Expanding to Foreign Markets - Study guide

After completion of this course or the equivalent assessment of prior learning, the student will be able to:
- Identify the motives and risks of internationalization.
- Compare and contrast internationalization processes and strategies.
- Differentiate how multinational companies operate (location, communication, decision making, etc.)
- Compare and assess the suitability of various market entry modes to identify the optional ways to grow in selected markets
- Articulate the process to create a partner network
- Recognize the different strategic options of the company to make a reliable market assessment
- Explain and criticize the challenges and opportunities SMEs and MNCs face in terms of ethics, responsibility and sustainability when selling to markets abroad.
- Compare the cultural environment of business in developed and emerging markets.

- Terminology and definitions
- Reasons for companies to internationalize
- Prerequisites for successful internationalization/globalization
- Cultural environment of international business
- Ethics, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and governance in international business operations
- Understanding emerging markets
- Market entry strategies (export entry modes, FDI, contractual entry modes, projects)
- Partners, networks and international value chain
- Strategy and organization in the international firm
- Target market screening and selection

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

Assessment criteria
The student:
- knows the basic motives and risks of internationalization
- is able to identify some of the opportunities and challenges the international business environment poses.
- has a rudimentary knowledge of operation modes in foreign markets.
- knows the basic principles of internationalizing a firm’s value chain and utilizing value networks.
- is able to understand SME firm's value chain activity and relate it to a theory or model.
- is able to understand the challenges and opportunities companies face in terms of ethics, responsibility and sustainability when selling to markets abroad.

Assessment criteria
The student:
- knows the different motives and risks of internationalization.
- is able to analyze the opportunities and challenges the international business environment poses.
- has a good knowledge of various operation modes in global markets.
- is familiar with internationalizing a firm’s value chain and utilizing value networks.
- is able to participate as part of a team in analyzing the target market and drawing up a basic internationalization plan for a value chain activity of a firm.
- is able to explain the challenges and opportunities companies face in terms of ethics, responsibility and sustainability when selling to markets abroad.

Assessment criteria
- is able to identify proactive and reactive motives as well as the main risks associated with internationalization
- is able to analyze the relevant opportunities and challenges the international business environment poses.
- has a solid knowledge of various operation modes in foreign markets.
- has an analytical comprehension of how to internationalize a firm’s value chain and utilize value networks.
- is able to analyze the target market by choosing relevant information and draw up a well justified internationalization plan for a value chain activity of a firm.
- is able to explain and criticize the challenges and opportunities companies face in terms of ethics, responsibility and sustainability when selling to markets abroad.

Contact lessons and project work.

Class-based learning and team project, assignments, and independent work.

Inquiry learning
Own reading
Independent studying
Learning by doing

Books: Cavusgil S.T., Knight G., Riesenberger J.R. 3rd Edition or newer. International Business: The New Realities. Hollensen, S. Pearson 2014. Global Marketing. E-publication 2017 also available. Other possible material provided/suggested by the teacher.

Cases and examples are connected to working life.

Pasila Campus

Exams and quizzes are available and each participant is allowed to to take quizzes at own speed during the course time before deadline time. Do your best effort at once since there is no re-take or up-grading possibility. No exam.

English

- Participants are of different nationalities
- Cases are of international character
- The course is organized in English.

23.03.2026 - 15.05.2026

Each individual should complete all quizzes and assignments.

Course is open according to separate timetable. Make sure that you obey the deadlines.

TR3HEHRL2
VIRTUAL
INSTRUCTED
TR3HEECO2
EXCH
TR3HEINT

You can proceed in your studies by
- using recognition of prior learning (transfer crediting and demonstrations (i.e. RPL) or
Contact the teachers before the course starts if you have considerable prior learning about the subject already.

Anne Leinovaara-Matomäki

30 - 100

All quizzes will be assessed as indicated and different quizzes have different weights (see Moodle for detailed instructions).

TRALI Business Administration

0.00 cr

5.00 cr

H-5