BTEC LEVEL 3
IN BUSINESS-YEAR 13
MICHAELMAS TERM 2024
TERM 1: 02/09/2024 – 06/12/2024
UNIT NUMBER: 5
GUIDED LEARNING HOURS: 60
UNIT LEVEL: 3
LECTURER’S NAME: MR. SAMSON MUTUKU
RECOMMENDED READING:
Textbooks
1. HAMILTON, L. and WEBSTER, P. (2018) The International Business Environment. 4th ed. Oxford: OUP.
2. NORTHOUSE, P. (2018) Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th ed. London: SAGE Publications.
3. WILD, J. and WILD, K. (2019) International Business: The Challenges of Globalization (Global Edition). 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson.
Author: Samson Mutuku
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Introduction
International business has a significant influence on a nation’s economy. It takes place in a globally competitive environment, involving
organisations of all types and sizes. Organisations engaged in international business activities need to take into account a number of factors,
such as the culture and politics of the country with which they want to do business. Governments can influence international business to
maximise the benefits to the national economy and countries join international trading blocs to promote and protect international business.
In this unit, you will explore the benefits and issues associated with international business activities. You will investigate the economic and wider
external environments that influence the choice of international markets. You will also examine the strategic and operational approaches to
developing business in an international context. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from
across your programme.
This unit will give you a greater understanding of the global business environment to help inform your career choices. The unit gives you the
skills to undertake advanced or specialist studies in international business at higher education level.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
A. Examine the influences on the growth of globalisation
B. Explore the structure of the global economy
C. Examine strategic and operational approaches to developing international business.
Author: Samson Mutuku
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WEEK
Week 1
02/09/24-06/09/24
TOPIC/ SUB TOPIC
●
●
Welcoming students
Expectations about the module and general conduct
●
Introduction of the module and discuss students and lecturer expectations.
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
Learning Aim, A: Examine the influences on the growth of globalisation
A1: Globalisation



The features and benefits of international trade, including imports and exports, international
specialisation, increased standard of living, wider variety of goods available, technology transfer,
the impact of international specialisation, creation of employment opportunities, international
cooperation between countries.
The features of globalisation, including the growth of trading blocs and their purpose, the growth of
international transport systems, the international mobility of labour, international currency
exchange, the impact of the growth of technology on business communications.
The challenges of globalisation, including the economic and political influence of major
international businesses, population movements, the increase in protectionist economic policies.
Class activity:
● Brainstorm activity – Discuss the features of globalisation
A2: Factors influencing globalisation
Week 2
09/09/24-13/09/24
 The influence of business organisations on the growth of the global economy.
 Reasons for conducting business internationally, e.g., growth and diversification, access to new
markets, additional revenue streams, increased market share, brand exploitation, market leadership,
technological dominance, gain comparative advantage, generate efficiency savings arising from
internal economies of scale, external economies of scale, preferential tax rates or government
incentives.
Class activities:
● Group work –Demonstrating understand of the factors influencing globalisation.
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HOD
COMMENTS
WEEK
TOPIC/ SUB TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
A2: Factors influencing globalisation
Week 3
16/09/24-20/09/24
Week 4
23/09/24-27/09/24

Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of international markets, e.g., developed economies,
emerging markets, less developed economies.
 Factors influencing the choice of market, e.g., type of product, operating costs, size of market,
political stability, regulatory.
 Characteristics and features of organisations and agencies involved in international business, e.g.,
exporting organisations, importing organisations, multinational organisations, associated
organisations, e.g., logistics and marketing government agencies providing support and advice to
international businesses.
Class activities:
● Discussion forum –Advantages and disadvantages of international markets.
● Discussion of task one requirements (A.P1, A.P2, A.M1 & A.D1)
Learning Aim, B: Explore the structure of the global economy
B1 International trading associations
 Purpose and features of associations and trading arrangements in international business.
 World Trade Organization (WTO).
 Customs unions and common markets, e.g., European Union (EU), MERCOSUR
(common market of South American nations), Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
 Free-trade areas such as USMCA (the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is
to replace the North American Free Trade Area), AANZFTA (the ASEANA-AustraliaNew Zealand Free Trade Area).
Class activities:
Students to research on the purpose and features of associations and trading arrangements in
international business.
Week 5
30/09/24-04/10/24
B2 The finance of international trade
 Methods of financing international trade, e.g., cash in advance, letters of credit, open
account, consignment, international credit cards, international bank transfers, commercial
payment systems.
 Agencies that support international business, e.g., banks, chambers of commerce, regional
advisory organisations.
 Government support for international businesses, e.g., trade delegations, export finance
advisers, trade fairs, identifying international partners, grants for international promotions.
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HOD
COMMENTS
WEEK
TOPIC/ SUB TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
Class activities:
● Pair work – Discuss various ways in which the Government of Kenya supports International
Businesses.
Discussion of task one requirements (B.P3, B.P4 & B.M2)
Week 6
MID-TERM TEST
07/10/24-08/10/24
Week 7 / 8
MID-TERM BREAK
14/10/24-21/10/24
B3 Barriers to international business
Week 8
22/10/24-25/10/24
Week 9
04/11/24-08/11/24
Week 10
11/11/24-15/11/24
Factors that impact the growth of international business.

Protectionism in international markets, e.g., to protect infant industries, to protect
employment/local business.
 Features of the methods for protecting markets and their impact on the volume and value of
international business, e.g., tariffs, customs duties, currency restrictions, quotas, subsidies.
 Features of the barriers to trade, e.g., trade restrictions, exchange rate volatility, legal and
regulatory systems, financial requirements, operating risks, economic sanctions, political
pressures.
B4 Exchange rates

The factors influencing a country’s exchange rate, e.g., inflation, interest rates, public debt, terms
of trade, political stability, economic policies.
 Impact of currency rate fluctuations on a country and individual export and import businesses.
Class activities:
● Research activity –In pairs, research on the impact of currency rate fluctuations in Kenya
Discussion of task one requirements (B.D2)
Learning Aim C: Examine strategic and operational approaches to developing international business
C1 Strategic aims and objectives
 Factors that can influence the determination of business strategy for large and small businesses
using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.
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HOD
COMMENTS
WEEK
TOPIC/ SUB TOPIC



Week 11
18/11/24-22/11/24
Week 12
25/11/24-29/11/24
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
Strategic aims and objectives of international businesses at different stages in their development,
including market opportunities, profitability, growth, costs, efficiency, diversification, to increase
shareholder value, corporate social responsibility.
Factors influencing the strategic direction of small and large business organisations, e.g. the speed
of establishing operations, access to local business knowledge and expertise, cost control, risk
control, growth potential.
Strategies for operating internationally, e.g., subsidiary businesses, joint ventures, partnerships,
agencies, licensing, franchising, subcontracting and outsourcing.
Class activities:
● Brainstorm activity – Discuss the factors influencing the strategic direction of small and large
business organisations.
Discussion of task two requirements (C.P5, C.P6, C.M3, C.M4 & C.D3)
C2 External influences
 STEEPLE analysis of factors that influence the external environment in which business
organisations operate:
 Social and cultural, e.g., language, social structures, religion, values and attitudes to work.
 Technological, e.g., reverse innovation for less developed economies
 Economic, e.g., tax rate on profits
 Environmental, e.g., regulations on sustainability and recycling
 Political, e.g., stability of political systems in a country
 Legal and regulatory, e.g., intellectual property rights, corporate
 governance regulation
 Ethical factors, e.g., equal pay, workforce health and safety
Class activities:
● Discussion forum – Use of STEEPLE tool to analyse factors that influence the external environment.
C3 Operational implications
 Factors to take into account when implementing an international business strategy, including
costs, expertise required, risk appetite of owner, contribution of the functional areas, including
sales and marketing, finance, human resources, production/operations, administration, research
and development.
 Re-engineering products and services to meet the demands and preferences of international
markets, e.g. manufacturing vehicles to take
Discussion of task two requirements
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HOD
COMMENTS
WEEK
TOPIC/ SUB TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
COMMENTS
Week 13
02/12/24-05/12/24
Students to submit the assignments and Term End
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HOD
COMMENTS
Student Responsibilities
Rule
Requirement
Consequences of Non-Conformance
1
Class Attendance
You should attain at least 80% of the total number of the required contact
hours.
Failure to attain the minimum attendance without official
prior communication will lead to disqualification from the
class and subsequent re-taking of the unit.
2
Punctuality & Class Timings
You should fully observe start and end time for every Class.
3
Class Participation
4
Assignment Deadlines
5
Assignment Milestones
You are required to actively participate during lectures as well as any
class/group discussions.
You should complete and present/submit your assignments within the
agreed timelines. Deadlines SHALL apply uniformly to all students.
You should meet the set milestones within the term for every
assignment. Presentations for each milestone will be done as
communicated by the tutor. This will ensure that you are able to finish
your entire assignment within the overall deadline provided.
Consistent lateness and failure to heed warnings from the tutor
may lead to disqualification from the class and subsequent retaking of the unit.
N/A
6
7
Authenticity & Originality of
Assignments
Course Evaluation
8
Mid-term Test
9
Plagiarism
10 Mobile Phones and PDAs
You should demonstrate originality and ownership of your work. Do
NOT copy your fellow classmate’s work.
The main assessment will be through assignment that will be submitted
at the end of the term. However, progressively you will be required to
undertake
Continuous Assessments Tests to reinforce your understanding of the
concepts.
You will be required to take a sit-in test in the course of the term
You should properly REFERENCE all your work using the Harvard
Style of Referencing.
Your mobile gadgets should be switched OFF or put on SILENT during
class time. You should not send messages or receive any phone calls
while learning is in progress.
Late Submissions will NOT be assessed.
You will not be allowed to move on to the next activity
without successfully completing the preceding activity. This
may eventually compromise your timely completion of the
entire assignment.
Work copied from fellow classmate(s) will be awarded a Refer
grade for all the students involved.
Failure to do complete assessments may lead to a Refer in
the final grading.
No make-up test will be provided without prior official
communication.
Plagiarised work will NOT be assessed.
Repeated violation and failure to listen to warnings from
your tutor will attract appropriate sanctions as stipulated in
the Academic Conduct Policy.
Instructor’s Signature ……………………………………………………………
Date…………………………………………
HOD’s Signature…………………………………………………………………
Date…………………………………………
IV’s Signature …………………………………………………….....................…
Date………………………………..………..
Evaluation dates………………………………………………….……………
No of evaluation submitted ...………………
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