Introduction to International Business - Lesson 13 Global Production & Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Course Description
This 16-lesson course, Introduction to International Business, provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how firms operate, compete, and collaborate in the global business environment. It explores the strategic, cultural, institutional, and ethical dimensions that shape international management decisions in an increasingly complex world.
Students will learn how multinational enterprises (MNEs), small and medium-sized firms, and emerging-market challengers expand across borders through foreign direct investment (FDI), alliances, and innovation networks. The course examines how cultural differences influence marketing, human resource management, and leadership, and how global organisations balance profitability with corporate responsibility, sustainability, and ethical governance.

The course aims to:

1. Develop an in-depth understanding of the strategic, organisational, and institutional factors influencing international business operations.
2. Equip students with analytical tools to assess market entry options, cross-border partnerships, and global value chains.
3. Foster awareness of cultural diversity and its implications for communication, leadership, and marketing.
4. Encourage responsible and ethical thinking aligned with global sustainability goals (ESG, SDGs).
5. Strengthen critical, reflective, and practical skills essential for future global managers and entrepreneurs.

The course has 16 lessons divided into FOUR blocks, including
Block 1: Global Strategy & Structure – Internationalisation theories, FDI, global R&D, alliances, and competitive strategy.
Block 2: Cultural, Marketing & HR Dimensions – Cross-cultural management, international marketing, product innovation, and global talent development.
Block 3: Global Trade, Finance & Supply Chain – Institutions, trade agreements, logistics, and sustainable supply chains.
Block 4: Ethics, Governance & Sustainability – CSR, ESG frameworks, and the future of responsible globalisation.

Assessment includes:
• Mid-Term Group Project (40%) – Market entry and strategy presentation.
• Final Exam (60%) – Integrative analysis of strategy, culture, trade, and ethics.

The materials included are extremely rich and integrated, including complete PowerPoints, detailed lesson plans, previews and reviews, weekly tests, reading materials, case studies, and video links, exercises, and group activities. And there are two major assessments (mid-term group project and final exam).

Target Audience
This course is designed for a wide range of learners — from secondary and post-secondary students to higher education and professional training. Its flexible structure and resource-rich content make it equally valuable for teachers seeking ready-to-use materials, institutions developing IB curricula, and individuals interested in global business literacy.