Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module BUSI5G115: INTERNATIONALISATION OF SERVICES (DL)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI5G115: INTERNATIONALISATION OF SERVICES (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:
  • a critical appreciation of the nature and significance of services in the national and international economy;
  • an ability to critically apply theoretical explanations of the internationalisation of the firm to service enterprises;
  • an advanced understanding of the challenges for service enterprises active in the international environment;
  • a depth of knowledge of recent research in the field of service internationalisation.

Content

  • The nature and significance of services in the national and international economy
  • Methods of service internationalisation
  • Trends in the internationalisation of services
  • Theories of internationalisation and their application to services
  • The rise of international production in services
  • Barriers to the internationalisation of services
  • General Agreement on Trade in Services – World Trade Organisation and negotiations on the international provision of services
  • Knowledge intensive services and cross border knowledge transfer
  • Sector case studies – these will be selected from a range of service sub-sectors including the following: Business services; Retailing; Education; Media and entertainment; Telecommunications; Utilities; Hotel and restaurant; Finance; Transportation; Construction.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have a critical appreciation of:
  • the nature and significance of services in the national and international economy;
  • methods of, and trends in, service internationalisation;
  • theories of services internationalisation;
  • barriers to the internationalisation of services, General Agreement on Trade in Services and World Trade Organisation negotiations on services;
  • cross border knowledge transfer through services;
  • the internationalisation of a number of specific service sub-sectors.
Subject-specific Skills:
    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:

      None.


      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