International Business Administration B, 30 Credits

Contents

The objective of this course is to give the student an integrated basic education within the area of business administration, taking an international perspective. The course is given and examined in English.

The modules are:
Module 1. Financial Accounting, 7.5 credits / Extern redovisning, 7,5 hp
Module 2. Foundations of Finance, 7.5 credits / Finansiering, 7,5 hp
Module 3. Research Methodology in Business Administration, 7.5 credits / Vetenskaplig metod inom företagsekonomi, 7,5 hp
Module 4. Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, 7.5 credits / Entreprenörskap med beslutsstöd, 7,5 hp

The course shall, besides offering a basic understanding of business administration, also provide the student with an understanding of economic problems and their relations on society, company/organization and individual level. Included are also perspectives on methods practicable in companies and organizations..

Module 1. Financial Accounting, 7.5 credits
An understanding of how to use, interpret, and analyze financial reports is important for those operating in an international business environment. The international financial reporting standards are introduced through a brief overview of financial accounting concepts and a description of the general accounting model. The interpretation of specific business transactions and approaches to the preparation of financial reports are also taught in this module. The approach enables students to see how accounting information is used, interpreted, and analyzed in real world decision making. The students will get an introduction and practical use of business systems in order to understand business processes.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

● understand the basics of double-entry book-keeping and annual accounts
● possess the basic skills to independently analyze, interpret, and use information in financial reports
● describe the content and identify the links between the balance sheet, the income statement, statement of cash flows and supplemental disclosures
● explain and analyze the development of international financial reporting standards and standard harmonization in accounting
● understand the importance of ethics in the accounting profession
● at an introductory level understand how to use business systems and accounting systems

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, exercises, case and workshops, discussions and a project.

Module examination modes
Examination will be based upon one or more group assignments and an individual written comprehensive exam. A passing grade is required on each part of the module. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 2. Foundations of Finance, 7.5 credits
This course is intended to introduce participants to the basic concepts, theories and methods used in financial management. The focus is on the acquisition and use of financial resources, including methods for analyzing investment decisions and interest rates. The course also deals with how the company´s capital structure is affected by financial decisions. The course also aims to develop an understanding and knowledge of the concepts of risk and return associated with the investment decision.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this course, the student should be able to:

● explain the basic principles of financial management
● explain and calculate the time value of money
● utilize tools to assess the impact of financial decisions and calculate the value of projected cash flows
● explain the concept of risk as well as measure systematic and unsystematic risk
● explain the principal-agent problem between the company´s management and owners
● apply capital budgeting techniques and undertake sensitivity analysis using spread sheets
● explain factors that affect the optimal capital structure of a business.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, tutorials, workshops and a practical problem solving case.

Module examination modes
Examination will be based upon one or more individual assignments, a group work and an individual written comprehensive exam. A passing grade is required on each part of the course. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 3. Research Methodology in Business Administration, 7.5 credits
The overarching aim of this module is to acquire a basic knowledge of scientific paradigms and research methods. Further, the aim is to develop the student’s ability to first, conduct and in written form report a scientific study, and second, to evaluate and use scientific as well as other reports.

The module begins with a discussion on the process of knowledge creation, with an emphasis on the production of scientific knowledge. Important building blocks in this process are frames of reference, scientific ideals, problem formulation, scientific approaches and methods for data collection and analysis.

Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of a well thought-out choice of topic, problematisation, and a careful specification of the problem statement (research question). To this general scientific approach, research design and different types of research strategies are addressed. Further, the possibilities and limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods are discussed. Methods for sampling and data collection are scrutinized, among other things based on the possibilities of accessing information.

The module also includes activities that develops the student’s ability to find information in databases, to use different types of information in an appropriate manner, and to evaluate this information and the sources according to relevant criteria.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

● describe the main scientific ideals, and explain how different values and perspectives influence the process of knowledge creation
● describe the different characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods and evaluate the suitability of different methods to solve different types of research questions
● independently search, critically evaluate and use different types of information
● argue for the formulation of a particular problem (research question), scientific strategies and methodological choices, and analyze an empirical and theoretical material
● critically examine other scientific studies from different perspectives
● plan, design and conduct a scientific study within specified time limits and make judgments with regard to relevant ethical aspects.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, seminars and supervision. Attendance is obligatory for activities that are part of the examination.

Module examination modes
As examination the student will conduct a scientific study together with a number of other students and perform at seminars. An individual written exam is also a part of the course. A passing grade is required on each part of the module. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Module 4. Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP), 7.5 credits
The module introduces entrepreneurship as a phenomenon and knowledge field. The purpose is to develop the knowledge of and understanding about entrepreneurship and business development processes. The concept of entrepreneurship is problematized and the multidisciplinary character of the area is outlined.

The focus of this module is entrepreneurship related to business development, both as manifested in the establishment of new ventures and in the renewal of existing firms. The majority of these discussions are organized in the form of thematic student lectures. Themes that may occur in the module are entrepreneurship in relation to innovation, gender, growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and new venture creation. In terms of business development, the students will be introduced to concepts such as business modeling as well as business plan writing as tools for the establishment of new ventures and in the renewal of existing firms.

To be able to conduct business development in a successful way, access to, and managing supportive systems are of crucial importance. This module will deal with these issues by having computer based exercises in using ERP systems in the decision process.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

● describe and problematize the concept of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial perspective
● describe and analyze the entrepreneurial process, its drivers, characteristics and context
● apply theories within the entrepreneurship field to real life situations
● take initiatives and independently develop a business idea and use knowledge gained from earlier courses in business administration in order to develop this idea in a business plan sketch
● use the main information resources in the entrepreneurship field
● plan and perform an oral presentation within a theme about entrepreneurship as well as argue for, and sell, a business idea
● show competence regarding which business processes support systems are available for business development.

Focus of instruction
The education in entrepreneurship shall contribute to developing students’ creativity, their ability to take initiative and their action orientation. The pedagogical idea of the module therefore builds on key words such as theoretical abstraction and ability to learning in interaction with others.

A minor number of lectures of introductory and orientation character are supplemented with guest lectures by researchers, entrepreneurs and others. Learning activities that focus student initiative and action orientation dominate during the module. The students have the possibility to practice his/her capacity to obtain information about a theme and practice his/her presentation technique through a student lecture. Students also perform a business development assignment, formulating an idea and a business plan for a new venture, which is presented through an oral presentation and a written report.

Module examination modes
The students are assessed through an individual exam, a student lecture, a business development assignment and an exercise on business support systems. A passing grade is required on each part of the module. The course is given and examined in English. Note as well examination modes for the course below.

Expected learning outcomes

See under each separate module.

Required Knowledge

International Business Administration A 30 credits or similar. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B, English/6.

Form of instruction

All teaching will be in English. See also above under separate module.

Examination modes

See each separate module and below.

The following grading system is used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, VG, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
and Fail (Underkänd U, less than 50%).

Grades on the course are awarded when the student has passed all examinations and compulsory course elements. The course is given and examined in English.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction (VG) in the 30 credits course consisting of four modules of the same size, the student must have achieved Pass with distinction (VG) in at least three out of four modules. In shorter courses for example 7,5 credit courses, 15 credit courses or 22,5 credits courses Pass with distinction (VG) is given when the student has achieved at least 75% of the total weighted points.

A student who does not pass at the time of the written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within two months. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given, no later than two weeks after the completion of the module. Mandatory assignments (seminars, written assignments, cases, computer assignments etc.) that have not been handed in within stipulated time must be done the next time the course is offered. If the form of examination does not permit repetition other forms of re-examination may be used.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

A student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grade.

If a student fails to present a photo ID at the occasion of a written exam in an exam room will not be allowed to take the exam.

Disciplinary action may be taken against students who uses unauthorized help aids or in some other way tries to mislead on a test or when another type of task is being evaluated. Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments. (see instructions in the thesis manual, Thesis Writing in Business Administration). Urkund records may be used for control. In addition, Umeå University rules and regulations for education and research applies: 　http://www.umu.se/regelverk/utbildning-pa-grund--och-avancerad-niva

Educational activities are designed to facilitate students towards achieving expected learning outcomes and can explain, supplement and provide contrast to the course literature and other relevant course materials.

Other regulations

Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.