Global Business

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Choose one of the following electives to broaden your horizon:

• Business in Asia
• 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 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 Africa
• 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.

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

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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Choose one of the following electives to broaden your horizon:

• 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.      
• 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. 
• 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.
• AI in practice

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

• Dutch elementary 2
• French elementary 2
• Spanish elementary 2
• French intermediate 2
• Other foreign language 2

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.

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. 

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…

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.

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. 

Choose two from the following choices:

• 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.
• 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 relations and diplomacy

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.
• 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.
• Blockchain and artificial intelligence
  General introduction to applied innovation in business, blockchain and artificial technology. Interactive guest lectures will be facilitated by the instructor.
• 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)
• DXC consultancy
  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.
• International business and politics
• Creative problem solving
• Luxery and fashion management

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

• Dutch elementary 3
• French elementary 3
• Spanish elementary 3
• French intermediate 3
• Other foreign language 3