International Business Simulation - Strategy and Scaling

The course International Business Simulation – Strategy and Scaling, is a course within the Master of Science programmes at the Graduate School, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.

To be eligible for the course International Business Simulation – Strategy and Scaling, the participant must fulfil the entrance qualifications for one of the Master of Science programmes at the Graduate School.

The course is built around a computer-based business simulation in which students are responsible for establishing, scaling, and managing a multinational firm operating in a competitive global environment. Students work in teams that compete with other student groups in order to gain market share and achieve sustainable performance across international markets.

Within each team, students assume distinct functional roles, such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and sales. This course design is intended to promote a cross-functional and systems-oriented understanding of the firm, highlighting how decisions made within one functional area influence other functions and overall firm performance, particularly in relation to international growth and scaling.

The course applies a problem-based and experiential learning approach, where the majority of learning activities take place in interactive workshops. Students address strategic and operational challenges that emerge from the simulation and are required to integrate knowledge from previous coursework in international business, strategy, marketing, finance, and operations. When existing theoretical frameworks are insufficient, students are expected to independently identify and apply relevant additional theoretical and empirical insights.

Faculty members are present during workshops to provide guidance, coaching, and feedback, thereby supporting students’ analytical reasoning, reflection, and decision-making rather than relying primarily on traditional lectures. Short, targeted mini-lectures are integrated at critical decision points in the simulation to introduce relevant concepts related to international market entry, scaling operations, coordination across organizational functions, and performance management.

In addition, students deliver presentations on current international business developments and geopolitical events, linking changes in the external environment to strategic decisions made within the simulation. Through this integrated pedagogical approach, the course aims to develop students’ ability to coordinate cross-functional decisions, manage international growth, and apply theory to complex and dynamic global business contexts.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. understand how different functional areas within an international firm are interconnected and how decisions in one function affect overall firm performance over time 
2. understand and manage key challenges and mechanisms involved in scaling a business internationally, including growth, coordination, and resource allocation across markets 
3. design, implement, and evaluate international business strategies
4. analyze cross-functional and cross-market consequences of strategic choices using financial and market data in an international competitive environment 
5. Work effectively in teams and communicate coherent and well-structured strategic arguments that integrate multiple functional perspectives
6. critically reflect on strategic choices related to international growth and scaling, including risks, coordination challenges, and long-term consequences for the firm’s performance
7. assess the strengths and limitations of theoretical models as tools for understanding complex, cross-functional, and international business situations.

Teaching is conducted in the form of group work, workshops, lectures, oral presentations, and participation in a computer-based business simulation.

Language of instruction: English

Learning outcomes 1 is assessed through a written exam.

Learning outcomes 2 and 3 are assessed through a written exam, a group assignment (team-based simulation performance) and oral presentations.

Learning outcomes 5, 6 and 7 are assessed through a group assignment (team-based simulation performance) and oral presentations.

Oral presentations are compulsory. In the event of absence from oral presentations, the course coordinator may grant an alternative assignment, which must be completed within the prescribed time frame. A failed oral presentation may be supplemented to achieve a passing grade.

Individual exams shall be written individually, cooperation in formulating text, tables, figures etc. is not allowed.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed.

The number of examinations is limited to five.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

All of the intended learning outcomes of the course taken must have been achieved to obtain a Pass grade. Accordingly, all forms of examination must be passed. The grade (A-E) corresponds to the total score a student obtains the written exam (40 % of final grade), group assignment (40 % of final grade) and oral presentations (20 % of final grade). To receive a pass grade (A-E) >= 50% points is required. The scale is tied to fixed score intervals:

A: 85-100% 
B: 75-84% 
C: 68-74% 
D: 60-67% 
E: 50-59% 
F: <50%

The course will be evaluated upon completion. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.