DOERMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

D 490-01C Special Studies in International Business Administration

COURSE SYLLABUS (Revised 5-13-18)
Summer 2018

COURSE INFORMATION

Course: Special Studies in International Business Administration CRN: 31740

Days: MTR Time: 10 am - 12:20 pm
Course Prerequisites: M301, F301, P301, Z302 Room: Kettler G52

CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor: Ahmed Rachdi Office: Neff 330E

Phone: 260-481-0116 Fax: 260-481-6879
Office Hours: by appointment E-mail: rachdia@pfw.edu

TEXTBOOK

Wild, John J. and Wild, Kenneth L., International Business: The Challenges of Globalization,8th Ed., 2016 ISBN:
978-0-13-386624-7

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The primary objective is to instill a global outlook by increasing your awareness and appreciation of Morocco’s
political, cultural, economic, and business environments. The program of study in Morocco offers a unique
and highly personal cultural immersion experience. The course will also provide a significant opportunity for
developing communication, cross-functional analytical and decision making skills in a Moroccan-
American context. Developing a complete international marketing plan for a northeast Indiana firm will
not only provide focus and a frame of reference to the Morocco study trip, but also contribute to regional
economic development. By the end of the course you should be able to:
• understand the role of culture and its implications for international marketing;
• give an explanation for globalization processes in companies;
• identify the ways that marketing can create and sustain customer value in international markets;
• describe the ways in which products are traded internationally;
• reflect on the role of marketing in a global context;
• develop and present an international marketing plan for a consumer product or service; and
• collaborate effectively with your teammates and other project stakeholders.

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 TEACHING METHODOLOGY

I will rely on the following methods: lectures, in-class group activities and discussions, collaborative teamwork,
cultural immersion, project-based learning, independent study, critical reflection, guest speakers

HOST INSTITUTIONS

Within an international environment, the Euromed University of Fes, or “UEMF,” seeks to deliver a high standard
of multilingual and multi-dimensional programs in Engineering and in Humanities & Social Sciences complemented
by cross-cutting classes on Euro-Mediterranean history, civilizations, heritage and languages along with transversal
courses in ICT’s and entrepreneurship. A number of these programs are already in place and others will be launched
in partnership with well-known Higher Education Institutions from several Euro-Mediterranean countries. Research
activities are also being conducted.

The overall construction of the UEMF eco-campus is expected to be completed by 2021. It will have the capacity to
host approximately 7,000 students and 650 staff members representing diverse nationalities of the Euro-
Mediterranean region and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Web site: http://www.ueuromed.org/pro/en/

The International University of Rabat, or “UIR,” is a semi-public university founded in 2010. It delivers double-
degrees, in collaboration with foreign universities, in law, engineering, aeronautics, energy engineering,
architecture, business management and political sciences. It has 2,900 students.

The university was founded in 2009 by the computer scientist Noureddine Mouaddib with the support of the
Moroccan state and the Caisse de dépôt et de gestion (CDG) (French for Deposit and Management Fund). It started
its activities in September 2010, following the foundation stone-laying ceremony by king Mohammed VI.

The university, the first of its kind in Morocco, was created under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher
Education, of Scientific Research and Managerial Staff Training.

The UIR is committed to support major development projects in the country (energy action plan, industrial growth,
aerospace, automotive, logistics, digital Morocco, sustainable development, NHDI, green Morocco...) through
training, research, innovation and technology transfer.

Web site: http://www.uir.ac.ma/

ITINERARY (Tentative)

We will be visiting important historical and tourist locations as well as our host institutions and Moroccan
companies. The itinerary is subject to change so your patience and flexibility is critical to the success of the trip. The
itinerary will be shared after the course starts. Actual course materials may be adjusted based on the professor's
preference or on itinerary changes

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

READING ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZZES

You should complete all reading assignments prior to the class meeting for that week so that you are
prepared to engage in group activities and discussions. You will find Chapter Quizzes in a folder in the
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Blackboard course site. You should complete the Chapter Quiz after reading each of the assigned chapters. You
will have two attempts at each quiz. The higher score will be used in your grade. Completion of the quizzes will
count toward your participation grade. Since there is limited time for lecture, you will have to gain
knowledge through independent reading of the textbook. The quizzes can help you achieve this goal.

TEAM PROJECT
Working as a team you will analyze Morocco’s cultural, economic, and political environment in order to
develop a marketing plan for a specific product(s) on behalf of our client company. The purpose of this assignment
is to facilitate cross-cultural understanding, gain experience in evaluating a country’s market potential, and develop
teamwork skills. The project includes preparing a detailed marketing plan for the client firm with as many
appendices, tables, etc. as needed, and a presentation to be made to the client firm.

MARKETING PLAN PROJECT

Use the “Country Notebook Writing Guide” in the Resources for Team Projects folder to write the market analysis
(Parts I-III) for your client firm. A template for your final draft can be found in the same folder in Blackboard along
with examples of completed student projects. Your project will have 4 parts, described below.

I. Cultural analysis
Describe and analyze cultural and political factors likely to have marketing implications. Relevant cultural
information includes geographical setting, social institutions (family, education, political, legal, etc.), religion, living
conditions, and language. In addition to reporting facts, it is important to interpret this information. You must
answer the question “What does this cultural information have to do with marketing the client’s product?”
II. Economic analysis
Your team should demonstrate an understanding of the economic information and highlight points of particular
significance from an international marketing plan perspective. Potential categories of information include
population, economic statistics and activity, developments in science and technology, distribution systems, and
media. You may adapt and modify these categories as necessary.

III. Market audit and competitive analysis

Describe and analyze competitive market conditions and market potential. You will use this information to develop
an appropriate marketing mix for the company’s product(s). Consider the conditions where the product will be sold,
competitors, government involvement, market size, etc. See the Country Notebook Writing Guide in Blackboard for
instructions.

IV. Preliminary marketing plan

Secondary research gathered in parts I through III will serve as the basis for developing a marketing plan for the client
firm’s product(s) in the target market. Your primary research, gathered from your focus groups and your surveys
will provide evidence supporting the specifics of your recommendations to the client. The preliminary marketing
plan reflects, in your team’s judgment, the most effective means of marketing the client’s product(s) in Morocco.
Budgets, expected profits and losses, and additional resources necessary to implement the proposed plan are also
presented. You have the option of recommending to market or not to market the product in Morocco, but your
recommendations must be supported with accurate and sufficient information.

USEFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR RESEARCH

Beth Boatright is the Business Reference Librarian at the Helmke Library. The class will meet with her early in the
summer session. She can be of enormous help to your team in every aspect of your project. Her email is
beth.boatright@pfw.edu. Her office is in the library in LB 160. Her phone number is 481-6499.

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 USEFUL WEBSITES
• IMF database: https://www.imf.org/external/data.htm
• World Fact Book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/index.html
• World Bank database: http://data.worldbank.org/country/morocco
• European Union: http://www.europa.eu
• World Export Import Bank: http://www.exim.gov
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): http://www.oecd.org
• BBC World News: www.bbc.com
• The Economist: http://www.economist.com
• Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/public/us
• Financial Times: http://www.ft.com
• Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com
• International Trade Association: http://www.ita.doc.gov
• Global Edge: http://globaledge.msu.edu

FORMAT OF MARKETING PLAN PROJECT

• The final written document should be 15 pages in length or longer (not including appendices and references).
• It should be written in concise business-style English.
• Use a combination of prose, short explanatory paragraphs, and bullet-point statements when appropriate. Do
not rely solely on terse bullet points.
• Include tables, charts and figures to describe numerical data.
• All tables, figures and appendices should be individually labeled and titled (e.g., Table 1: Descriptive
Statistics of …; Appendix A: Graphical Representation of …).
• Include pictures if appropriate.
• Cite your sources in the body of the text using APA citation style (URL is
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/). Include a References list at the end using APA style for
references (URL is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/).
• Use double-spacing with 12-point font.
• All members of the team should carefully inspect the document for grammatical and spelling errors.
• You do not get credit for correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. However, you will lose points if there are
problems in this area.
PRESENTATION
You should take advantage of Studio M, the student multimedia lab in Walb 220 and in the Learning Commons,
for help with graphics for your marketing plan or if you need help creating your PowerPoint presentation. Be sure
to bring your course syllabus with you. You can schedule an appointment by calling 481-0114 or by emailing
studiom@pfw.edu. For more information about Studio M go to http://www.ipfw.edu/studiom . The Studio M
web site also provides links to software tutorials that you may find useful. There is a second Studio M facility on
the 2nd floor of the library.
There is a presentation template in Blackboard but you should discuss the requirements of the presentation with
me before you start. All team members are required to participate in the presentation. Your client, the dean, invited
members of the public and faculty from the business school will be invited to your presentations.

Your team will have the opportunity to rehearse its presentation prior to presenting to the client firm.

EVIDENCE OF TEAMWORK
During the first week of class your team should discuss thoroughly the Code of Conduct, which is a document
separate from this syllabus. I will keep the signed copies.

Rather than splitting the project up among group members and then putting it together at the end, you should
approach the project as an integrated, cohesive document. This will help with the flow of the writing and
understanding of how each element relates to the others. Your grade will be reduced if it appears that you slapped
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together different parts written by different people. This indicates a lack of teamwork.

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIVE PAPER

Through reflection you will critically examine your experience in Morocco and articulate specific learning
outcomes. This activity is designed to deepen your learning.
The Reflective Paper is due upon your return from Morocco (see Course Calendar). Use Blackboard to turn it in.
Use the prompts below to write an essay of at least 2 pages single spaced. Write in clear, precise prose. Do not
simply answer the prompts.
• Describe your experience in the first paragraph. Use the 5 “Ws”: Who, what, why, when, where, plus how.
• What specific academic material was relevant to your experience? Explain relevant concepts, theories, etc.
clearly and concisely so that anyone could understand.
• What assumptions or expectations did you bring to the situation? How did they affect what you did or did not
think, feel, decide, or do? To what extent did your assumptions prove true? If they did not prove true, why was
there a discrepancy?
• In what ways did you succeed or do well in this situation (for example, interacting with others, accomplishing
tasks, handling difficulties) and what personal characteristics helped you to be successful (for example, skills,
abilities, perspectives, attitudes, tendencies, knowledge)?
• In what ways did you experience difficulties?
• In your last paragraph use these phrases to start your sentences. This will be your summary. “I learned that… I
learned this when (specific activity or instance). This learning matters because…In light of this learning my
goal is….”
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PARTICIPATION (IN FORT WAYNE)

• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class session, if you do not attend class, you will not be
able to participate.
• Arrive on time to class; frequent tardiness or absences will adversely affect your course grade.
• Have a positive attitude and be patient.
• Actively engage in class discussions and contribute to in-class activities.
• Be respectful of the teacher and your classmates.
• Use appropriate language that you would use in an office or other professional setting.
• Turn off cell phone ringers and take emergency calls outside of the classroom.
• Refrain from texting and surfing during class.

PARTICIPATION (IN MOROCCO)

• You must attend all lecture sessions organized by host institutions, Moroccan companies, and government
agencies. The purpose of the lectures is to ensure that all students understand the Moroccan perspective within
which this course is based. Come prepared with at least 3 questions to ask presenters at lectures and meetings.
• Stay focused on the marketing plan project.
• Stay in close touch with your team members.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct.

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 GRADING

Participation (Fort Wayne and Morocco) 30%

In-class activities 10%
Study trip 20%
Chapter Quizzes (10) 10%
Individual Reflective Paper 15%
Team Project 45%
Written project 30%
Presentation 15%
TOTAL 100%

Checking Your Grades. You can check your grades in Blackboard by clicking on My Grades.

Your final course grade: Because this course spans two summer sessions, you will receive an Incomplete for the
Summer I session. Your final grade for the course will be posted in MyIPFW by 12 noon on Monday, August 6,
when Summer II grades are posted. (Your final grade will not be posted in Blackboard.)

COURSE POLICIES

Academic misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action and will result in an “F”. Please refer to the IPFW
Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct contained in the Student’s Handbook for an explanation of
academic misconduct (http://bulletin.ipfw.edu/content.php?catoid=25&navoid=639#Code ). Plagiarism is
considered misconduct. Copying and pasting from the Internet without attribution is considered plagiarism.

When you email me, please use rachdia@pfw.edu. Please follow these guidelines:
• Start your message with a greeting.
• Formally address the person you are emailing to by using Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Professor, or other appropriate
title followed by the person’s last name.
• Use a meaningful subject line (make sure to include “D490”)
• Add a signature, including your name and contact information.

Electronic Devices Policy

From time to time you may use your laptop in class for research related to your projects. Please turn off
all other electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, pagers, etc.). Thank you for adhering to this
policy.

Finally, let us work together to make this course stimulating and intellectually rewarding experience in
team learning.

SPECIAL NEEDS

IPFW is committed to providing reasonable accommodation and access to programs and services to persons
with disabilities. If you have a disability or acquire one, contact the office of Services for Students with
Disabilities, Walb Student Union Rm. 113, 260-481-6657 http://new.ipfw.edu/offices/disabilities/text- version/.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The schedule and course requirements may be changed at any time by the instructor. You are
responsible for any changes made and announced in class or via email. If IPFW closes for any reason, the
material for that class session will be added to the scheduled material for the next class meeting. To find out if
IPFW is officially closed, call 481-5770.
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 SUMMER 2018 COURSE CALENDAR
NOTE: This course will span Summer I and II

Week 1 – May 14-19

• Read Syllabus.
• Meet with Charmane Skillen, Owner, S.A.L.T. Sisters on Thursday, May 17, in our classroom.
• Read Chapters 1-4 in Wild & Wild.
• Complete Chapter Quizzes for Chapters 1-4 by midnight Friday, May 18. (See Chapter Quizzes folder in
Blackboard).
• Discuss and sign Code of Conduct, if you have not already done so.
• Meet with Beth Boatright, Business Reference Librarian (TBD).
• Review and discuss slide presentation of Morocco.
• Start work on Parts I-III of Marketing Plan using the Country Notebook guide and template in Blackboard.
Please note: Given the advanced nature of this class, students are expected to offer significant input into the
design/subject matter of class sessions and to help identify the resources they need for their learning.

Week 2 – May 20-26

• Read Chapters 5-7, and Chapter 11 in Wild & Wild.

• Complete Chapter Quizzes for Chapters 5-7 and Chapter 11 by midnight Friday, May 25.
• Visit ahmedrachdi.weebly.com web site and learn to “Speak Moroccan”. Links are at top of Blackboard
main page.
• Work on Parts I-III of Marketing Plan using the Country Notebook guide and template in Blackboard.
• Meet students and faculty of host institution(s) via Skype (TBD).

Week 3 – May 27-June 2

• May 28 – Memorial Day, no class.

• Read Chapters 12 and 13 in Wild & Wild.
• Complete Chapter Quizzes for Chapters 12 and 13 by midnight Friday, June 1.
• Develop surveys and focus group questions.
• Pre-trip planning and cultural briefing.

Week 4 – June 3-9

• Work independently on Marketing Plan project.

• Finish work on survey and focus group questions.
• Instructor will be in Morocco making arrangements for the study trip.

Week 5 – June 10-16

Leave for Morocco Monday, June 11

Study trip to Morocco – Itinerary TBD.

Week 6 – June 17-23

Study trip to Morocco – Itinerary TBD.

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 Week 7 – June 24-29

Return to US Wednesday, June 27

• Presentation to client Friday, June 29.

Week 8 – July 1-7

• Individual Reflective Paper due Monday, July 2. Use link in Blackboard to turn in.
• Marketing Plan Project due in Blackboard by midnight, Wednesday, July 3.

The schedule and course requirements may be changed at any time by the instructor. You are responsible for
any changes made and announced in class or via email.