SM9649 - Emerging Economies

The teaching and learning methods in this module will include lectures, seminars, guided reading and independent research.

The lectures (2 hours lecture per week) will be used to introduce and explain theoretical concepts. The lectures will be interactive and include class discussions. You will be encouraged to compare different analytical tools and strategic approaches. Through class discussions, we will also build links to current events and discuss real world business issues.

The seminars (2 hours seminar per week) will enable you to put your knowledge to practice by working in smaller groups. You will be producing literature reviews on your readings, analysing cases related to emerging economies by using different tools, developing possible business solutions and preparing business plans that incorporate these components. Seminars will also be an opportunity to receive regular formative assessment and feedback for learning components of the module.
Use of the modules e-learning portal will be essential as this will support the work you will be undertaking in the lectures and seminars, it will also contain additional exercises that will allow you to undertake further practice independently.

Your progress on the course will be continually assessed by both yourself and your lecturers. The problem solving approach and case in seminars means that lecturer (formative) assessment and feedback will occur continuously. Assessments will be submitted via an electronic marking platform in the e-learning portal.
You will be given a set of readings for each week and expected to undertake reading regularly for both being able to participate in class discussions during lectures and produce outputs (and improve them) during seminars. You will be expected to go beyond the guided reading and engage with the literature and data sources independently for your coursework.

The directed activities you undertake on the module are designed to ensure that you and the lecturing staff are the co-creators of knowledge. They will encourage you to create an active and self-directed learning experience, which will allow you to take responsibility for your own learning, whilst still having a high level of support.

Support will be provided to you by a member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lecture input. A small team of academic staff will be allocated to seminar groups. They will be able to provide a closer and more focused support.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal, which houses the teaching and learning plan, lecture materials, workshop and seminar exercises, current and previous assessment information, and details of additional resources.

You will be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various academic reports, conference papers and journal articles that showcase the application of various issues and topics presented in the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Analyse characteristics of the political, economic, and business environments in countries with emerging economies (MLO1)
• Understand and apply analytical tools of international business management for market entry and investment decisions (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• Using academic literature and secondary data sources to analyse and evaluate business opportunities (MLO3)


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• Increase awareness of global challenges and apply professional practice in order to identify sustainable and responsible solutions (MLO4)

Continuous formative assessment will be carried out through the interaction in the seminars. This will be supported by periodic tests that are accessed via the e-learning portal and self-marked.

Coursework (2000 words) - 50%
A research-informed business plan consisting of three main activities: (i) literature review of a theoretical framework, (ii) a data-driven evaluation of an economy either for market entry or investment (iii) implications of i and ii on business decisions related to a designated scenario. (assessing MLO1, MLO3 and MO4)


Group Project - 50 %
Groups will be asked to write a strategic report on a company internationalising to an emerging market.

(Assessing will address MLO1, MLO2 and MLO4).

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This interdisciplinary module covers topics from a broad range of fields for providing students with a multifaceted understanding of emerging economies. Building upon theories and analytical tools that are covered in previous years of the programme, and introducing new perspectives from international business management literature and other fields (such as international development, political economy, marketing, finance, organisation theory and strategic management), readings in the module will enrich students’ theoretical knowledge as well as their analytical toolkits. The module is designed to support students’ unique learning journeys and student-directed exploration. Students will be encouraged to stretch their analytical and critical thinking by integrating frameworks from different literatures and using secondary data to relate theoretical understandings, some of which are developed based on developed economies, to real life settings. The focus will be on reinforcing research skills (to a level where students feel confident to engage with academic literature as well as datasets), developing evaluative skills (to assess idiosyncrasies of business environments, opportunities, risks and managerial challenges) and building practical sustainable and responsible business solutions for emerging economy contexts.