International Business Project - Planning in Practice
| Module title | International Business Project - Planning in Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM492Z |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Robert Pearce (Convenor) |
Module description
In this module, you will learn how to research and develop an international business plan for your own venture or organisation of your choice. You will identify and analyse an international opportunity and create a strategy to pursue it. You will then write an individual business plan based on your research and analysis. This module will provide you with knowledge and skills for international business planning and strategy development.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to provide you with the capability to research and develop an international business plan based on an opportunity you hope to pursue internationally. The module will cover the key aspects of international business planning, where you will learn to apply relevant theories/frameworks to your own international business idea.
You will then be challenged with researching and writing an individual international business plan. You will do this from the point of view of your own current venture, the organisation you work for, an organisation of your choosing, or one you intend to start. You will be required to collect and analyse relevant data for this venture and the international opportunity you hope to pursue. This will help you to create a firm-specific international business plan while developing an international business strategy. This will result in you producing a 6000-word report outlining your international business plan.
This module therefore aims to support you as you create a realistic and comprehensive international business plan for your global venture. During the module, you will learn how to:
- Identify and evaluate potential international markets for your venture.
- Formulate strategic recommendations for your venture’s entry mode, marketing mix, value proposition, and competitive advantage in the international market.
- Identify stakeholders and create a strategy for collaboration.
Write a clear and persuasive international business plan report that covers all the essential aspects of your venture’s international strategy.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Recognise and access key factors that affect the internationalisation of a business venture.
- 2. Use relevant theories, models and frameworks to create an international business plan.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically analyse/synthesise researched data to develop an international business plan, using appropriate research methods.
- 4. Write an international plan report, using clear and persuasive language, appropriate structure and format, and suitable visual aids.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop and present a comprehensive international business plan that incorporates relevant market research, financial analysis, and strategic recommendations.
- 6. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate different scenarios and challenges in international business contexts.
- 7. Apply collaboration skills to identify how to build strong working relationships with others to deliver a successful international business venture.
Syllabus plan
The module integrates concepts/themes from elsewhere in the MSc, this time as applied to the development of an international business plan.
The module covers the following topics:
- Introduction to international business planning: The purpose and components of an international business plan.
- Environmental scanning, market research and competitive analysis: How to identify and evaluate potential international markets, and how to consider the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the venture in relation to your chosen market.
- Strategy formulation and model of entry: How to evaluate the best mode of entry into a foreign market for the venture. How to build strategic recommendations for the marketing mix, value proposition, and your competitive advantage in this international market.
- Presenting financial data for an international business plan.
- How to develop, structure, and present a pre-proposal for your venture, including how to collaborate with others.
- The international business plan report: Development, structure and presentation.
How to write a clear and persuasive international business plan report which covers all the essential aspects of the venture’s international strategy, and how to present it, effectively to potential investors or stakeholders.
Each topic will include readings, videos, and activities that will guide you through the process of creating your own international business plan. You will also receive feedback from your tutor on your work.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 200 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 100 | Recorded lectures and online skill-based activities. |
| Guided Independent Study | 200 | Reading, researching and writing assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly reflective activities | 1hr x 9 weeks | 1-7 | Self-generated or moderator providing qualitative/quantitative feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International business plan pre-proposal presentation | 25 | 10 minutes | 1-7 | Written feedback from tutor |
| International business plan report | 75 | 6,000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback from tutor |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| International business plan pre-proposal presentation | International business plan pre-proposal presentation | 1-7 | Next available assessment period |
| International business plan report | International business plan report | 1-7 | Next available assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment.. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Where there are practical reasons why the original form of assessment on a module cannot be replicated for referral or deferral purposes, an alternative form of assessment must be used. Examples of when this approach is justified include where the original assessment relied on fieldwork, group work, access to specialist equipment, or input from visiting staff; or where the process of assessment throughout the module was intricate, involving many assessments. The method of reassessment should address as many of the module’s intended learning outcomes as is possible.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Evans, V. (2016). Writing a business plan: How to win backing to start up or grow your business 2nd edition. Pearson: Financial Times.
- Hormozi, A. M., Sutton, G. S., McMinn, R. D., & Lucio, W. (2002). Business plans for new or small businesses: paving the path to success. Management Decision, 40(8), 755-763.
- Lasher, W. (2010). The Perfect Business Plan Made Simple: The best guide to writing a plan that will secure financial backing for your business. Broadway Books.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 23/06/2023 |
| Last revision date | 23/06/2023 |
