The aim of the module is to provide students with the theoretical understanding of the relationship between two major themes in International Business: (i) the existence of differences in national business systems; and (ii) the present day character of processes of internationalisation and globalisation of economic and business activities. A major theme running through the module is the importance of knowledge for firms to understand the development and evolution of national business systems and international business.

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• compare and contrast theories of the multinational firm and critically evaluate their relevance in today’s context;
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the internationalisation of manufacturing and service firms;
• discuss and appraise new theoretical approaches to the internationalisation of firm activities based on the development of new forms of firm organisation;
• analyse the main contemporary trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and critically analyse and evaluate the role of these investment flows in the economic and social development of nations;
• identify and compare and contrast key characteristics of different national business systems applying contemporary institutional theories;
• analyse and evaluate the importance of knowledge in international business.