Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module BUSI59615: REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSE (DL)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI59615: REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSE (DL)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap
Tied to N1D317
Tied to N1D217
Tied to N1D314

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the main issues and complexities of managing organisations in the principal trading regions.

Content

  • The North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA): main political, economic, technological and social trends; key provisions of the NAFTA treaty; business environment and opportunities; market potentials, alternative entry and operating strategies; strategies, structures and processes adopted by organisations within the region.
  • The Asian Trade Bloc (ASEAN/APEC): main political, economic, technological and social trends; comparison of Japanese, Korean and Chinese enterprise; business environment and opportunities; market potentials, alternative entry and operating strategies; competition and collaboration.
  • The European Union: main political, economic, technological and social trends; key principles of the EU; the European business environment and the forces shaping it; the strategic and operational importance of the European context for international business.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should have:
  • specialist knowledge of, and the ability to apply, the economic theory underpinning the process of regional integration;
  • a critical appreciation of the nature and process of regional integration in the principal trading regions;
  • an advanced understanding of the impact of regional integration on business activity in general.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should have:
  • an ability to critically analyse the consequences of regional integration for the management of organisations.
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
    • The written assignment will test students’ understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    D L Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
    Total 150

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Written Assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Written assignment of 1,500 words (maximum).


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University