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.

6 contact classes Mondays in Pasila Campus and 2 classes online in Zoom 17:40-20:30
Individual Assignments

Hollensen, S. Global Marketing, newest edition, parts I, II & III

Individual task to analyze a firm's internationalization potential in a target market.

Pasila Campus

All Tasks in Moodle

English

Individual task to analyze a firm's internationalization potential in a target market.

18.08.2025 - 10.10.2025

5 individual learning assignments see Moodle

02.06.2025 - 15.08.2025

Drivers for Globalization
Value chains & networks
Theories of internationalization
International trade
Development of international competitiveness
Market Research & Market entry modes
Sustainability
Budgeting and planning the foreign Entry

IBEB3PA1
EVENING
CONTACT
BLENDED
EXCH

If the student has obtained the relevant knowledge and skills elsewhere, for example at work, s/he can demonstrate the knowledge and skills through the RPL process. See Peppi for further DEMO course information and instructions

Timo Rima, Marcus Störkel

15 - 45

See information in Moodle, the attendance for all classes will be affecting the grade:
From August 1, 2024, attendance is required for all Haaga-Helia course implementations—contact, online, and blended—during the scheduled teaching sessions.
If your absences exceed 25%, your grade will be lowered by one grade point.
If your absences exceed 50%, you will fail the course.

INTBBA International Business

0.00 cr

2.50 cr

H-5