Foundation College
Global Business Strategy
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Start of programme
- Summer 2022
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- Russell Square, College Buildings
Course overview
This is a fascinating time to be studying Global Business with so many global, political and environmental changes which all impact strategy and practice. Understanding the environmental, management, marketing, financial, and operational challenges associated with global business activity have become essential requirements for success.
By the end of this course, students should be able to analyse industry and companies in an international setting, evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of international and global corporate strategies in terms of competitive advantage and compare the relative merits of different modes of global market entry. In addition, the increasing importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) now requires businesses to take ethical issues within business more seriously. This can include the environmental impact of business practices, fair trade, Human Resource (HR) equal opportunity practices and the importance of safe working conditions and practices.
The course is taught through a series of lectures and seminars with supporting English tuition. Particular emphasis is placed on developing students’ speaking skills; for example, discussion and negotiation skills. At the end of the course, students will be required to give a business-style presentation on a topic related to issues covered by the course.
Entry recommendations
Students should be at an intermediate level of English in order to follow and participate in classes. We do not require proof of English level, but as a guideline IELTS 5.5, TOEFL IBT 76 (or equivalent) are recommended.
Structure
Lecture topics
Topic 1: Global and transnational strategy
The first lecture focuses on the competitive strategies of global business. It draws together analysis of global business and its environment with global management.
Topic 2: Global and transnational market –servicing strategies
This lecture explores market-servicing strategy which is an important element of the global strategy of an organisation. The focus is on the wide range of alternative strategies for servicing foreign markets. Possible strategies include exporting, licensing, joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries.
Topic 3: Global human resource management strategy
Human resources play a central role in determining the success of global and transnational strategy. The implementation of effective leadership and management strategies within international business is complicated by variations in culture, value systems, languages, business environment and industrial relations systems between countries.
Topic 4: Global financial management
The purpose of this lecture is to discuss major financial issues faced by a global business. Finance is one of the key strategic areas to address in the implementation of strategy and in internal analysis.
Topic 5: Global technology management
This lecture seeks to explain the key themes of information technology strategy as they relate to international business. The focus is on the growing influence of ICT on the competitiveness of international business.
Topic 6: Managing global mergers, acquisitions and alliances
This lecture explains the motivations that underlie international mergers and acquisitions and collaborative business networks. It then explores the reasons for the success and failure of such ventures before considering how global managers can seek to increase the chances of successful integration or collaboration.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching and learning
Subject courses with English support are taught by two teachers, a subject specialist and a language expert. The subject classes use lectures, seminars and cases studies, whereas the integrated language classes focus on skills development (especially speaking and listening) using the subject content.
This is a full-time course with classes every day plus additional time for independent research. Students work towards delivering a presentation at the end of the course. You can expect to strengthen language skills and deepen subject knowledge, whilst gaining greater confidence in communicating in English in an academic setting.
All teaching takes place on campus with additional class excursions to places of interest in London.
The maximum number of students per class is 15.
You will receive a certificate for successful course completion.
Students will also have access to SOAS library including our wide range of e-books and e-journals.
FAQ
For further information, please see the IFCELS frequently asked questions
Fees and funding
Fees
- 3 weeks: (1 block): £1,900 GBP
- 6 weeks: (2 blocks): £3,500 GBP (save £300*)
- 9 weeks: (3 blocks): £5,100 GBP (save £600*)
*Compared to the cost of multiple individual blocks. The reduced fees for multiple blocks above are available for 2 or 3 blocks booked at the same time. The fee for any additional blocks booked after the initial application will be £1,800 for one extra block and £3,350 for two.
