MSc in International Business Management and Corporate Social Responsibility at Oxford Brookes University

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

Global Strategic Management

Strategic management is the process by which managers formulate and implement strategies to generate high performance. In this module you will develop your understanding of the managerial strategic challenge; how to deliver sustainable competitive advantage. You will engage in critical evaluation of the key strategic issues. You will consider the wider economic environment and explore why strategy is important, how organisations make strategic decisions through the processes of analysis, choice and responsible and ethical management and leadership.

Innovation, Change and Organisations

The aim of this module is to provide insight into a series of topics that represent key issues around innovation and change and the organisational context in modern general management.  The module is forward looking from the contemporary organisation towards future developments.  A key perspective is the development to date of entrepreneurship, innovation, change and organisational practices making students aware of long-term patterns and cycles, and the way and extent to which the past can shape the present.

Introduction to the Principles of Responsible Marketing

In this module you will be introduced to the key principles of marketing. You will explore the roles of buyers, the marketing environment, and the ways marketers plan, manage, and monitor marketing programmes in an international environment.

Developing Skills for Business Leadership

Successful leaders have different approaches to their work, sharing a range of diverse personality traits. A key purpose of this module is to encourage you to develop a strong sense of self-awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses as a manager and colleague. In addition, you will develop a range of transferrable skills which are pivotal to successful management practice. These include decision-making skills, team-working and interpersonal skills and others associated with developing personal effectiveness.

Operations Management

In this module you will develop your understanding of an organisation’s ability to deliver goods and services of the quality, quantity and cost that will satisfy customers’ needs, while making efficient use of resources. The key principles introduced in this module can be applied to any business sector and function. Issues covered include ethics, environmental sustainability, global business, complexity and uncertainty, and continuing professional development.

Finance and Accounting for Business

In this module you will develop your critical assessment of corporate financial information from the users’ perspective. You will study both financial and management accounting covering three areas: basics (terminology, purposes, users), rules and regulations, and business entities.

• Financial accounting – key financial statements, published accounts and analysis and interpretation through ratios.
• Management accounting – costing, budgeting and forecasting, budget management and pricing.

Research Methods

This module prepares you for completing high quality, systematic business and management research, and equips you to be successful in your final dissertation or other capstone module.  You will learn how to undertake effective research drawing upon a range of secondary and primary data sources, and will be introduced to a range of tools required for research including methodological issues, data collection techniques and study skills.

Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

In this module you will learn about alternative perspectives on strategic management and corporate governance. This will encompass stakeholder issues including ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). You will develop your understanding of approaches to solving problems when governing in the corporate sector. Your studies will consider current issues and consider the social implications of governance. You will also focus on the impact of globalisation on international management practices. You will be equipped with the knowledge to enhance management decisions involving ethical choices. Finally, you will consider your assumptions about the role of managers and organisations in a complex and challenging context through the exploration of contemporary issues in CSR.

Strategic Business Simulation (CSR focus)

This module teaches you about group decision making. It involves a live new business development scenario, through which you apply your understanding of business principles to a computer simulation. The simulation will challenge your ethical, environmental and sustainability decisions when running an international business and will consider a range of business functions. You will develop management skills such as team management, budgeting, implementing a communications strategy and coping with unexpected competitor activity.

Consultancy Project OR Virtual Global Study Trip

You can choose between:

Consultancy Project: you will gain practical international project experience by working in a team on a real problem for a client organisation. You will develop problem-solving and communication skills as well as the ability to work in cross-cultural teams.

Strategic Planning in Practice: you will apply and extend your knowledge gained within the first semester of the programme to a complex, integrative, international case study company using Strategic Planning software. You will demonstrate a systematic understanding of current business and management issues and the ability to synthesise understandings drawn from a number of key knowledge areas.

Virtual Global Study Trip: this module gives you a hands-on, intensive experience of current business ideas and practices through visiting multinational enterprises and international organisations. This includes presentations from local and international executives, managers and academics.