This course provides students with an understanding of the essentials related to (international) strategic alliances and joint ventures. It not only covers the key aspects (such as formation, organisation, and risks) of strategic alliances and joint ventures that business managers should be aware of but also gives opportunities for students to practice and share their own thinking through presentation and group work. This course is expected to be very informative and interactive.

Lectures: 6 x 2 hours.

Practical Classes: 4 x 2 hour case study workshops.

Please refer to MyCampus for timetable.

None

ILO

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aims of this course are:

■ to provide an overview of key concepts and issues related to strategic alliances and joint ventures;

■ to explore why and how strategic alliances and joint ventures are formed, staffed, organised and managed;

■ to identify and critically analyse benefits and risks of using strategic alliances and joint ventures;

■ to identify and critically analyse the cultural, managerial and environmental differences in international strategic alliances and joint ventures, and the ways to address them to achieve alliance/venture success.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Differentiate key conceptualisations of strategic alliances and joint ventures. 

2. Evaluate various types and structures of strategic alliances and joint ventures.

3. Appraise the staffing, management and organisation aspects of strategic alliances and joint ventures.

4. Develop strategies to manage strategic alliances and joint ventures and address relevant challenges.

5. Develop negotiation, communication, teamwork and critical thinking skills in a collaborative setting.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's

summative assessment.