Online International Business MSc

Contemporary Issues in International Management

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, managers must navigate a complex web of technological advancements, shifting economic models, and global uncertainties. This module explores the critical challenges shaping contemporary management, from the rise of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to the ethical and societal implications of automation and human-machine collaboration.

You will examine the latest phase of globalisation and its impact on international business, alongside the transition to stakeholder capitalism, where organisations must balance profit with social responsibility. The module also delves into the digital transformation reshaping competitive environments, including business model innovation and ecosystem-based strategies.

Through the lens of agile strategy, leadership, and organisational design, you will assess how businesses adapt to disruption, the changing nature of work, and the growing influence of employees as key stakeholders. By engaging with cutting-edge management theories and real-world case studies, you will develop the analytical and decision-making skills required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world.

Supply Chain Strategy and Practice

Supply chain management is a major strategic concern for organisations, it is often stated that individual organisations no longer compete, but that the impetus of competition has shifted to supply chains/networks. Several strategic philosophies and techniques are explored in this module that focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain flow. This module highlights how the ever-demanding customer creates a need for managing the network from raw materials to end customer across organisational interfaces. Therefore, supply chain networks rely on effective management of relationships and outsourcing arrangements. Supply chains can be fragile due to the participants and external risks. Risk management strategies are applied within the module. Any logistics/supply chain strategy must make trade-offs in terms of cost; quality; flexibility; dependability and time. These strategic priorities are explored in the module. The module simulates a product supply chain, including necessary functions, produces, results and statistics about the supply chain that you must improve over the course of the trimester. The overall aim is to provide an insight into the system consequences of decisions, focusing on operational decisions, e.g. procurement, manufacturing, distribution, transport etc. Here you'll work to represent the management of the company, developing a strategy and work together to implement their decisions. The impetus is on real-life practice and learning through, analysis, project management and time management.

Finance for Decision Making

Management decision making is a complex subject involving many variable factors. The primary objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and analytical framework for looking at organisations operating in capital, financial and operational markets. You'll explore the financial element contained in decisions and the techniques that may be used to assist informed management decisions. You start by considering the availability of financial information that may be relevant to decision making and whether this fits with the information you need to make the decision. This is further developed to the type of decision and differing requirements, leading to a more bespoke deliverable information set that meets the context of the decision. You'll gain an appreciation of core themes prevalent throughout financial management. The module also explores the financial techniques developed by financial and management accountants and how they may be used and applied. Finally, consideration is given to the relevance and weighting of the financial element in the decision-making process and how qualitative issues may be incorporated in the overall decision.

International Marketing and Brand Management

In today’s digital world, big brands are known and coveted by consumers around the world. In fact, social influencers can create a desire for a brand or a product in countries where it is not even available! In this module, you'll learn the techniques of international marketing and how brands can appeal to consumers in different markets, including how to assess market opportunities and develop brand strategies appropriate for a variety of international markets. You'll learn more about brand management theory and analyse why some brands manage to cut through cultural boundaries to target a broader consumer base. This will involve deconstructing brands to understand the value they create for the consumer and the essence of their appeal. Brand listings will also be examined to understand what makes a brand valuable, how to increase brand equity, and how other brands can improve their ranking.

Into ARU

Entering third level education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all students to make the most of the opportunities Higher Education provides, so they reach their potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You’ll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you will explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where students collect knowledge and various complete mini tasks. You’ll proceed at your own pace, though we expect all students to have completed they’re Into ARU exploration by week 6. Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete by that date, will be signposted to existing services so that we can be confident that they are supported.

Leadership and Change

You'll investigate and critically evaluate historical and contemporary approaches to leadership theory, focusing especially on leadership at junior to middle management level. Classical theories of leadership will be examined including traits theory, behavioural theories and contingency theories. Some contemporary theories will include issues such as emotional intelligence, psychodynamics and leader-led relations. There will be a strong emphasis on applying the theory to your own personal leadership with a view to enhancing leadership performance in preparation for middle management roles within the organisation. Management of change will be another key emphasis, including organisational politics & power, change theories and the implementation of the change process. Issues for consideration will include the organisational context of change, resistance to change and practical management of the change process.

Postgraduate Major Project

This major project module allows you to engage in a substantial individual primary and/or secondary research project focussed on a topic relevant to your business degree and specialist subject area under the supervision and guidance of a member of academic staff. Supervisors will discuss with you the contemporary research problems and issues based on your research and practice, and you will conduct literature reviews, evaluate and critically appraise a range of information, investigate and adopt suitable theoretical frameworks, research methodologies and methods, and process and analyse data to produce a coherent and justified solution to the problem(s) identified. Throughout the module your supervisor will support you in terms of content and skills development so that you can work semi-autonomously on your individual research project. This is achieved through regular supervisory meetings throughout the year, which will allow for individual discussion of the tasks that will have to be completed to develop the project smoothly.

Modules are subject to change and availability.