Order 159428: Global Business Strategy

7.2 Global Business Strategy

Aims To explore the strategic responses of organisations to the rapidly changing global business environment. To understand the strategies and processes used to manage international businesses in differing geographical and cultural situations. To understand the importance of managing within a framework of corporate social responsibility.

Unit Level 7

Unit Code R/503/5094

GLH 60

Credit Value 15

Unit Grading Structure Pass

Assessment Guidance Assignments in accordance with awarding organisation guidance

Learning Outcomes. The learner will:

Assessment Criteria. The learner can:

1. Be able to analyse the international business environment

1.1 Review and assess suitable techniques to analyse the business environment

1.2 Analyse the micro-environment of a business 1.3 Analyse the macro-environment of a

business 1.4 Analyse how the international business

environment impacts on an organisation

2. Understand the impact of globalisation on business organisations

2.1 Analyse the extent of globalisation on organisations

2.2 Assess the benefits, opportunities and challenges of globalisation for an organisation

2.3 Analyse the structures of different organisations operating in international markets

2.4 Critically evaluate the international operations of an organisation

3. Understand the importance and nature of Corporate Social Responsibility

3.1 Analyse the moral and ethical questions facing organisations in an international environment

3.2 Analyse the conflicts between corporate strategy and ethical and social responsibilities

3.3 Identify legislation, regulation and guidance relating to corporate social responsibility

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Indicative Content

1. Be able to analyse the international business environment

Analysis techniques

 Environmental analysis and diagnostics, environmental audit, Porter’s diamond (The Competitive Advantage of Nations - Porter), PESTLE, ‘five forces’ analysis

Micro-environment

 Stakeholders, suppliers, customers, competitors, market intermediaries Macro-environment

 External climate, economic, political and legal environment (national and international), cultural environment, resources (capital, people and natural), technology

International business environment, culture, CSR, politics, environmental issues, globalisation 2. Understand the impact of globalisation on business organisations

History

 Economic theory, dependency theory, non-western cultures, maritime European empires, industrialisation, trade and empire, Bretton Woods, development of communications, information technology

Extent of globalisation

 Trade, labour movement, cultural exchange, technical development and exchange, capital

Effects of globalisation

 Effects on markets, business change, capital, jobs and outsourcing, cultural dominance, natural resources, conflict; debates: benefits and challenges of globalisation, advocates and critics

Structures

 International business organisation, international supply chain management, business structures, outsourcing, international communications

Operations

 International business conduct, competition in different markets, international brand development, protection of IP, trade partnerships, politics and regulation, security, ethics

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3. Understand the importance and nature of corporate social responsibility

Moral and ethical questions

 Organisation purpose, nature of business ethics, corporate responsibility, social responsibility, corporate accountability, corporate governance, cultural conflict (eg. nature of bribes and rewards), different economic models, different ethical frameworks (theories: deontological and utilitarianism), Hofestede, Hall (monochronic and polychronic cultures)

Conflicts

 Current conflicts and issues should be examined. Examples include: climate change and environmentalism, anti-globalisation and social responsibility, ‘Peak oil’, greater insecurity, relationships with government, technological change and privacy concerns, social media, intellectual property issues

Legislation

 UK, European, global and other national legislation and guidance; global agreements on carbon; legislation on pollution; agreements on issues affecting specific industries e.g. fishing agreements; institutions; codes of practice and guidelines from international (e.g. OECD, ISGN), and industry (e.g. ISAR) bodies, reporting mechanisms (audit standards)

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