You develop your understanding of strategic and change management alongside cross-cultural and international aspects of business. You reflect on the main functional areas of international business and integrate theoretical knowledge with practical enterprise skills in a global context as well as developing strategic thinking in digital business.
Course structure
Core modules
Building an e-Commerce Business
This module brings together an understanding of business planning, management and marketing with the key technical skills required to create a practical e-commerce business presence. You examine a range of digital technology solutions and their practical business uses in support of the e-commerce part of the business. Topics covered include buying and selling online, digital marketing, branding and advertising, integration with backroom systems, and the legal issues pertaining to undertaking global online business.
Developing Self and Others
Using a range of self-diagnostic tools to evaluate your personal strengths and areas for development, you develop a strong sense of awareness of your own skills and values and are introduced to a range of alternative debates on individual, group, leader and organisational behaviour. The skills developed will help your ability to perform effectively over time, with an awareness of differing cultural contexts and operating environments.
Digital Business Models
The module seeks to explain the emerging business models that are enabled by information technologies in the internet age. It provides a way of thinking and crafting strategy that transforms digital opportunities into sustainable competitive advantages. You will be equipped with critical theories and concepts to analyse and differentiate the strategic values of emerging technologies (cloud computing, social media, big data, the internet of things etc), and evaluate different methods of aligning technological opportunities with business strategy. By examining the business models and strategies of a wide range of internet business, you will be capable of not only identifying the patterns and explaining the mechanisms by which internet business evolves, but also, more importantly, critically evaluating the strategic choices to effectively convert digital opportunities into competitiveness.
Dissertation
You will integrate your learning and development and synthesise knowledge and understanding of theory and practice through its application to organisational issues, which are demonstrably concerned with development within the organisation. You are supported throughout the process by a supervising tutor who will monitor progress and ensure that you are appraised of your on-going performance. Usually the dissertation should be completed within one year.
Global Business Environment: Culture, Management and the Economy
You develop a critical understanding of the international business environment, concentrating particularly on the impact of cultural differences on individuals and organisations, and the effects of developments in the global economy. Teaching on the module is divided into two parts. The cultural aspects look at topics such as the nature of culture and its implications for management, communication, conflict and negotiation. The economics part develops the tools needed to analyse some of the principal issues facing business in the global economy, for example, international trade, economic development and growth, shifts in world economic activity and the effects of policies on the environment.
Managing in a Challenging Environment
You develop a systematic understanding of the nature of organisations and how they function and a critical awareness of the current challenges facing contemporary organisations. You are encouraged to critically reflect on the leadership skills and values required to better support organisations through the difficult challenges they may encounter.
Postgraduate Business Research Methods
This module develops your awareness and understanding of the factors that impact research design for business and management students. You explore the ethical principles underpinning business research, research methodologies, data type, collection and analysis, research methods and how to present a research proposal and dissertation.
