The Pros and Cons of Undergraduate International Business Education

Abstract

No longer is it sufficient for even small businesses to think in terms of their local market place to sell their goods and services. Firstly, if their local environments offer good possibilities for such business, not only local firms but also national and international competitors are likely to encroach much more quickly than in former times. Secondly, such businesses may find that the most appropriate areas for expansion are not in the national but in the international arena. Furthermore, the power of large multinational organisations is on the increase and such companies seek by mergers and alliances increasingly to cover the globe in broad sectors such as energy, transport, communications. In line with this trend governments are concerned to encourage companies to become internationally competitive and surveys show that companies value graduates who are internationally competent and mobile. In addition, economic and political groupings such as the European Union require people who can transcend local boundaries. For these reasons the last 25 years have seen an unprecedented growth in International Business Education. What are the advantages and disadvantages? What are the opportunities and pitfalls?