What is International Business?

International business can be all the commercial activities that promote governmental and private exportations, importations, or trades between different countries, including goods, services, technologies, resources, and even ideas. This practice is ancient; however, it has evolved and increased. In recent years, global business has grown as consumers are now more aware of the goods from foreign countries, thanks to technology. What is global business? Global business is the term used to refer to international governmental and private exportations, importations, or trades between countries worldwide. Today, most major businesses standardly operate on a global scale.

Besides the exportations, importations, or trades between countries, international business can include the contracts such as licensing or franchising through which a country allows other foreign countries to use their products and services. The services category includes research, mainly conducted to create new developments. As part of the research, an international businessman or businesswoman usually studies the effects of global exportations, importations, or trades on each country in general, government, and other foreign markets. They also research international businesses' impact on each company and the people, which are key factors as they are the consumers.

An international business degree includes learning the skills and knowledge necessary to manage businesses and apply critical thinking to solve any problem on a global scale. It also includes learning about foreign cultures and new languages.

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International Business Topics

Global Trade

Learn the global trade definition and understand the benefits and drawbacks of international trade. Explore global trade examples and the types of trade barriers.

International Business Law

Learn about international business law and understand how it works. Explore the types of international law frameworks with examples of international business laws.

International Companies

Learn about international companies and see how international business works. Study global business examples with a list of companies that are international.

International Finance

Learn about international finance, also referred to as international macroeconomics. Explore the importance of international financial management and see examples.

International Marketing

Explore global marketing. Learn the definition of global marketing and understand its benefits. Discover the various challenges of a global marketing strategy.

International Business Resources

Study.com offers many accessible resources about international business. The resources are available anytime for various grade levels and learning goals. Access courses about international business to learn more about examples of global business, human resource issues, and more.

International Business Courses

Study.com's library of online international business courses can help students refresh and strengthen the material presented in classrooms, complete homework assignments, prepare for upcoming exams, and boost their grades. Experts who teach complex concepts in international business sectors in an easy-to-understand manner teach these courses to promote engagement in learners.

Business 120: International Business

This engaging and comprehensive course covers international trade, global economic development, global marketing, and more. Access this self-paced course to gain a head start on a degree with fun lessons, videos, and a final proctored exam.
Business 308: Globalization & International Management

This comprehensive course on globalization and international management offers students the ability to learn about management skills and market strategies. The credits in this self-paced course are transferable to over 2,000 colleges and universities.
Global Competency Fundamentals & Applications

This comprehensive corporate learning course has been designed for employees to understand global competency and applications in the workforce. The course is self-paced with engaging lectures to help employees retain and apply the information.
Managing Business in a Global Environment

This course has been designed to help employees learn to adapt traditional management skills to international business and the global market. The Human Resources Certification Institute has approved this course for continuing education credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the meaning of international business?

    International business includes all commercial activities, including exportations, importations, or trades between countries. These may include people, goods, services, technologies, resources, and ideas.

  • What is an example of international business?

    An example of international business is McDonald's fast-food restaurants, which have expanded globally and can be found in many countries. McDonald's restaurants are an example of a local business taken globally many years ago.

  • What does one study in international business?

    In international business, global exportations, importations, or trades have effects on each country in general, government, and other foreign markets are studied. Studying the impact on companies and those who consume the goods are also important.