Global Business

Today’s global societal and environmental challenges raise significant questions for companies and the way in which they operate. How would you respond to these dilemmas? This introspective look, helps you identify the type of organisation you would want to work for or start up. Once you have mastered the basic concepts of sustainable business, you will prepare and present a business plan that delivers on this relevant issue.

Presenting information and points of view in meetings and presentations is a daily reality of business life. Learn how to conduct effective meetings with careful preparation and an open mind to differences of opinion.

Global economic development affects the performance of governments, companies, organisations and individuals. Grasp key concepts and principles of economics, and those relating to business organisation and strategy.  You will draw on case studies and media reports to examine the extent to which external factors influence business decisions and performance. Find out how market mechanisms work, study factors which influence producers’ pricing and output decisions, inter-dependence of households and businesses, strategies that drive business growth and theories of consumer behaviour. You will also examine the role of governments, concepts of labour and employment, money, capital and inflation and business cycles – essential for understanding different viewpoints.

Your chance to work with a diverse team on a project like any globally-minded business professional. Develop a business concept together, applying your knowledge of bringing a product to market (purchase, transportation, production and marketing) and drawing on ICT and project management tools to assist you. Learn through practice.

Information is everywhere. Finding and selecting valuable information in open source networks, libraries, magazines and reviews, requires a careful search technique and a critical mindset. We will work on these skills and help you master the art of writing efficient messages and reports – both for internal and external use.

Learn how to communicate in a way that transcends borders, and leads to lasting working relationships. Find out how cultural differences impact on the way we communicate – both verbal and non-verbal – and investigate their influence on organisational structures and business operations.

The financial situation of every organisation is reflected in the accounts. Starting with the theoretical and legal framework of the International Financial Reporting System, you practise the basics of financial accounting – how to record inventory, sales and purchases, and ensure proper closing. Learn how to read financial reports such as balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements.

A flair for number-crunching and working with spreadsheets is essential in any organisation. Likewise, organising data, making (financial) calculations and analysing data are also sought-after skills in the labour market and areas you will develop throughout the module.

Provides a comprehensive overview of some of the most widely-used applications for communication in business: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook. You will learn core techniques and best practices, and discover tools for information management, planning and cloud-computing.

As the influence of international and European law grows ever stronger, knowing its basic principles and where to go for legal and regulatory information will help you make the right choices in business. Develop your critical-thinking skills in regards to contracts and learn how to double-check legal issues.

Learn how to market products and services across borders, in this growth area of international business. You will explore the pressures created by the pathways of internationalisation, as well as political and economic risk analysis, international planning, cultural distance, branding for international markets, international market entry, distribution strategies, and adaptation versus standardisation.

Get an overview of most common globalisation theories on defending open economies and removing trade barriers. Explore the opportunities, risks and threats as well as the roles of the intermediate parties. Take a close-up look at how the global supply chain works – in theory and practice. Learn about the types of cargo – container cargo, liquid bulk, dry bulk, breakbulk and ro-ro – and different transportation modes, their infrastructures, networks and flows. Discover logistics: the flow of goods, services, information and money between your customers, your own company and your suppliers. 

As a student, you learn to manage your studying, time, motivation and personal energy, and later as you prepare for a career in international business new skills come into play. This course enables you to work on core management strengths such as teamwork, intercultural awareness, scheduling and planning. Your mentor will also give you personal development coaching as part of your drive to become a skilled and motivated young professional.

Choose one of the following electives to broaden your horizon:

• Business in Latin-America
  Doing Business in Latin America provides pointers to conceive of a highly diverse global region. It supplies the students with a background on economic histories, doctrines, policies and practices that continue to affect a number of modern Latin American States’ business climates today. Additionally, the course covers data sources on governance, that students will find relevant to honing their analytical and critical reflection on States – not only from this Global region, and not only in the scope of this course, but possibly for ever after. 
• Business in Europe
  Immerse yourself in the mechanics of the European Union and its institutions as you explore the potential business opportunities and challenges in the region. You will focus on social and anthropological aspects and master cross-cultural communication, business etiquette, and the dos and don’ts of doing business within Europe’s multicultural business landscape. Your classes will also draw on topical news stories that have an impact on business across the continent.
• Business in the US
  Gain valuable insight into one of the world’s most expansive and lucrative markets, the United States of America.  You will learn more about the political, economic and social particularities of the US and how they relate to doing business in the country.  Furthermore, the class will contain practical do’s and don’ts for conducting business in and with the USA. 
• Business in emerging markets
  Global business has been transforming significantly over the past decades. Next to the developed economies, new markets have gained momentum and are becoming an ever more important part of the world economy. This interactive course seeks to create a basic understanding what is happening in these so-called “emerging markets” and will at the same time help develop cultural sensitivity, and stimulate the appetite to explore. The course will visit China, India, as well as other very dynamic and interesting parts of the world. Different perspectives, including culture, entrepreneurship and innovation will be discussed and practiced.
• English Upgrade B2+
  If you received a B2 (IELTS 6.0) for your language screening test, it is mandatory that you take up this elective course. This will not only help you to keep up in our English-taught environment but will help you with your international business prospects through improved communication skills in English. It is also great preparation for the Road to IELTS course in the second year.
• Leadership and People Management (B4E)
  The Leadership and People Management course takes a two-fold approach to leadership practices and the different challenges of managing people in the multicultural and diverse workplace of the post-Covid world. Incorporating theoretical studies and  practical exercises, a mix between an academic approach and a business training, the course is structured around lectures, interactive sessions, workshops, individual and group presentations. Use will be made of case studies (Harvard Business Review), video and other material. Student work includes role plays, games, and concrete projects of varying degrees of difficulty. Students will study different areas within the three important building blocks in leadership and managing people.  
  • Psychological with a focus on the individual
    Example themes such as: emotional intelligence, discovering value systems, self-limiting beliefs, self-awareness, self-discipline and self-motivation.
  • Social-psychological with a focus on the relational
    Example themes such as: power and influence, motivation vs manipulation, empowerment and engagement, teamwork and communication skills.
  • Situational context with a focus on the organisation
    Example themes such as: organisational design, organisational culture, challenges of a multicultural workplace, risk vs crisis management and geopolitical and economic challenges in the post-pandemic world.

A chance to broaden your language skills. Either choose from the following in-house courses:

• Dutch (the local language here in Antwerp): elementary course (CEFR level A1)
• French: elementary and intermediate courses (CEFR levels A1 & B1)
• Spanish: elementary course (CEFR level A1)
• Or submit a proposal to study another language, outside KdG.

Whichever option you decide upon, you will need to continue with that same language for the full 12 credits (in the second and third year of your study programme).

Native speakers cannot enrol on an elementary course in their own language. Also, students with a secondary school degree from Flanders who want to improve their French must choose the intermediate option.

Learn more about CEFR level descriptions

Discover what kind of team player you are, and how to perform at your peak within a team. Put into practice the skills learned in the Cross Cultural Communication module and apply them to real-life situations where cultural awareness, networking, teamwork and professionalism go hand in hand. Develop these critical skills by reflecting on your actions and behaviour.

In order to graduate, all students need to prove that their English-language proficiency is at least C1-level on the CEFR. This course prepares you for taking the IELTS – C1 General Test at the British Council in Brussels, or to do a similar test at KdG.

Find out how to attract the right talent, develop it as well as reward and retain staff – core aspects of any successful business. Get a strategic and transactional overview, learn how to apply HR frameworks and concepts to real-life examples, and create the right conditions for employees and managers to achieve company goals.

Delve into the inner workings of international trade. Develop your knowledge of documents in international trade, compare and evaluate payments and financing techniques such as documentary credit arrangements, and learn how to apply Incoterms ® to international trade transactions.

To succeed in the corporate world, you need a good understanding of the legislation that impacts on your business activities. Learn how to operate within a legal framework as you discover how to create legal ads, comply with competition rules, protect your intellectual property, and select the right contract for clients and contracting parties. You will also explore options for international mergers and acquisitions and learn how to process client data in line with privacy laws.

Delve into the international corporate financial management. Explore the international financial markets and the sources for international companies to finance their business. Detect the financial risks and how to develop risk exposure management. Use this knowledge to perform investment analysis, working capital and cash management. Develop insight in international payment techniques and trade finance products.

Decision-makers within an organisation rely on timely and accurate financial and non-financial information to make informed judgments. You will master the most important managerial accounting techniques needed to achieve this – job order costing, cost-volume-profit relationships, activity-based costing, activity-based management, budgeting, variance analysis and capital budgeting.

In our ever-changing world, companies need to react quickly to maintain their competitive edge. Get an insight into insights, models, tools and techniques to successfully reshape an organisation in light of global developments. Focus on the implications for individuals, teams and organisations and explore project management and organisational culture for ways to create sustainable change. 

Calculations and projections are important tools in business management. Learn how to work with statistics, market data and mathematical functions to develop simulations and forecasts in this hands-on seminar.

Writing a bachelor thesis is challenging and this course will give you a head start. Settle on a topic you want to write about, develop a clear thesis statement, look up different types of sources and evaluate them, plan your work, structure your narrative, and fine tune your writing. The outcome is a well thought-through proposal for your thesis.

A strong sales team is key to developing new and existing client relationships while simultaneously boosting company profits. Learn how to build a loyal client base as you delve into the principles of marketing, sales automation and upgrade strategies. Our practical exercises will develop your team management skills and negotiation tactics ready for the workplace. 

Explore the role of strategical and operational marketing in today’s world of global business. Get an insight into those all-important concepts and techniques, which enable today’s managers to identify and capitalise on opportunities that arise. Find out how its benefits are increasingly sought-after by the public sector and other, not-for profit organisations.

Before a client or consumer can benefit from purchased goods and services, a supply chain must run its course. Get an insight into a product’s  manufacturing, transportation far and wide, packing, storage, selection, and distribution to a shop – often just in time before it is sold and delivered. Join us on this fascinating journey along the supply chain.

Continue to build on last year’s taster, as you dive into the detail of your chosen language.

Choose one of the following electives to broaden your horizon:

• Geopolitics
  What interests determine current global politics? And what consequences do geopolitics have on globalized business and supply chains? In this course you will learn all about the geopolitical challenges global business and global supply chain face at the moment. 

• International Business Practices
  Tumultuous International Business times ahead.  China is getting strong enough to challenge the USA in economic hegemony, and the latter is no longer so sure about the “global rules” itself has helped to put in place.
  That means that you will enter the business world with the 3 largest economic blocks (the EU, The USA and China) singing a different tune.  How to navigate this new (and still shaping) international business world?
  The course tackles this in a very hands-on way.  It brings in guest speakers who have a broad experience in global business, but as a student you also get to go deep in certain area and translate that knowledge into a report and final presentation that then also brings your fellow students upto speed on your new insights. 
  Net a class to learn, to experience, but also to share & help others ahead.

• Networking and Lobbying
  It’s hard to overrate the importance of networking and lobbying in the business world. Yet there’s a lot of confusion regarding the terminology and practices. How do you start, what is a good network? Is lobbying really the shady, backdoor influencing or is it about politics, numbers, arguments? How useful are your soft skills, and how can you remediate?
  Networking is about giving and taking and seeing opportunities in connections. In this course unit, we’ll guide you through the world of networking and lobbying, and teach you how to become better at it, without losing your personality or integrity. 
  The course unit applies not only to digital reality but also to the real world. Don’t be afraid to get drawn out of your comfort zone.      

• Storytelling as a business tool
  Storytelling is crucial for any organisation in order to distinguish itself and rise above the clutter of information and communication efforts. You will learn about the importance of storytelling in a digital/social media context.  You will learn how to transform communication into enjoyable, and relevant stories, adding the tone of voice of an organisation.

Carry out in-depth analytical research into a business-related topic of your choice. Your investigations will see you dive into the literature and gather data before formulating your arguments into a reasoned written report. You are coached by a mentor throughout, and by the end of the process you are ready to present your findings to a jury panel. 

Is it all about the money? Or is there more to it? Take a look at authentic business cases from various standpoints and analyse them. Set up debates, present your reasoned arguments, and see if there is more to business than just going for a quick win…

A sound corporate strategy helps a business stay focused in uncertain economic times. Formulating a sound strategy requires a thorough understanding of the environment in which a company operates, its vision, its unique set of competences and resources and aims to set the direction for its future growth. Focus on becoming a strategic thinker – a key skill for any manager, corporate executive or entrepreneur – and get to evaluate and critically analyse a global company’s strategies. You will study the market risks and opportunities, discover how corporate strategy evolves in response to market conditions, and understand the process of strategy implementation in order to gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Your mandatory 13-week internship within an international company or organisation is an essential and pivotal moment in terms of personal development. You start as an observer but quickly immerse yourself in the daily working processes of your colleagues. As an intern you will find yourself being part of a project team – focusing on a particular area of analysis or a survey study – or getting experience handling operations within a company for instance. Your internship must be in a country other than where you obtained your secondary school degree, which will complete your international study experience and help to further broaden your perspective.

Your lecturers have prepared you for this moment, and now it is your chance to shine on the job.

Cross border trade and global procurement is an established and natural phenomenon. Learn to assess the risks involved by simulating an import or export transaction. Carry out an in-depth analysis of a product, its market appeal, the country where it was manufactured and the supply chain. Check the legal obligations under your sale contract such as delivery, customs clearance and payment. Draft the necessary contracts for sale, finance, transport and insurance, and have a sound grasp of the legal ramifications in the event of a breach. 

Choose two from the following choices:

• Grean Deal Policymaking
  Learn how the Green Deal comes into effect and how businesses need to adapt to this revolutionary shift towards a circular economy in a group of students consisting of students of Antwerp and students of Bern (University of Applied Sciences). We will visit the European Institutions, businesses and Chambers of Commerce and conduct surveys in businesses to deduct comparisons between both countries. But most important, you will have an Erasmus experience @home as you will work in an international team.

• International finance management 2

  This course provides knowledge and insight into banking. We explore the international financial system and different types of intermediation. We detect the different drivers of banking, such as accounting rules, prudential rules and technology. We detect the financial risks and how to develop the risk exposure management and the management of risks.

• International Human Resources Management

  • distinctions between domestic and international (strategic) HRM

  • the cultural and organisational context of intl HRM

  • staffing for global markets

  • international performance management

  • international training, development, careers and global leadership

  • international compensation

  • future challenges for Intl HRM

  • evidence-based HRM

  • In this course, you will also work in a cross-cultural team with fellow students from another University (“COIL” project), yet another opportunity to become a truly global citizen and a seasoned cross-cultural team worker.

Choose two from the following choices:

• Corporate Reputation Management
  Corporate Reputation and the management of it is more than ever before a top priority for CEO’s across the globe. And in the meantime, it’s what makes them most afraid. Reputation is amorphous and ambiguous and that’s what makes it so challenging. Why is reputation so important? How do companies work on this area? What is the impact on company’s performance, employee retention, long term viability? Once you understand the principles and apply it your own case you could start to make a true difference in business life.

• Blockchain and artificial intelligence
  General introduction to applied innovation in business, blockchain and artificial technology. Interactive guest lectures will be facilitated by the instructor.

• Digital Marketing
  Get to grips with digital marketing by creating a simple website for an small online business, and then improve it using the principles of content marketing and user experience. You will also explore Google Adwords, Google analytics and direct mail promotion as part of a wider digital marketing strategy.

• DXC Masterclass
  A workshop run by a leading independent, end-to-end IT services company.  Over six sessions, you address digital technologies from a business perspective. You work on a real case study for a client, providing business solutions, which you present at the end of the workshop.

• Operations Management
  The objective of this course unit is to familiarize the student with the principles of Operations Management. This function is concerned with the production of goods and providing services in a cost-effective manner in accordance with the existing and perceived demand for the existing and potential customers.

  After this course unit the student should be able to:

  • Define the term operations management.

  • Compare and contrast service and manufacturing operations.

  • Describe the operations function, the nature of the operations manager’s job and the relation with other management functions.

  • Describe the key aspects of operations management decision making.

  • Identify and describe current trends in business that impact operations management.

• CSR business game
  You take part in a business game on the theme of Corporate Social Responsibility. You form a team with students from other degree programmes. Each team represents the management team of a netbook manufacturer whose mission is 'to be successful in business by being innovative and socially responsible'. Throughout the game, you make strategic and operational decisions (e.g. choice of product, sales region, product location, supplier, quality of the component, terms of employment etc)

• Third-Party Project
  With the IBM3 Minor Elective Third-Party Project, you are given the opportunity to broaden your horizon and attend a summer school, bootcamp, case competition ... outside of IBM and have this validated within your IBM degree programme.

Continue to build on last year’s taster, as you dive into the detail of your chosen language.