What is the difference between international business and export import management?
This is a multi layered question but will try to give you a simple explanation.
Export-import management is a part of International Business and not the other way around.
International Business covers all aspects of transnational activities such as International Law, Transnational Operations, Mergers and Acquisitions, Exports-Imports, Cross Border Setups and a wide range of topics and understandings.
Export-Import Management on the other hand is the simple handling of trade between the two countries. It requires an understanding of the topics mentioned above but only in part about the business of exchanging goods and services with payments.
For example, you buy a product from Country A and sell it in country B. In this situation, you import from country A and export to country B. It is not necessary that every import you need to make an export. You can also import or export. To do this trade, you need to understand the banking procedure, customs procedure, shipping terms and documentation and your product as well. It may not involve you involving a foreign body in your business. This is Export-Import Management.
Now, you are in country A and want to buy / setup a factory / office / establishment in country B. Now in order for that to happen, you need to understand the land laws of country B, the business economy, the laws in taxation, M&A laws, the state of relations between country A and country B, the socio-economic position of the country and the people and things like that. The involvement of time and resources is quite significant when considering International Business.
We will broadly understand these two topics, which hopefully will help you understand the difference.
Global trade-
A business is a commercial transaction between two entities with a revenue motive in which money is exchanged for goods or services. If such business is conducted in many countries, it is international business. This is a broad term that can include many business dimensions such as buying or selling products, goods, services and sometimes outsource manufacturing. It does not depend on the commercial purchase or sale of goods only. BPOs, construction management companies, business consultants are few of those examples, where there is no exchange of goods like this but it can be international.
Export Management
This topic specifically refers to the import part of international business management. However, it is a broad subject in itself and mastering International business does not necessarily mean that it covers import export. The topic involves chain management, logistics management, procurement of supply chain strategies etc. An export import manager may not be required when there is an exchange of unspoken items such as services and consultations.
