Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Postgraduate Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module BUSI44K15: Global Retailing (TAUGHT)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI44K15: Global Retailing (TAUGHT)

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 4 15 Available in 2019/2020 Durham

Tied To

  • N1KR17: Business Administration (Finance) (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2010 - Apr 2013) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2016-2017 for details)
  • N1KS17: Business Administration (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2010 - Apr 2013) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2018-2019 for details)
  • N1N317: Business Administration (Finance) (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2013 - Apr 2015) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2018-2019 for details)
  • N1N417: Business Administration (Global) (for students entering between Oct 2013 - Apr 2015)

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • Global Retailing (ONLINE)

Aims

  • To engage in a critical analysis of the strategies and characteristics of successful retailers operating at a global level
  • To develop an understanding of, and ability to critically examine, the strategic and operational dimensions of retail management and their associated global supply chains
  • To equip students with an advanced conceptual and practical knowledge of the opportunities, challenges and potential futures faced by the retail industry in the global economy

Content

  • The evolution of global retailing — macro and micro perspectives
  • Global competition and retailing across borders
  • Strategic location management
  • Retail business models
  • Managing global supply chains
  • Customer-centricity and competitive advantage
  • Retail management in an international context — local and global tensions
  • Brands, labels and the retail marketing mix
  • Retail formats and the multichannel business model
  • Retail futures — opportunities, challenges and prospects
  • Sustainable Retailing — Zero waste targets, ethical supply chains, carbon reduction, etc
  • Consumer power and retail strategy — foods scares, fair trade initiatives, boycotting, etc.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • have a critical understanding of the nature, form and structure of retailing and its significance within the global economy;
  • have a grounded understanding of strategic and operational dimensions of retail management;
  • have a critical appreciation of the key drivers of competitive advantage within a global retailing context.
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • be able to examine and critically evaluate retail performance and trends;
  • be able to develop an appropriate retail management strategy;
  • be able to critically evaluate the key drivers of competitive advantage within the global retailing sector.
Key Skills
  • Effective written communication skills
  • Planning, organising and time management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • The ability to use initiative
  • Advanced skills in the interpretation of data
  • Advanced computer literacy skills

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

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading and specially-written self-study material. ï‚§
  • The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion), timetabled in blocks 28 Yes
Preparation and reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written Assignment 100% Individual written report, based on a case analysis of a retail organisation operating in the global economy 4,000 words maximum 100% Same

Formative Assessment

Students will receive feedback on their contributions in class.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.