Extracurriculare Activities comprise of various activities that are not linked to the Curriculum of the MSc in Banking and Financial Management, which are optional and further support the studying of the Master programme.

• International Market Environment (Insights into International Marketing, Trade Organisations and Trade Policy, Intercultural Aspects, Economic Environment, Political and Legal Framework Conditions).
• International Market Entry and Development of Markets (Organisation, Implementation and Control, Market Research, Market Entry and Expansion).
• Export Marketing Mix (Product Adaptation, Pricing, Marketing Communication, Distribution Management).
• Global Marketing Mix (Global Product Management and Global Brand Development, Global Services, Global Logistics and Purchasing, Global Pricing, Global Communication Policy).

Interactive lecture with exercises, case studies, impulse presentations by entrepreneurs and organizations for the promotion of foreign activities (e.g. OSEC)

• The students are familiar with the central theories, approaches and models of international entrepreneurship.
• The students develop skills for explaining international market opportunities.
• The students learn how to recognize, evaluate and increase international opportunities in the market.
• The students are able to integrate the concepts discussed into everyday business experience.

There is a 120-minute written examination testing the content of the course “Going International”.

International management entails a set of managerial challenges linked to international economics such as evaluating diverse political environments and considering the impact of macro-economic policies, currency fluctuations and trading regimes on business strategy and operations.

The module begins with an examination on how national policies can, in theory, shape international trade and constrain the climate for international business. In a second step, it extends this analysis to the international system discussing the role of international arrangements and institutions, e.g. the WTO, on international trade and investment.

Using a series of country-based case studies, students will then investigate how firms feel and master the impact of government policy and institutional set-ups in a specific nation state or economic region, for example China, India, the Arab World and South-America.

Contents of the module are:

• Sources of international comparative advantages (differences in natural resources, technology and factor endowment)
• Principles of strategic trade theory and geographic economic integration
• Goals, instruments and impact of modern international trade policy in industrial and emerging economies
• International trade agreements and organisations

Interactive lectures, exercises

The purpose of this module is to enable students to understand the challenges of international trade and investment and to analyse the opportunities they represent concerning a specific nation state or a wider economic region.

• Explain fundamentals of neo-classical and strategic trade theories
• Distinguish implications for national trade policies
• Illustrate main themes and debates in international economics
• Assess the impact of macroeconomics, political forces and international agreements on firm strategies and competition in a specific nation-state or economic region

Web-based online evaluation upon completion of module

This module consists of elective courses. Please register for one of the lectures offered.

• Recognising problems and analysing various topics in the area of financial services
• Handling ambitious practical problems in financial services like consulting projects and real portfolio management
• Developing customer-specific solutions
• Communicating with project client
• Presenting the final project report
• Working in a team in a project-oriented manner
• Mastering a portfolio under the supervision of a portfolio manager
• Working up all relevant information and data for portfolio management
• Structuring the strategic and tactical asset allocation
• Deciding on security selection

Seminar

After completion of the module, the students have at their disposal practical experiences in handling a consulting project in the area of banking and finance. In the course of the assignment, they utilize a range of advanced procedures and techniques incorporated in the discipline and apply theoretical insights to practical solutions, so that they are directly prepared for their professional life. Students develop original and creative answers for topics and problems and are able to evaluate the situation even without complete information. They are able to reflect and enlarge their knowledge and capabilities. In addition, they master professional project assignment and presentation techniques and are trained to function in a team. They are also able to assume responsibility within the team and to coordinate team assignments while taking into account the interest of the business.

1 Assignment
Number of presentations depending on the topic

Web-based online evaluation upon completion of module

Das Formular Disposition Master-Thesis ist die Grundlage für das Master-Thesis-Modul. Das Formular (mit allen Unterschriften) kann bei Stefan Hager abgegben werden oder per PDF zugesendet werden.

Das Excel-Formular ist die Grundlage für die Bewertung der Master-Thesis. Das Excel-Formular muss bis 4 Tage vor der Präsentation durch den Erst- und Zweitbetreuer an den Studiengangsbetreuer übermittelt werden. Erst- und Zweitbetreuer stimmen bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt die Beurteilungen gemeinsam ab. Verantwortlich ist der Erstbetreuer.

Anschliessend werden die Noten im Intranet für die StudentInnen freigegeben.

• Identification of a research problem and development of a research question
• Thematically formulating a problem and developing a solution through application of scientific methods
• Independence in handling a research problem determined in the course of an assessment. Discussion with the advisor about methodological and content issues in solving a research topic.
• Completion of a comprehensive assignment where the students deal with a practice-oriented problem in their area of specialisation by drawing on scientific work methods.
• Completion of presentation documentation on a research problem within their specialised area.
• Lecture dealing with a research question in their specialised area
• Defending of their lecture and specialised discussion with the examination board

After completion of the module, the students have acquired a detailed knowledge and a critical understanding of their research topic.

They have at their disposal specialised knowledge of methods and procedures for processing and data and explaining it in a structured manner. The exhibit originality and creativity in the application of their knowledge. The students complete research and development projects, applying specialised research methods, survey and development techniques by drawing on their previously acquired skills. Additionally, they present the significant findings of their project to specialists as well as laities, thereby utilising various communication methods in order to illustrate complex data on a scientific level.

Web-based online evaluation upon completion of module

Das Formular Disposition Master-Thesis ist die Grundlage für das Master-Thesis-Modul. Das Formular muss bei Daniel Müller per E-Mail bis spätestens den 25.03.2010 abgegben werden.

Das Excel-Formular ist die Grundlage für die Bewertung der Master-Thesis. Das Excel-Formular muss bis 4 Tage vor der Präsentation durch den Erst- und Zweitbetreuer an den Studiengangsbetreuer übermittelt werden. Erst- und Zweitbetreuer stimmen bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt die Beurteilungen gemeinsam ab. Verantwortlich ist der Erstbetreuer.

Anschliessend werden die Noten im Intranet für die StudentInnen freigegeben.

Market Entry Strategies

• Specifics of Entrepreneurial Marketing
• Innovation Ideas and their Market-Oriented Evaluation
• Market Entry Strategy
• Marketing with Limited Funding

Marketingplan Project

• Nature and Significance of a Marketingplan
• Process of Marketing Planning
• Information Fundamentals of Marketing Planning
• Planning of Marketing Strategy and Business Model
• Planning of Marketing Instruments
• Implementation and Monitoring

Interactive lecture with exercises, case studies, impulse lectures by entrepreneurs and organisations on the subject of Entrepreneurial Marketing.
Project assignment including kick-off, coaching, status assessment, and final presentation in front of a jury of experts.

• The students understand the central theories, basic approaches and models for “Entrepreneurial Marketing”
• The students develop skills for explaining and illustrating basic issues regarding “Entrepreneurial Marketing”
• The students learn to apply the instruments of “Entrepreneurial Marketing”
• The students are able to relate the concepts introduced to everyday business

• International Market Environment (Insights into International Marketing, Trade Organisations and Trade Policy, Intercultural Aspects, Economic Environment, Political and Legal Framework Conditions)
• International Market Entry and Development of Markets (Organisation, Implementation and Control, Market Research, Market Entry and Expansion)
• Export Marketing Mix (Product Adaptation, Pricing, Marketing Communication, Distribution Management)
• Global Marketing Mix (Global Product Management and Global Brand Development, Global Services, Global Logistics and Purchasing, Global Pricing, Global Communication Policy)

During the educational journey “Discover New Markets” the theories and fundamentals of “International Entrepreneurship” are applied and expanded. Debriefings are conducted by the lecturer.

During the educational journey “Discover New Markets” the lecture content is intensified and deepened through treatment of business problems resulting in the following leaning outcomes and requisite skills:

• The educational journey “Discover New Markets” provides the participants with practically relevant insights into internationalisation in new, developing markets. The study trip is conducted in China, India or South America on an alternating basis.
• Through university lectures and talks with entrepreneurs, the students are provided with insight into the most significant influential factors impacting business dealings in a selected international market.
• The students are taught practically relevant implementation processes for internationalisation, including explanations of country-specific business customs, negotiation practices, intercultural particularities, market entry strategies and shifting of individual units in the value added chain.

Social and Methodological Skills

• The students receive the opportunity of directly applying their knowledge accrued from the lectures to everyday business dealings in a foreign destination.
• The students practice their intercultural skills in direct contact with foreign cultures and market conditions.

Examination through written assignments, quality of project work and engagement in discussions.

This module prepares students for the BEC Vantage exam. The development of the relevant language skills and test skills is supported.

Understanding the test format
Writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills necessary to pass the BEC Preliminary exam.

The modules "Activation 1", "Activation 2" and "Communication in English for Business" are new as of winter term 2009/10. They prepare students for the effective use of English in professional and academic contexts from competence levels A2/B1, B1 or B2.