Massasoit Community College
Business Division
Business Administration
Course
Syllabus
Course
Title: Introduction
to International Business
Course
Number: BUSN143
Semester: Fall 2003, Spring 2004
Credits 3 credits
(2 lecture 1 lab)
Prerequisites: Introduction to
Business or Marketing or Prin of Management or Economics I or Economics II
Office
& Phone Number B328,
508.588-9100, Ext. 1671 or 617.727-1740 Ext 1671
Office
Hours As posted
and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
International
Business is an introductory course that will be further developed in-depth as
you continue international business classes. This course covers the following
main topics and concepts: globalization and its implications;
political-economic and cultural differences across the world; international
trade and investment; foreign exchange mechanism and the global monetary
system; and international management and marketing strategies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Systematic
reading and completing your assignments is a foundation for acquiring your
knowledge, developing critical international business skills, and receiving a
high course grade. The course is designed as a combination of theoretical
study, case discussion, and experiential learning. This format will be used to
develop your critical thinking and ability to make judgements and decisions in
situations that Multi National Corporations
face in international operations.
Specific
objectives include:
·
To
understand the nature of international business, important trends, and their
impact on domestic and global economy.
·
To
develop a comprehension of international economic and financial issues.
·
To
understand how cultural differences affect international business and ways of
dealing with these differences in developing competitive strategies.
·
To
comprehend the foreign exchange mechanism, global monetary system and its
implications for business strategy and currency management.
·
To
examine strategies and behaviors related to a multinational corporation’s (MNC)
global competitiveness in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, and human
resource management.
INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS page 2
Prof.
Ed LeMay
REQUIRED TEXT & OTHER
COURSE MATERIALS:
1. Text: Hill, Charles (2000) Global Business, 2nd ed. Irwin/McGraw
Hill, Boston.
2. (CA) Current articles on various aspects
of international business (will be provided
…….by the instructor in an electronic or a hard copy format).
TEACHING METHODS:
Usually,
class will begin with a topic overview, highlighting and discussing the key
points, or a case discussion. Based on your homework, you will be asked to
elaborate on the subject issues and demonstrate your knowledge. Sometimes, our
class discussion will be supplemented by watching videos, or guest speaker
presentations to add dynamics and hands-on dimensions to the course.
The
group term project is to be a practical exercise and outcome of the course,
enabling you to conduct an in-depth study of international business issues and
prepare a business report according to areas of your interest.
Guest
speakers and video taped speakers will be used. One hour per week will be in the computer lab using Google and
other appropriate search engins, and the computer material supplied by the
publisher of your text.
Grading
Scale
A Superior
A- Outstanding
B+ Very good
B Good
B- Better than average
C+ Above average
C Average
C- Below average
D Poor
F Failure
(Letter
Grade = % of Total Points)
A (4.0) = 100-90%
A-
(3.7) = 88-89%
B+
(3.3) = 85-87%
B (3.0)
= 80-84%
B- (2.7)
= 78-79%
C+
(2.3) = 75-77%
C (2.0)
= 70-74%
C- (1.7)
= 68-69%
D (1.0)
= 58-67%
F (0.0)
< 58%
EXAMS: 40 Multiple Choice, Matching and Essay, 3
tests and 1 final exam.
GROUP PROJECT Paper (6 to 10 pages
long )
Presentation (~ 15 minutes long + Q & A)
CASE PRESENTATION: 1 case per group
PERSONAL
CONTRIBUTION (home
assignments, class participation, contribution)
International
Business page
3
Prof.
Ed LeMay
The
midterm exams are not cumulative and will include 40 multiple choice matching
and/or Essay. Each of them will be based on all materials incorporated in the
assigned text, class discussions, cases, written assignments, videos, and other
activities, taking place throughout the course. The final exam will be based on
a case with the following grade allocation: 80% - knowledge of
theoretical/methodological concepts and approaches; 20% - quality of practical
analysis and recommendations. Sample questions and exam review will be provided
approximately 1 week in advance. Take your class notes systematically to
enhance your learning and performance. Receiving the highest course grade (A)
will require evidence that you have gone beyond the obvious and that you have
expressed your knowledge and skills in a logical and compelling manner.
The
group project is designed to give you knowledge of electronic and conventional
information sources, develop comprehension and skills in critical analysis of
international business issues, and integrate them into a professional business
report.
The
project groups will consist of 6
students each. The textbook provides a Critical Thinking and Discussion
Questions section at the end of each chapter. Each group should select its
project topic from the issues presented in the 14 assignments. Please feel free
to formulate your topic by creatively expanding/modifying these issues, or
generating your own topic that is interesting, relevant to your career goals,
and manageable from a group project management standpoint. The topic must be
cleared with me. After clearing the
topic, the group should conduct research, and complete the project by writing a
business report and presenting its most important findings to the class. I will
serve as a project consultant and a sounding board providing positive critique
and advice – please take advantage and have your questions/drafts ready for
discussion in a proactive fashion. During the course, we will have several
project meetings with the agenda and expected outcomes specified in the
syllabus. I will judge the quality of your project management work based on
these meetings and my working communication with the group. Please refer to the
Group Project Guidelines for additional details.
The
goal of this activity is to develop your skills in analyzing international
business issues, finding relevant information, suggesting solutions, and
communicating them, in a professional manner, to the class. A group of 3
students selects one of the cases, according to the syllabus. Acting as an
international business consulting firm the presenting group analyzes the case,
prepares solutions/recommendations, and plans and runs a class discussion of
this case. Time allocation: 15 min.
Generically,
a case analysis should address the following major points as applicable:
§ The case (major events and players,
their background) and a company profile;
§ Business environment as relates to
the company/industry covered by the case, and
§ Country/regional environment in which
the case takes place.
After
having the class discuss the case, the group presents and explains, in a
professional manner, its own solutions/ recommendations. Do not complicate your
case analysis with irrelevant information. Please discuss your case
presentation scenario with the instructor prior to the date of presentation to
provide for necessary adjustments. A short PPP handout (1 copy per student in
class) is required. Attire: casual.
Evaluation criteria:
·
Quality
of the case analysis, conclusions and recommendations.
·
Quality
of presentation.
·
Completeness,
additional sources, and relevant
information used.
·
Quality
of handouts provided.
Attendance
and courtesy in class are important: in addition to reading your textbook
materials and completing home assignments, you will learn a great deal from
videos, discussions, and other activities in class. Your attendance and
participation will contribute to the success of other students. Your timely
arrival and common courtesy are greatly encouraged and appreciated. Each class
weighs 3.5% of the attendance grade points. Missing more than 5 classes (17% of
their total number over the course) will result in a total loss of your
attendance grade points.
Various
activities and techniques are used in the class to introduce, discuss and
exchange ideas, experiences and attitudes. Your questions, answers, relevant
remarks, and other participative and supportive activities are welcome and
should demonstrate your knowledge and encourage information and attitudinal
exchange, as well as promote a creative atmosphere in the class conducive to
learning. Please refer to the following GRADING EXAMPLE to assess your current
academic standing and make the course grade projections.
Example:
Suppose,
the student’s grades throughout the course were as follows:
Midterm
1 = 75; Midterm 2 = 85; Midterm 3 = 90; Final = 90; Group Project1 = 80; Case
Presentation = 75;
Attendance
= 85; and Personal Contribution = 85.
The
course grade will be calculated as follows:
75* .15 + 85 *
.15 + 90* .15 + 90* .15 + 80*
.15 +75* .05 +85 * .1 + 85* .1 = 83.75 = B
1Paper
and presentation will be graded separately: your individual grade for the group
project will be calculated as a percentage of the group grade based on your individual
peer evaluation score; your individual grade for the presentation will be equal
to the group grade.
Written
Assignments. Written assignments and
projects are due at the beginning of the class, according to the syllabus or
assignment specification, unless noted otherwise. Late submission will be
penalized in grade ( .3 points per 2 working days overdue). Traditional excuses
(malfunctioning computers, damaged diskettes, etc.) will not be accepted: you
should apply your contingency management knowledge and skills.
Broken
Obligations. If you are scheduled for
class activities and cannot attend, whatever the reason, please do your best to
arrange for another student in the class to substitute for you. Notify the
instructor in advance of this change.
Possible
Changes. Expect some changes to occur
as a result of developing opportunities and my efforts to improve the course,
e.g., guest speakers, new publications, etc.
Communication. International business means a high level of
uncertainty and requires intensive communication. If you are not certain or
have questions, don't hesitate to contact the instructor. Problems have to be
discussed and resolved as early as possible, not when it is too late.
Missed
Midterm Exams. A make up midterm exam
can be allowed only under extraordinary circumstances (e.g. medical illness or
death in the family) during the final exam week. Student must provide proper
supporting document).
TENTATIVE
COURSE WORK
Introduction
and Administrative Matters: Syllabus,
Course Format, Exams, Grading Policies, Interaction and Communication, Personal
Adjustments.
Using
electronic and conventional sources of information in international business
research: presentation by Glenn Johnson-Grau. 8Class will meet at LMU Library,
R #204.
Term
Project Overview
Video:
Globalization
Globalization
Country
Differences in Political Economy.
Differences
in Culture (1).
Differences
in Culture (2).
Video:
Going International; part 2.
Group
Project Meeting #1. Expected
outcomes: A preliminary list of the project group members. Questions to the
instructor about the project.
International
Trade Theory.Video: European Union
Due
date to form project groups and select topic. Each group is expected to submit
a 1-page written memo with a topic and
a list of the group members.
EXAM
I: time allocation: 1hour.
The
Political Economy of International Trade.
Foreign
Direct Investment.
Regional
Economic Integration (1).
8Group
Project Meeting #2. Expected
outcomes: Outline, description of the group members’ functions and
responsibilities in the project, project milestone schedule.
Regional
Economic Integration (2).
Video:
To Russia With Fries.
Study
the course syllabus.
Select
3 alternative topics for the Group Project. Look for good project teammates.
Text: Ch. 1. Case: Citigroup.
This
assignment is due for class session #4; next assignment is for #5, etc.
Text:
Ch. 2. Case: General Electric in
Hungary.
Text: Ch. 3. Case: Disney in France.
CA:
TBA. Prepare your individual project
proposals. Bring them for the group discussion.
Text:
Ch. 4. Case: The Rise of the Indian Software Industry.
Study
material related to sessions 1-8.
SCANTRON
(Form 882) and bring
a #2 pencil.
Text:
Ch. 5. Case: Shrimps, Turtles, and the WTO.
Text:
Ch. 6. Case: FDI IN Russia.
Please
download the Country Commercial Guide: Russia from the National Trade Data Bank
or the Internet and study it.
Text: Ch. 7. Case: Martin Textiles.
Each
group is expected to submit a 1-page written memo summarizing the listed items.
CA:
TBA.
Possible
Handout: McDonald’s.
The
Foreign Exchange Market.
The Global Monetary System (1).
MIDTERM EXAM 2: time allocation: 1 hour.
The
Global Monetary System (2).
Video: The History of the European Monetary Union
Global
Strategy (1).
Video: Transforming Leadership.
Entering
Foreign Markets (1).
8Last
day to withdraw from class.
Entering
Foreign Markets (2).
Video: Made in America: the Story of American
Business Success in Japan.
Global
Marketing and Product Development.
Global Operations Management.
Video:
Forging International Partnership.
Global Human Resource Management (1).
MIDTERM
EXAM 3: time allocation: 1 hour.
Please
use the remaining 20 minutes for project-related issues.
Holiday!!!
8
Group Project Meeting #3.
Expected
outcomes: A draft of your Group Project Report.
Group
Project Presentations
8
Group project report is due.
Group
Project Presentations
Group
Project Presentations
8
Peer evaluation is due.
Text:
Ch. 8. Case: The Collapse of the Thai Baht.
Text:
Ch. 9. Case: Caterpillar, Inc.
Study
material related to sessions 10-15.
Bring
a SCANTRON (Form 882) and a #2 pencil.
CA:
TBA.
Text:
Ch. 10. Case: Sweden’s IKEA.
Text:
Ch. 11. Case: Downey’s Soup.
CA:
TBA.
Text:
Ch. 12. Case: Nike.
Text:
Ch. 13. Case: Timberland.
Text:
Ch. 14. Case: Colgate-Palmolive.
Study
material related to sessions 17-23.
Bring
a SCANTRON (Form 882) and a #2 pencil.
Questions
to the instructor on finishing your paper and presentation.
FINAL
EXAM Section 04: 11:00am.