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Strategic Cooperation - MAN00181M

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
    • See module specification for other years: 2025-26

Module summary

This module explores how Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) leverage strategic cooperation to navigate dynamic environments and build resilient Global Value Chains (GVCs). Students will analyze a GVC as a strategic portfolio of collaborative relationships designed for growth, innovation, and competitive advantages.

Professional requirements

N/A

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This module introduces key theories of international business strategy for a multinational enterprise (MNE) - those concerning the sources of competitive advantages in the international context, the strategic decisions on cross-border, geographic, vertical and horizontal expansions through international strategic alliances, challenges due to liabilities of foreignness, technological changes, and interactions with stakeholders in home and host countries. This theoretical discussion will then be illustrated and examined by reference to contemporary issues in different contexts of global value chains.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:
- Articulate an awareness and understanding of the global value chain as a mode of international operation in a multinational enterprise
- Understand different ways which international business strategies for the global value chain are identified and managed within organisations and through strategic alliances
- Demonstrate understanding of disruptions in the contemporary global business environments and the way these affect international alliance strategy, competitive advantages and expectations
- Critically apply theory and frameworks to evaluate performance of a firm and its network for the global value chain operation in the global environment

Module content

Defining the Global Value Chain (GVC) through the lens of cooperative strategy.
Analyzing the industry dynamics to set objectives for vertical and horizontal expansion.
Exploring corporate strategy pathways using the "Build, Borrow, or Buy" logic.
Navigating global locations & partner selection.
Building and managing collaborative advantages, addressing contemporary challenges, and ensuring resilient GVC configuration.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

The main text for this module is: LASSERRE, P. & MONTEIRO, F. 2023. Global Strategic Management, Bloomsbury Academic.

Relevant reading from academic journals will be provided on a weekly basis and students will be actively encouraged to critically engage with business media and comment on contemporary issues in real-time as they occur in business related press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.