribution and commitment to social responsibility.

The School will also award a number of International Stellar Scholarships to international students achieving AAA at A-level (or equivalent qualification). Applicants who exceed AAA and/or have supplementary qualifications (such as EPQ) will receive additional consideration.

Additional eligibility criteria apply - please see our scholarship pages for full details.

This course unit introduces students to the background to and the key issues of International Business (IB). The first part introduces and explains the concept of international, the phenomenon of the multinational enterprise (MNE), and the two leading analytical perspectives in international business, the institution-based view and the resource-based view. The second part introduces students to relevant issues in the international economic and political context, ranging from international trade to foreign direct investment and regional economic and political integration. The third part discusses the processes of starting and developing an international business, while the fourth part of the course looks at the functioning of MNEs, introduction of Corporate Social Responsibility, and investigating the issues related to CSR and international people management.

Available as option for BSc Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IBFE and IMABS. Core for BSc International Management, BSc Management with IBE Specialism and BSc Management with IS Specialism.

None

This course aims to provide students with the analytical techniques, conceptual approaches and empirical evidence relevant to understanding the role of international business in the global economy. The module will introduce students to environmental forces and actors that help to shape the macro and micro environment for international businesses. It will examine how these forces and actors may shape business strategy and operations in the modern global economy.

Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):  

• Introduction to the course, key concepts in international business 
• Industry and resource-based view 
• Formal Institutions and Informal Institutions 
• European Integration and Global Integration 
• International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment 
• Modes of International Operations 
• Strategic Alliances and Networks 
• CSR and International Business 
• Globalisation, Outsourcing and Value Chain Dynamics 
• Building Global Strategies, Organizing Multinational Enterprises 

The course is structured as a blend of in-person lectures and seminars, delivered synchronously over ten weeks during Semester One.  

Lectures:

The course comprises eleven two-hour lectures that include interactive activities such as discussions on real-world business cases and online quizzes via a digital platform. These activities help students solidify their understanding of core concepts and theories while providing formative feedback for improvement.

Seminars:

Students participate in five  one-hour seminars, which center on presenting organizational case studies focused on business models. These presentations are followed by peer-led discussions, enabling students to receive feedback from both peers and seminar leaders. This approach supports students in refining their group reports.

Group Report and Exam:

The group report tasks students with applying theoretical frameworks and concepts to analyze the business models of selected case companies.  

The exam evaluates students’ grasp of key theories, their ability to critically engage with relevant literature, and their skill in articulating and defending their perspectives at a conceptual level. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that drive international business, including global trade, investment, and international marketing. 
• Understand the role of institutions (e.g., government policies, trade organizations) and culture in shaping international business strategies and operations. 
• Identify the significance of organizational resources (human, financial, technological) and capabilities in managing international operations effectively. 

• Apply critical thinking methods to analyze complex issues in international business, considering various perspectives and alternative solutions. 
• Evaluate and analyze real-world business cases, making informed, critical judgments about the strategies and decisions made. 
• Critically assess conventional management theories and tools, and develop customized, context-specific strategies for international business management. 

• Evaluate and assess different policy options and strategic decisions that impact international business operations, considering both opportunities and risks. 
• Effectively analyze case studies, identifying key issues, developing solutions, and providing recommendations based on evidence and sound reasoning. 
• Demonstrate the ability to make informed, strategic decisions in international business contexts by applying analytical tools, market data, and cultural insights to drive organizational success. 

• Communicate complex international business concepts clearly and persuasively, in writing, to diverse audiences. 
• Work effectively within diverse, multicultural teams to solve international business problems, demonstrating leadership, cooperation, and adaptability. 
• Demonstrate strong time management and organizational skills, prioritizing tasks and responsibilities efficiently in a fast-paced international business environment.

Formative: 

Group Case Analysis

 

Summative: 

Group coursework (20%)

Examination (80%)

In addition to receiving formative feedback during lectures and seminars, students are provided with summative feedback on their group reports and exams. 

Core text:

Peng Mike and Klaus Meyer (2016), International Business (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-4737-2264-4) 

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: This course is available to students on the following programmes:

Core course for:

• BSc International Management 
• BSc Management (International Business Economics) 
• BSc Management (International Studies)

Optional for:

• BSc International Business Finance and Economics 
• All other BSc Management / Management (specialism) 

For Academic Year 2025/26

Updated: March 2025

Approved by: March UG Committee