SYLLABUS

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

BSNS 4120

SEMESTER I, 01-02

3 Semester Hours

Professor: Frank Pianki

Office: Hardacre 122

Phone: 4372

Office Hrs: MWF 8:30-9:00 a.m./MWF 10:00-11:00 a.m./ MWF 1:30-3:30 p.m./T 11:00-12:00 a.m./T 1:00-3:00p.m.

Class: MWF 9:00 to 9:50 p.m., Hartung 159

Course Description:

This course examines the challenges facing managers that are competing in a global economy. In particular, we will devote our attention to strategic management in a globally competitive environment and the role of culture in motivation, leadership, communication, negotiation, decision making, HRM practices, and the management of a multicultural workforce abroad or at home. We will cover the process of management based on both the macro (organizational) level of environment and strategy and the micro (interpersonal) level of culture and human resources. Some of the critical topics to be explored include:

1. Assessing the Environment of International Management.

2. Understanding the Cultural Context of International Management.

3. Formulating and Implementing Strategy for International Operations.

4. Managing Human Resources around the World.

Global managers in today's world must be comfortable not only in dealing with internal managerial issues confronting their organizations but also external issues including the political, legal, cultural, theological, geographical and economic environments. Particular focus will be given to understanding major trade theories from both the natural order of trade (trade patterns under laissez-faire) and governmental influence on trade. Emphasis will also be placed on the distinctive characteristics between developed, developing, third world and transitional economies.

The tools to accomplish these goals include:

· Cases from real-life examples

· Use of outside speakers

· Research on the internet and other sources

· Project and assignments that encourage application and awareness of issues

Prerequisites for the course include ACCT 2010, ECON 2010, BSNS 2710 and 2810.

International Business

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Required Text and Materials:

International Management, 3rd edition, Deresky

* Their website has additional information to supplement the text…http://www.prenhall.com/Deresky

* Access to Wall Street Journal and CNN on a daily basis.

Attendance:

Be prompt and no more than three (3) unexcused absences without penalty to grade. One letter grade will be deducted for each unexcused absence over three (3).

Instructional Techniques:

A variety of methods will be used including lecture, video, student research and presentation, experiential games, discussion, guest lecturers, role-playing, and analysis of current events.

Other Reference Materials:

Periodicals such as: International Business; World Business; Trade & Culture; The Economist; Foreign Trade; and Trade and Development. Newspapers are also a good source of current information, including: International Herald Tribune; Asian Wall Street Journal; European; and The Straits Times. Lastly, the World Wide Web contains a vast resource of international information.

Course Work:

Three exams will be given (including the final) and will cover assigned reading. They will be primarily multiple choice questions with one essay question.

In-class reviews and assignments will include responses to videos and guest speakers as well as participatory games and exercises. Participation will be factored into your grade!

Out-of-class assignments include write-ups of case questions and other study questions. These will be assigned in advance. Also included will be one visit to a cultural event such as an ethnic festival, art exhibit, restaurant, etc.

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The cultural analysis project will be done in groups of 3 or 4 students. A country will be identified (subject to approval for the instructor) and an employee-training program will be developed for employees who are scheduled to work (and live) in that country. What should your employees know in order to survive and thrive in this foreign country?.

· This project will cover the semester including current events and preliminary reports. What is going on that might impact your employee's safety, economic viability, personal freedom, etc?

· The final project is a comprehensive training manual that includes detailed descriptions of topics such as explicit culture (manners, dress, gestures, greetings, gift giving, etc), the implicit culture (norms, beliefs, folkways, values, etc), involvement of the government in the business environment, exchange rates and money, language (verbal and silent), legal issues, technology, capabilities of the workforce, etc

· Your group will be responsible for charting the activity of your country’s exchange rate and should be prepared to discuss at all times.

· At various times during the semester your group will be called upon to give opinions from the perspective of the citizenry of your selected country. How would a native of the country feel about an issue?

· Finally, toward the end of the semester, each student will be required to complete an anonymous evaluation of his/her team members. This information will then be used as part of each individuals project grade calculation.

· At times I will start the class by randomly asking a group to give a brief verbal report on the key current events issues going on in your country. Keep up to date with current events!

· A more thorough description of the project will be distributed in September.

Components of Grades:

Exams (3) 30%

In-class reviews and assignments 20%

Out-of-class assignments 20%

Cultural project 30%

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Grading Scale:

93%-100% A

90%-92 A-

87%-89% B+

83%-86% B

80%-82% B-

77%-79% C+

73%-76 C

70%-72% C-

60% - 69% D

Below 60% F

Classroom Participation:

One of the best learning methods employed in this course is that of "sharing". We all have different background experiences, perspectives, and perhaps prejudices. In addition, we will all conduct research from varying sources, the results of which should be contributed to the good of the larger group.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF COURSE

(Subject to some variation as appropriate)

Session Topic Chapter

9/5 Introduction to course and syllabus

9/7 International Business: An Overview pp. 2-19 1

9/10 International Business: continued 1

9/12 In-class exercise

9/14 The Cultural Environments Facing Business 2

9/17 The Cultural Environments Facing Business 2

9/19 Country analysis project teams assigned;

research resources reviewed

9/21 Cultural current events reports on countries

9/24 The Political/Legal Environments Facing Business 3

9/26 Case: Bata, Ltd. Q #1, #2, and #3 (pp. 130+) 3

9/28 Political Current events on countries

10/1 The Economic Environment 4

10/3 Case: McDonald’s Corp. (pp. 138+) 4

10/5 Country reports on the economic environments

10/8 Country Evaluation and Selection 13

10/10 Case: Royal Dutch Shell/Nigeria (pp. 561+)

10/12 Open

10/15 International Trade Theory 5

10/17 International Trade Theory (continued) 5

10/19 Fall Break

10/18 Government Influence on Trade 6

10/22 No class

10/24 Weds. Night Investment & Trade Game (6:00-9:00pm)

10/26 No class

10/29 Government Influence on Trade (continued) 6

10/31 Interim country analysis reports due

11/21 Foreign Exchange 9

11/5 Case: Ilusion Textiles and the Mexican Peso (pp. 400+)

11/7 Case: A NAFTA Dilemma (pp.323+) 9

11/9 Country analysis reports due on the exchange rates

11/12 Marketing 16

11/14 Case: Avon (pp. 694+; Q1, 3 & 4 due

11/16 Cases: Pepsico (pp. 512+) and Coca-Cola (pp. 782+)

11/19 Current Events

11/21 Issues in the developing countries

11/23 Thanksgiving

11/26 Thanksgiving

11/28 Guest Speaker

11/30 Global Operations Management and Sourcing Strategies 18

12/3 Country project work (no class)

12/5 Presentations

12/7 Presentations

12/10 Presentations

12/12 Presentations

12/14 Country Projects Due

12/17 Final Exam (7:40-9:20 a.m.)

Revision date 9/4/00

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