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.

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.

Project assignment done for a real company, where groups study the real company process of expanding to foreign markets.

Pasila Campus

No exams.

English

The language of the course is English.

18.08.2025 - 10.10.2025

- Teaching session - related to chosen theme of the course - Project Assignment - Individual Assignment

02.06.2025 - 15.08.2025

22.08.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
29.08.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
05.09.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
12.09.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
19.09.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
26.09.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
03.10.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)
10.10.2025 08.00 - 10.45 PA/3003-BYOD_45 (45 henkilöä)

CONTACT
BLENDED
TR3HEMAR1
EXCH

Contact /Blended/ Virtual/ Evening/ Online

Recognizing prior learning: If the student has obtained the skills and knowledge matching the learning goals of the course elsewhere, for example at work, s/he can show the knowledge and skills through a demonstration. Please contact the responsible teacher. More information about this: https://www.haaga-helia.fi/en/recognition-learning.

Antti Leppilampi

15 - 45

Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria - grade 1
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 - grade 3
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 - grade 5
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.
Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Grading scale

Grade 0: 0-39 points
Grade 1: 40-50 points
Grade 2: 51-60 points
Grade 3: 61-75 points
Grade 4: 76-89 points
Grade 5: 90-100 points

TRALI Business Administration

0.00 cr

2.50 cr

H-5