INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Course Description and Purpose

International business concerns all the commercial/dealings that take place between two or
more countries. The best modes of operation in an international context may not be the same as
those of the purely domestic business environment. International business involves activities
such as exporting and importing, dealing with foreign governments, cultures and regulations, as
well as domestic regulations affecting those firms who seek to do business outside their home
country

The course also demonstrate how international business variables have an effect on the trade
process. It aims to underscore the realities of international business; talk about some of the
advantages and its problems that arises when business is carried out on the international stage.
By the end of the course the student will be able to address

Course Objectives:

1. to introduce students to the field of international business.

2. to become familiar with basic areas:
(a) underlying theories of international business,
(b) environmental factors affecting international activities,
(c) and the management of business functional operations in an international context.
(d) Mode of entries in international business

3. to learn how to analyze international situations and evaluate contemporary issues in international
business.

4. To anticipate key firm issues in doing business abroad and be able to give recommendations &

5. recognize the vast differences in cultures around the world and how they influence business

Course Requirements:

1. Case analysis will elaborate on basic issues in the field of international business to ensure a
breadth of understanding in the class.

2. Reading assignments will offer more specific insights into particular areas of international
business, providing depth of understanding.
3. Suggested Optional Readings, such as The Economist, will provide up-to-date, real-life
examples of the abstract theories and generalizations of the textbook and lectures.

4. The Exams will offer students the opportunity to integrate everything they have learned in the
course into a comprehensive framework, which will help make concepts seem more real, and aid
in applying those concepts to everyday life.

5. Presentations/ Output Paper ( Country Paper)

6. Interactive learning/ Student engagement and teaching will enrich the learning experience of
all students, and that each student will work in partnership with the professor to create a positive
learning experience for all (contributions to debate and discussion (if any), positive interactive
learning with others, and an enthusiastic attitude towards inquiry. Everyone is expected to be a
positive contributor to the class learning community, and students are expected to share the
responsibility of teaching each other.)

7. Quizzes ( In my opinion, the quizzes are the only portion of this course that really puts pressure
on the students to perform.

Part 1: Foundation Concepts

1. Definition of international business; globalization

2. The rise of globalization; types

Part 2: The Environment of International Business (I)

1. The Cultural Environment of International Business

 The role of culture in the conduct of international business

 Identify the Various elements of culture

2. Ethics and International Business

3. Theories of International Trade and Investment

 Specialization; its advantages

 Theory/ concept of comparative advantage
 4. Political and Legal Systems in National Environments

Part 2: The Environment of International Business (II)

1. Government Intervention in International Business

2. Regional Economic Integration

 The levels of economic integration

 The various arguments about economic integration

3. Developing Economies, Emerging Markets, and Advance Economies

Part 3: Strategy and Organization in the International Firm

1. Strategic and Organization in the International Firm

2. Global Market Opportunity evaluation/assessment

3. Trade and investment Policies

4. The role of foreign aid in international trade and investment
5. The goals and functions of GATT and NAFTA
6. Policies and Laws
7. Why international business behavior is regulated
8. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
9. The role of international law in the conduct of international business

Part 4: Entering and Operating in International Markets

1. Indirect exporting and importing

2. Licensing; Advantages and disadvantages of licensing
3. Countertrade

4. Exporting and Countertrade

5. Foreign Direct Investment and Collaborative Ventures

6. Licensing, Franchising, and Other Contractual Strategies

7. Global Sourcing

Part 5: Functional Area

1. Marketing in the Global Firm

 How foreign target market is selected

 The pricing strategy for export items
 Analysis for estimating market potential

2. Human Resource Management in the Global Firm

3. Financial Management and Accounting in the Global Firm

4. International logistics
5. Usefulness of free trade zones