This translation is for information purposes only. In the event of discrepancies, the Swedish-language version takes precedence.
International Business, 7.5 Credits
Internationella affärsverksamheter, 7,5 Högskolepoäng
Established: 2025-05-16
Established by: Department of Engineering Science
Applies from: H25
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
- knowledge of core theories of international trade, globalization, and foreign market entry.
Competence and skills
- compare and critically assess international business practices, particularly how Swedish multinational companies structure, lead, and manage global operations.
- assess how emerging technologies and digital transformation impact international business models and value creation.
- analyze how economic, political, and regulatory environments affect international business decisions, including risk and opportunity assessments.
- use intercultural analysis tools to interpret and solve real-world business cases involving cross-cultural collaboration.
- design and evaluate strategies for market entry, international growth, and cross-border partnerships.
Judgement and apporach
- reflect on ethical and sustainability challenges in international business and assess how companies integrate responsible practices across global operations.
Entry requirements
Bachelor of Science in business administration, informatics, system science, computer science, industrial engineering and management, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent. English equivalent to English course 6 in the Swedish upper secondary school.
The forms of assessment of student performance
Individual written exam. Active participation in seminars.
Course contents
This course offers both strategic perspectives and practical tools for understanding international business. It combines key theories on globalization, trade, market entry and country risk, with a strong focus on international business practices and intercultural management in real-world contexts. Special emphasis is placed on how Swedish multinational companies manage global operations, lead across cultures, and respond to changing economic, political, and technological conditions. The course explores how digitalization, sustainability and ethical dilemmas influence modern international operations, and how global businesses address these challenges through strategic adaptation and innovation.
The main field of study of industrial engineering and management includes industrial organization and operations management, logistics, purchasing, quality management, change management and knowledge management, with industrial marketing, financial management, business development and environmental technology as related subjects. Industrial engineering and management is defined as an interdisciplinary subject that integrates technical, organizational and economic perspectives to analyze, plan and improve resource management and business processes. The focus is on creating sustainable and effective solutions in complex systems taking into account technical, ecological, social and economic aspects from a holistic perspective. The main areas of emphasis within the main field of study of industrial engineering and management at University West are knowledge management in logistics, development of Lean and agile systems with digitalization, resilience in supply chains, decision models for data-driven decision-making, operations management and quality and operations development. The subject has a strong applied and technical profile and addresses practice-relevant challenges for companies and organizations.
Other regulations
Course grading: F/Fx/E/D/C/B/A - Insufficient, Insufficient- more work required before the credit can be awarded, Sufficient, Satisfactory, Good, Very Good, Excellent
Course language: The teaching is conducted in English.
General rules pertaining to examination at University West are available at www.hv.se.
If the student has a decision/recommendation on special support due to disability, the examiner has the right to examine the student in a customized examination form.
Cycle
Second cycle
Progressive specialization
A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Main field of study
Industrial Engineering and Management