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International Business Masterclasses

We provide these intensive courses on current debates and conceptual issues in International Business to give broader learning opportunities to PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. Each masterclass offers the opportunity to engage in key International Business topics taught by notable intellectual figures in the field.

Henley workshop 1

The Henley International Business Masterclasses are an initiative developed at Henley Business School. In Summer 2027, the masterclasses will consist of four modules which will be taught in hybrid mode from 7 to 18 June 2027.

Module

Lecturer(s)

Dates

Strategy and International Business

Alain Verbeke

7-9 June

Economics of International Business

Mark Casson

9-11 June

International Business, Development and Policy

Rajneesh Narula and guest speakers

14-16 June

International Business, Innovation and Geography

Davide Castellani and guest speakers

16-18 June

These courses, delivered by the International Business and Strategy department, have been designed for face-to-face delivery, and participants are encouraged to attend in-person to benefit from face-to-face interactions, but those who are unable to travel to Reading will be able to attend the live sessions online via MS Teams. The masterclasses are offered to PhD students and post-doctoral researchers only.

Summer 2027 Masterclasses – Application process

The default way to participate does not involve formal academic enrolment. You'll receive a certificate of participation, subject to a registration fee and attendance of at least 80% of the sessions for each module taken. The fees for attending the modules are as follows:

Modules attended

Fee

1st

£100

2nd

£180

3rd

£240

4th

£300

If you want to earn academic credits, you can choose the credit-bearing option. You may earn 10 credits per module (equivalent to 5 ECTS credits) upon the positive evaluation of coursework and payment of an additional tuition fee (£230 for Home and £460 for international students per module).

What is included in the participation fee?

For in-person participants, lunch and coffee breaks will be provided for the duration of the modules they wish to attend, as well as one gala dinner.

Application Process:

To apply for the masterclasses, please complete an online application form, and email the following supporting documents to Jana Oslejova:

  • a CV
  • an academic reference supporting the application

An application is considered complete upon reception of the online form and supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be processed, which may result in delays in communication of the decision.

Key dates

  • Call for applications will open in early 2027
  • Application deadline is 26 February 2027 5pm (UK local time)
  • Decisions will be communicated during the first week of March

Funding

Funding is available for a limited number of participants thanks to the support of the Alan Rugman Memorial Fund, and it may contribute towards costs of travel and accommodation for the duration of the masterclasses (tuition costs will not be covered).

Funding recipients are selected through a formal process, with nominations provided by PhD supervisors or other academic referees. Applicants must indicate their intention to apply for funding in their application form. The academic reference letter should also nominate the applicant and support their funding application. Supporting documents (CV and academic reference) should be sent to Jana Oslejova by the deadline.

This funding is limited, and we strongly encourage everyone to seek their own financial support from their institution or government.

People

J. Eduardo Ibarra-Olivo, Masterclasses Coordinator

Jana Oslejova, Masterclasses Administrator

Davide Castellani, Head of International Business and Strategy Department

Rajneesh Narula, Director of the Dunning Centre for International Business

Summer 2027 Masterclass Modules Overview:

This module offers a critical, research-informed overview of international business strategy, drawing on the third edition of International Business Strategy: Rethinking the Foundations of Global Corporate Success by Verbeke and Lee. Across a series of live sessions, participants explore core themes including the theory of the multinational enterprise, MNE governance and location decisions, the management of federated global networks, global versus regional competitive strategies, cooperative arrangements, and corporate social responsibility. The course is designed to help PhD students understand the complexity of managing large multinational networks while connecting academic theory to real managerial practice. Beyond content delivery, the module aims to prepare participants for an academic career grounded in practice-relevant research, and to foster dialogue among class members on key intellectual debates in the field.

Henley Lecturers:

Syllabus (incl. Reading List) [coming soon]

This module offers a state-of-the-art account of how economic principles can illuminate international business issues, blending economic theory with the historical evolution of the global economy. Participants explore how core economic tools—from internalisation theory and the theory of the firm to game theory and the geography of markets—can be applied to strategic decisions such as market entry, outsourcing, and R&D location. The course also situates these ideas within pressing contemporary debates, including climate change, technological disruption, and the shifting political landscape shaping global trade. Designed for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers with no prior background in economics required, it aims to help participants "think like an economist" and apply these concepts directly to their own research. Delivery combines live seminars and discussions.

Henley Lecturers:

Syllabus (incl. Reading List) [coming soon]

This module is intended to introduce the role multinational enterprises (MNEs) can play in development, and how governments are able to influence the positive and negative outcomes associated with this interaction. The module will focus on issues relating to the role of MNEs in the process of industrialization and economic development. It will review the theory and evidence relating to how foreign direct investment affects economic structure and industrial development in host countries, taking special interest in developing countries, but also drawing on the experience of the developed world. Delivery follows a hybrid format, combining pre-recorded core lectures introducing key themes and readings with live sessions where participants engage directly with the module convener and guest speakers on contemporary topics. The focus will be potential policies that governments can and do apply to optimize the impact of MNEs at the national and international level.

Henley Lecturers:

Guest Speakers:

  • TBC

Syllabus (incl. Reading List) [coming soon]

This course explores the intersection of innovation, international business, and economic geography, offering a rigorous, research-led understanding of the forces shaping multinational enterprise location strategies and the global organisation of knowledge. It examines the pivotal role of global cities in shaping MNE location decisions, investment strategies, and the organisation of value chains, covering themes such as urban connectivity, agglomeration advantages, and the co-location of R&D and production. It also explores the global organisation of R&D activity, focusing on the challenges arising from techno-nationalism, political uncertainty, and strategic competition between states. Throughout, the course draws on cutting-edge academic research to prepare participants to conduct advanced work on MNE location strategy and the global geography of innovation. The course combines lectures with class discussion and offers both academic and policy-relevant insights into international business.

Henley Lecturers:

Guest Speakers:

  • TBC

Syllabus (incl. Reading List) [coming soon]