International trade

How the page is organized

The 22 units sit in six strands. Together they follow trade from first ideas to the paperwork, payments and taxes behind a single shipment.

Foundations and environment

The first strand, Foundations of International Business and Trade, holds Introduction to International Business, International Trade Fundamentals, Globalization and the World Economy, and Theories of International Trade. The mind map on theories of international trade covers absolute advantage, and Chapter 6 - Trade Theory sets out classical and contemporary theories. The second strand, The International Business Environment, covers risk, international negotiation, and culture and cross-cultural business.

Policy, strategy and operations

Trade Policy, Institutions and Integration includes trade blocs, tariffs and barriers, free trade agreements and the WTO. The WTO mind map walks through its councils and bodies. International Business Strategy looks at market entry, technology transfer and licensing, and foreign direct investment. Trade Operations and Logistics turns to export and import procedures, customs, transport, Incoterms and trade documents. The INCOTERMS 2020 mind map is a good example of the detail here.

Finance, law and taxation

The last strand, Trade Finance, Law and Taxation, covers international contracts and e-commerce, payments, trade finance and insurance, and international taxation.

Where to start

1. If you are new to the subject, begin with Introduction to International Business.
2. Read a mind map on the topic first, to see how the ideas connect.
3. Take a quiz, such as the one on carriage of goods by sea law, to find what you missed.
4. Go back to the map, then use flashcards for the terms.

Most resources here are written at university level, and some are aimed at A-level Business and A-level Economics. Choose a strand that matches what you are working on, open a mind map and see where a quiz takes you.