Winter Semester

Bachelor Course overview for exchange students Bielefeld School of Business

5 IBM 01 International Management Accounting - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
By completing the module students have the following knowledge and skills:

  • They can describe the basics of international management and essential institutional conditions regarding to international usiness activities.
  • They are able to explain strategies of internationalisation and forms of organisation of international companies.
  • They can describe concepts and key tasks of management accounting as well as the role of the controller in different countries.
  • They are able to consider influencing factors of trend and implementation of management accounting, processes of divergence as well as convergence and their effects on management accounting.
  • They are able to explain the influences of national culture on management accounting due to common theories.
  • They can apply different quantitative and qualitative management accounting instruments relating to international business activities.
  • They can identify concrete problems in international companies, classify, analyse and solve them with the help of adequate management accounting instruments.
  • They can understand and explain the interface function of management accounting and the cooperation between management accounting and other corporate functions in the context of international business activities.
  • They have the ability to organise reading material and information from up-to-date specialist literature, to analyse and critically interpret it.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Strategies of internationalisation
  • Organisational structures
  • International comparative management accounting
  • Role of the controller and the functions of management accounting in different countries
  • Cultural influences on management accounting
  • Appliance of different strategical management accounting tools related to international context
  • Management of exchange rate risks
  • Selected problems of management accounting in hyperinflationary countries
  • Selected aspects of management accounting within different areas of operation
  • Selected aspects of international transfer prices
  • International information management

Requirements
Basic knowledge in cost accounting as taught in the module 5 CFR 22 “Internal Accounting (Internes Rechnungswesen)” is recommended.
Materials used for the course

  • PowerPoint slides, specially developed exercises, references to scientific articles
  • If applicable, presentation of scientific, subject-specific articles

Exam
Written examination (1.5 hours) or assignment

5 IBM 02 International Marketing - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

At the end of the module, students are able to distinguish between different aspects of international marketing. Students are able to apply the 4 Ps in an international context and analyse and evaluate the various market requirements in order to achieve marketing objectives. Students are eventually able to create marketing strategies for companies that operate internationally.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Understanding international marketing as a coordination task
  • Forms of internationalisation (market selection and valuation)
  • Market entry strategies (waterfall and sprinkler strategy)
  • Specialties of international marketing (4 P’s)
  • Assessment of standardisation and differentiation in international marketing
  • Coordination and cultural distances between markets
  • Using customer satisfaction analyses as a basis for the strategy building process
  • Using CRM tools in international marketing relating to the coordination of all marketing activities

Requirements

None

Exam

Written examination or oral examination or oral presentation. The examination will take place in English.

5 IBM 03 International Human Resource Management - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

By completing the module students dispose of the following skills:

  • They are able to explain the characteristics of the international human resource management (IHRM) in contrast to the purely nationally oriented human resource management (HRM).
  • They are able to describe the central issues of HRM in an international context.
  • They have the ability to understand and describe the effects of the internationality of companies on the various areas of activity of HRM.
  • They are capable of analysing fundamental problems of HRM and deriving strategic and operational measures.
  • They are able to apply what they have learned to practical case studies.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Introduction and basics of IHRM: group work related to the delineation between HRM and IHRM on the basis of articles
  • International recruitment and selection: exercise sheet to be worked out in intercultural groups; analysis of job descriptions for international HR managers (real cases) and derivation of improvement potential
  • Personnel placement across the borders: exercise sheet to be worked out in intercultural groups; analysis of job descriptions for international HR managers (real cases) and derivation of improvement potential
  • Personnel development and evaluation of efficiency in international companies: group work on designing successful global performance management at the example of Germany, China and the USA
  • Development of intercultural competence: cultural comparison of home country to further countries on the methodical basis of the Hofstede model; self-assessment of intercultural preferences on the methodical basis of the IPT tool; role play related to a business practical example – an international project in the tensionfield between economic success and relationship orientation; cultural analysis for China on the methodical basis of the IPT tool; role play related to a business practical example – negotiations with Chinese business partners; cultural analysis for India on the methodical basis of the IPT tool; role play related to a business practical example – feedback with Indian business partners
  • International charge determination: calculation of target gross income in case of assignments on the basis of the balance sheet approach
  • Organisation of international cooperation: group work on effectiveness of different media use in the frame of virtual leadership and virtual teamwork

Requirements
Basic knowledge in human resource management and business organisation as taught in the  module “Principles of Business
Administration (Grundlagen der BWL)” (5 MG 02) is recommended. Advanced knowledge in human resource management as taught in the modules 5 P/O 01 “Leadership (Personalführung)” as well as 5 P/O 32 and 5 P/O 35 “Human Resources Management 1 and 2 (Personalwirtschaft 1 und 2)” is also recommended.

Materials used for the course
Set of slides, exercise sheets, articles, real business cases, templates for cultural assessment and comparison, templates for
calculating target gross income

Further particularities: guest lectures held by business professionals – globally leading regional enterprises

Exam
Written examination (1.5 hours)

5 IBM 04 International Logistics - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
By completing the module students are able to

  • describe the fundamentals of the production and logistics networks in a global environment,
  • handle problems in the field of production and logistics management under realistic conditions (time pressure, uncertainty and changing economic conditions) independently,
  • identify, assess and present action alternatives due to company and environmental analyses under consideration of interdependence between functions and areas of influence of an international operating company,
  • select usual techniques and work methods which are used in the production, logistics and business administration and apply them relating to the case,
  • frame strategic objectives and consider or adjust them in the case of repeated operational decisions,
  • recognize interdependencies between internal and external corporate influences and take account of them during the process of planning and decision making,
  • organise work in teams under consideration of the project management and to record results of the process of planning and decision making,
  • present and stand up for the projects results in front of other team members and outsiders.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE
Operational planning, decisions andmonitoring relating to procurement,
manufacturing and distribution:

  • Raw materials procurement (supplier, quantity, just in time (JIT), warehouse, entry inspection)
  • Transportation (warehouse, wholesalers, customers)
  • Human resource decisions (recruitment, rationalisation measures, coaching)
  • Price differentiation (wholesalers, end customer)
  • Freight forwarder vs. transport companies (bid comparison, delivery priority)
  • Sales (price, customer service)

Strategic planning, decisions and monitoring relating to procurement, manufacturing and distribution:

  • Fundamental orientation (make or buy (MoB), e-commerce, internal process optimisation, suppliers, order quantities, delivery cycle)
  • Establishment of regional warehouses (structure, purchase, cooperation)
  • Strategic alliance (cooperation with suppliers of trading goods) — Logistics service provider (short or long-term cooperation)

Requirements
Basic knowledge in the field of production and logistics is recommended.
Materials used for the course
PowerPoint slides, smart board, videos, guest lectures (e.g. managers from UPS and Wallenius Willhelmsen)
Kinds of assignments the students will complete
Group work (e.g. preparing and presenting a poster on logistical challenges and solutions in different countries), solving
qualitative and quantitative case studies
Exam
Combination of project work and paper and presentations in case of a business game or written examination containing only essay questions (1.5 hours)
Literature

  • Bowersox, D. J.; Closs, D. J. & Cooper, M. B. (2013), Supply Chain Logistics Management, McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
  • Czinkota, M.; Ronkainen, I. A., & Moffett, M. H. (2011), International Business, Wiley.
  • Heizer, J.; Render, B. & Munson, C. (2017), Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management, Pearson.
  • Hill, C.W.; Hult, G. T. M. (2018), Global Business Today, McGraw-Hill.
  • Jacobs, R. & Chase, R. (2017), Operations and Supply Chain Management, McGraw-Hill.
5 IBM 05 International Taxation - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
By completing the module students dispose of the following skills:

  • They can explain basic terms in the context of taxation of individuals, corporations and business partnerships.
  • They are capable of describing the procedure of the determination of the income tax, corporation tax and trade tax.
  • They are able to explain several types of legal forms connected to the legal consequences.
  • They are able to apply their knowledge in tax cases recognizing the fiscal problems and assigning the correct legal consequences.
  • They can explain the problems of double taxation and the steps in relation to their reduction.
  • They can assess tax regulations.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Company profit taxes: income tax, corporate tax, trade tax
  • Taxation of national companies regarding various forms of organisations
  • Fiscal configuration (for example tax group, transfer of company assets, restructuring)
  • Basics of the international corporate taxation like double taxation, less taxation, double taxation agreements and European law
  • Taxation of foreign investors in Germany (inbound investments)
  • Taxation of international activities of domestic investors (outbound investments)
  • Determination of profits (transfer prices, determining business success)

Requirements
None
Exam
Presentation = 50% and written examination (60 min) = 50%
Literature

  • Doernberg, R.L.: International Taxation in a nutshell

5 IBM 06 International Human Resource Management and International Business Law - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

On successful completion of the module, students are able to

  • explain the special features of International Human Resource Management (IHRM) in contrast to the purely nationally-oriented Human Resource Management (HRM).
  • understand and describe the impact of the internationalisation of companies on the various fields of action of HRM.
  • analyse fundamental problems of IHRM and derive target-oriented strategic and operative measures.
  • contextualise key legal frameworks governing international trade.
  • identify and assess legal risks.
  • apply their acquired knowledge to practical issues.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

International Human Resource Management

  • Introduction to and principles of IHRM
  • International staff deployment and recruiting
  • Intercultural competence development
  • Staff development and performance measurement in international companies

International Business Law:

  • Legal framework for international business
  • International regulatory and governance frameworks
  • Legal bases under EU law
  • Overview over different legal cultures (esp. common law vs. civil law)
  • Compliance and liability risks 

Requirements
None

Exam
Written examination (English) or oral examination (English) or a combination of term paper and presentation (both in English) or written examination and presentation (both in English) or written examination and term paper (both in English)

5 CFR 48 Data Analytics and Computational Finance - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/COMPETENCES
This course provides students with the skills to apply quantitative and analytical methods to make informed business decisions within a management and finance context. The course emphasizes data-driven approaches, covering statistical analysis and predictive modelling methods that are essential for effective management (of financial decision making). Through practical case studies (e.g. in finance or management accounting), students will learn to utilize data analysis tools to enhance decisionmaking processes.
CONTENTS

  • Introduction to Data-Driven Management: Understanding the importance of data in managerial decision-making and an overview of analytical tools and techniques.
  • Descriptive and Inferential Statistics for Management: Techniques for summarizing data and making inferences to
  • support business decisions.
  • Predictive Analytics and Modelling: Methods such as regression analysis and forecasting to predict future trends and outcomes.
  • Data Collection and Management: Best practices for data sourcing, cleaning, and organizing to ensure data integrity
  • and usability. 
  • Case Studies: Applying analytical methods to real-world scenarios to solve business problems and improve management practices.

Participation requirements
Basics in statistics
Form of assessment
Written or oral exam
Requirements for credit assignment
Passing of exam

5 MKT 43 Mobile Marketing - 3 ECTS or 6 ECTS

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides first an overview of mobile business and then a focus on special areas like mobile marketing and
mobile payment.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The goal is to provide a systematic presentation of the operational practices of (international) mobile business, including instruments of the mobile business system, technologies, applications and the (international) market. The course aims to impart an awareness of the continuous changes in these major fields, alongside with changes in international mobile business approaches, market strategies and practices. Its objective is to analyze the nature of mobile business at the international, regional, national, institutional and corporate levels, to provide the student with an understanding of the concepts and techniques related to international mobile business operations and to discuss the major current events in this field. Main topics are technical basics, economic fundamentals, mobile application scenarios, mobile marketing, mobile payment, security.
AGENDA
Introduction and examples

  •  What is the definition of mobile marketing/business?
  • Who are the players in the area of mobile business?
  • What exactly does it mean to be mobile?
  • Which implications can be made for “to be mobile”?
  • What are the applications/services? In detail: “mobile marketing”
  • Where are challenges and risks?

Requirements
None
Methodology
In this course the following methods, techniques and aids will be employed: (1) lectures to provide an in-depth exposition of subjects treated, and to clarify, illustrate and supplement reading and research assignments; (2) class discussion of the subjects covered and of questions raised in lectures and readings; (3) application of mobile business by participation in case
studies; (4) question and answer sessions with professor directing questions to particular students; (5) presentation of a research paper on a topic related to the course content; (6) oral class presentations by students with particularly relevant experiences.
Assignments and student
responsibilities
(1) Study of textbooks and of selected parts of other books and periodicals as specified in the assignments; (2) research on and writing of a 15-page paper (space 1, font 12), complete with footnotes and bibliography, presentation and discussion of results in front of the class; (3) review of articles and news items in current periodicals and journals dealing with mobile business theory and practices; (4) study and solutions of cases as specified in the assignments.
Assignments and grading
Research paper = 30%
Presentation = 20%
Final exam = 50%
Literature – Useful readings

  • Krum, Cindy, Mobile Marketing, Pearson education – MAIN BOOK!!!
  • Giaglis George M., Mobile business: technologies, applications and markets
  • Bhuvan Unhelkar, Handbook of Research in Mobile Business: Technical, Methodological, and Social Perspectives, Idem
  • Group
  • Jouni Paavilainen; Mobile Business Strategies: Understanding the Technologies and Opportunities, Wireless Press

Literature –Recommended journals

  • International Journal of Information Management
  • Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
5 MG 04 Intercultural Management - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
At the end of the module, the students are able to differentiate between the different aspects of cross culture by understanding the different dimensions. They are able to apply different negotiation styles in the international environment
and to analyse and evaluate the different habits of people in different cultures and markets in order to achieve marketing goals. Finally, they are able to communicate properly in any international surrounding.

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

The students …

  • understand and explain fundamental concepts and models of intercultural management.
  • analyse intercultural business situations, taking into account different cultural perspectives.
  • reflect on their own cultural impact and its influence on their perception, communication and decision-making in an nternational context.
  • develop and justify culturally sensitive and context-appropriate options of action for practical business management contexts.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Principles of intercultural management (terms, objectives and relevance)
  • Cultural concepts and models and their critical classification
  • Cultural impact, perception and stereotypes, self-perception and external perception
  • Intercultural communication in business contexts
  • Organisational structure in international companies
  • Virtual teams
  • Intercultural marketing

Requirements

English B2

Exam

Written examination or term paper or oral examination or oral presentation or a combination of two of the aforementioned forms of assessment (English)

5 SP 01 Wirtschaftsenglisch (Business English) - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

At the end of the module, students are able to distinguish between different aspects of international marketing. Students are able to apply the 4 Ps in an international context and analyse and evaluate the various market requirements in order to achieve marketing objectives. Students are eventually able to create marketing strategies for companies that operate internationally.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Understanding international marketing as a coordination task
  • Forms of internationalisation (market selection and valuation)
  • Market entry strategies (waterfall and sprinkler strategy)
  • Specialties of international marketing (4 P’s)
  • Assessment of standardisation and differentiation in international marketing
  • Coordination and cultural distances between markets
  • Using customer satisfaction analyses as a basis for the strategy building process
  • Using CRM tools in international marketing relating to the coordination of all marketing activities

Requirements

None

Exam

Written examination or oral examination or oral presentation. The examination will take place in English.

5 WI 26 Technology of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
On successful completion of the module, students have the following knowledge and skills:

  • Students are able to explain the basic concepts of customising up-to-date standard ERP systems.
  • They are able to select ERP systems and systematically implement them in a business application environment.
  • Students are able to make adjustments to a selected system in the form of customising and can extend the application by adjustment/enhancement programming.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE
The transfer of conceptual knowledge takes place in the following areas:

  • Process models for the introduction of ERP systems
  • Technical organisation of ERP projects
  • Configuration options/customising of ERP systems in operational use, in particular mapping of organisational structures,
  • international application and the process mapping of selected scenarios
  • History and current development of the adjustment/enhancement programming in relation to multitenancy operation and DevOps
  • Practical exercises to deepen and consolidate practical skills in the areas of adjustment/enhancement programming and customising are scenario-based in a market-leading ERP system.
5 SP 31 Starting a Business – Business Project - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
By the end of the course students have

  • Upgraded and are able to apply their English skills in an international environment,
  • Acquired and are able to apply management skills,
  • Upgraded and can apply cross-cultural communication skills,
  • Enhanced and can apply project and team management skills,
  • Upgraded and are able to apply presentation and academic writing skills in a real-life environment.
  • Acquired level B2/C1 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Personnel and organisation
  • Marketing: marketing mix, market segmentation
  • Legal format
  • Finance and accounting
  • Aspects of localisation of a company
  • Strategy and planning, business environment: SWOT, report writing, presentation

The course contents serve a clear project focus, i.e. to set up a virtual company.

Requirements
English skills on a B2 level are recommended.
Exam
Presentation: 50% oral presentation, 50% written draft
Literature
Selected articles/chapters of:

  • Cullen, W., and Lehniger, D.: B for Business. 1st ed. Ismaning: Hueber
  • Jones, L. and Alexander, R.: New International Business English
  • Pletger, P.: English for Human Resources
5 SP 94/04 International Networking and Collaboration Project - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
On successful completion of the module, students have the following knowledge and skills:

  • They can organise themselves independently in teams that are partly international and in communication with international partners, target groups and students.
  • They are able to extract specific information from English-language research publications.
  • They are able to research backgrounds, profiles and potentials of partners, foreignlanguage/international target groups, products and technical solutions and to present and use them
  • when developing the project, also using technical skills.
  • They improve their intercultural awareness and action competence.
  • They are reasonably proficient in English to the extent that they can confidently handle teamwork,
  • presentations, project reports, video conferences, research and collaboration negotiations.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE
Guidance and coaching regarding the oral and written acquisition of partners, presentation of profiles, products and results in IT-related activities such as:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Project management
  • Technology-driven communications and marketing
  • Product design and web design
  • Virtual teambuilding
  • Social media communications
  • Intercultural perception and corresponding action, especially in the digital space
  • Oral and written communication in English (contact, onboarding, digital collaboration, articles, reports, presentation)
  • Use of technical English with knowledge of specific IT, entrepreneurship and project management terminology

Requirements
None
Exam/Form of assessment
Project work

5 SP 33 Français des Affaires - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
The students are proficient in French business vocabulary. They can implement a business idea into a company creation (in a
French-speaking country) and are able to prepare, compile and present a business plan (plan d’affaires) in French.
CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • Job search, applications and employment in the French-speaking world
  • Principles of the tax and social system of France
  • Business models and structures
  • Company location decisions
  • Marketing, distribution, sales
  • Financing of a project, accounting, environmental factors

Requirements
None
Exam
Presentation:
50% written draft (business plan/plan d’affaires)  50% oral presentation of the business plan
Literature

  • L’entreprise – simulations globales, Hachette langue étrangère
  • Découverte de la France économique, Klett Verlag
  • Dictionnaire de l’entreprise, Hatier
5 SP 35 Español en la Gestión Internacional - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

  • Introduction to business language and focused application in practical project
  • Acquisition of competences in economic communication
  • Deepen skills in teamwork, presentation and negotiation techniques
  • Acquire level B2/C1 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

  • New forms of business
  • Intercultural economic communication
  • Development of a business plan for a virtual company

Requirements
Spanish skills on a B1 level are recommended.
Assignments and grading
Report = 50%
Presentation = 50%
Literature

  • M. de Prada, M. Bovet: Hablando de Negocios, edelsa, última edición
  • M. González, F. Martín, C. Rodrigo, E. Verdía: Colegas 1+2, Klett/Difusión, 2000
  • M. Franciulli, C. Vega Carney: Informes de los Negocios, Arco Libros, 2002
  • Gisèle Prost, Alfredo N. Fernández: Al Día nivel inicial, SGEL, 2006
  • Informaciones corrientes del Internet y de la revista Emprendedores www.emprendedores.es
5 SP 42 French for Work and Everyday Life - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

On successful completion of the module, course participants are able to

  • deal with simple business and everyday communication, both orally and in writing, in a Francophone country,
  • perceive and assess cultural characteristics. 

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

Dealing with everyday situations such as:

  • explaining one’s own and other people’s personal background or asking about it.
  • orienting oneself in a Francophone environment.
  • finding out about events, procedures and contact persons.
  • making, accepting and rejecting proposals.
  • describing events.
  • extracting information from the media.
  • dealing with simple business and everyday communication in writing.
  • identifying and explaining cultural peculiarities of Francophone countries and one’s own country of origin.

Requirements
French A1

Exam
Written examination (French) or oral examination (French)

5 SP 43 Spanish for Work and Everyday Life - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS

On successful completion of the module, course participants are able to

  • deal with simple business and everyday communication, both orally and in writing, in a Spanish-speaking country,
  • perceive and assess cultural characteristics.

CONTENT OF THE MODULE

Dealing with everyday situations such as:

  • explaining one’s own and other people’s personal background or asking about it.
  • orienting oneself in a Spanish-speaking environment.
  • finding out about events, procedures and contact persons.
  • making, accepting and rejecting proposals.
  • describing events.
  • extracting information from the media.
  • dealing with simple business and everyday communication in writing.
  • identifying and explaining cultural peculiarities of Francophone countries and one’s own country of origin.

Requirements
French A1

Exam
Written examination (Spanish) or oral examination (Spanish)

5 SP 40 Presentations and Meetings - 6 ECTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES/SKILLS
After completing the module, students will have acquired the following skills:

  • Presentations: Students know and are able to apply various presentation techniques, get acquainted with different resentation tools, acquire basic rhetorical skills and knowledge, become aware of cultural aspects of body language and are able to implement and actively use their knowledge in presentations for international audiences.
  • Meetings: Students will become familiar with different aspects of teamwork with special focus on international teams, gain cultural awareness, learn about negotiation concepts and experience negotiation situations in various economic settings and can describe and apply these skills. They can chair and run international teams and meetings effectively.
  • Level B2 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

CONTENT OF THE MODULE
Presentations:

  • Basic communication models
  • Cultural awareness
  • Body language
  • Rhetoric
  • Dos and don’ts
  • Practice and feedback

Meetings:

  • Theoretical concepts of international terms
  • Harvard Negotiating Concept
  • Negotiations
  • Practice and feedback

Requirements
English skills on a B2 level are recommended.
Exam
Combination of project work, presentation and oral examination
Literature

  • Grussendorf, Marion: English for Presentations. Cornelsen
  • Canney Davison, Sue and Ward, Karen: Leading International Teams. McGraw-Hill