BA21003 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

A. COURSE SUMMARY
Code BA21003
Title Introduction to International Business/Pengenalan Perniagaan Antarabangsa
Session Semester 2 2019/2020
Facilitators Dr. Jaratin Bin Lily
Tel: 0198895574
Room: No.72 (4-19-B), Level 4, FPEP
Time/Place FRIDAY/0800-1100/DKP9
Synopsis Globalization has led to an intense growth in cross-border transactions as
individuals, firms and governments engage in international business. Therefore, a
study of international business is needed by business students to understand the
complexities of cross-border transactions and how firms face the challenges of
globalization. This course will provide an overview of the international business
environment, the opportunities and the risks that firms encounter when they do
business internationally. Such knowledge will enable students to advise or manage
businesses that plan to compete in the international market.
Learning At the end of the course, the students SHOULD be able to:
Objectives
1. Explain the global environment and how companies going international. (PLO1,
C3)
2. Analyse and make a decision on the opportunities, challenges and complexities
of doing business internationally. (PLO4, A3, P3)
3. Apply international business theories to determine effective strategies that
companies can use and apply by operating good business practice to compete
in the global market. (PLO8, A4 )

Assessment The assessment for this course will be based on the following:

1 Individual Assignment: Case Study 20%

2 Group Assignment: Report (25%), Presentation (5%) 30%
3 Midterm/Quiz 10%
4 Final Exam 40%
Grand Total 100%

All components of the above assessment are compulsory and must be completed
before the required deadline.
References Textbooks and references:
Hill C.W.L., Wee C.H. & Udayasankar K. (2019). International Business: Competing
in the Global Marketplace. 12th Edition. McGraw Hill.

Daniels J.D. , Radebaugh L.H., & Sullivan D.P. (2019). International Business:
Environments and Operations. 16th Edition. Pearson.

Cavusgil S.T., Knight G. & Riesenberger J.R. (2020). International Business: The
new realities. 5th Edition. Pearson.

Peng M.W. (2014). Global Business (International Edition). South-Western

Cengage Learning.

Czinkota, M.R., Ronkainen, I.A. & Moffett, M.H. 2011. International Business.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

www.bloomberg.com
www.ft.com

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https://www.mckinsey.com/
Other relevant news websites, articles, reports and journals
Other Course Assessment
additional Students are required to fill in the course assessment starting from week 11
information
Online Resources
Any updated information and course contents will be furnished via the
SmartUMS. Participants are advised to visit the course page at least once a
week.

A Gentle Reminder
Participant must complete all parts of the course assessment. One could be
barred from taking the final examination if he or she failed to complete course
assessment. In such case, a grade “E” would be granted.

Software
Mendeley

At the end of the semester, students may evaluate themselves how much knowledge they have gained from the course.
Students are welcomed to give any comments and suggestion to improve the quality of teaching and course.

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B. COURSE SCHEDULE
Prepared for class/Tutorial/
Week Subject Self-Exercises
Chap. Submission and Presentation Chapters/Material/Article
1  Course introduction
1
(14.2)  Introduction to International Business [Online]
2
 National Differences in PESTLE environment: I 2,3
(21.2)
3
 National Differences in PESTLE environment: II 4,5
(28.2)

4  International Trade Theory

6,7
(6.3)  Government Policy and International Trade

5  Foreign Direct Investment Google in China: Protecting Property and Rights

8,9
(13.3)  Regional Economic Integration Case study One Submission [Online]
6  The Foreign Exchange Market
10,11
(20.3)  The International Monetary System
7
 Midterm (Chapter 1-Chapter 5)
(27.3)
8
 The Strategy of International Business 13
(3.4)
Semester Break (6.04.2020 until 12.04.2020)
9
 The Organization of International Business 14
(17.04)
10  Entering Foreign Markets IKEA: Furniture Retailer to the World
15,16
(24.04)  Exporting, Importing, and Countertrade Case Study Two Submission [Online]
11
 Global Marketing and R&D [Online] 18
(01.05)
12
 Global Human Resource Management 19
(08.05)
13 Group Presentation I
 Global Production and Supply Chain Management [Online} 17
(15.05) Group Assignment Submission [Online]
14
 Revision
(22.05)
15 Study week

NOTE: While every attempt will be made to keep to the schedule listed above, unexpected circumstances may require modification throughout the semester. PLEASE REFER YOUR SMARTUMS FOR UPDATED
INFORMATION REGARDING THE COURSE.

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C. ASSIGNMENTS
1. Group Project: International Expansion

In this project, your group will work as a consultant to help a Malaysian company (listed firm in
Bursa Malaysia) to enter one of the foreign countries. The company should have not entered the
selected country yet.

The Analysis and Report consist of the following parts:

1. Company Background
1) Introduction of the company background
• Current Company Operations
• Current Company Marketing
• Current Company Financial Conditions
• Current Company Human Management
• Any important issues
2) Justification why the company is chosen for the specific country

2. Internal Evaluation/Firm Analysis

1) Discuss the selected firm’s main Strengths and Weakness from the following perspective.
• Resources: land, equipment, knowledge, brand equity, intellectual property,
etc.
• Core competencies
• Capabilities
• Functional areas: management, operations, marketing, finances, human
resources and R&D
• Organizational culture
• Value chain activities

3. External evaluation/Country Analysis

1) Identify one potential country for international business expansion. Give general
justification why do you choose the country.
2) Discuss the Threats and Opportunities for the potential country from the perspective of
foreign investor through PESTEL (Politic, Economic, Socio-Cultural, Technology,
Environment, Laws) analysis

4. SWOT Analysis and Strategy Formulation

1) Based on your internal and external evaluation/ analysis, do the SWOT matrix analysis.
• There are four combinations of criteria in the TOWS Matrix that are used to
compare strategies. The organization should be looking for one that offers the
greatest chance for success.
• Strengths-Opportunities (SO: Aggressive): How can you use
your strengths to take advantage of these opportunities? For
example, if an organization has a positive and strong brand image,
they can use that asset to explore and dominate a new area of the
market.
• Weaknesses-Opportunities (WO: Competitive): How can you
use your opportunities to overcome the weaknesses you are
experiencing? For example, an organization that does not have
anyone with a body of knowledge that is necessary to grow and attain
a competitive advantage in the industry should take advantage of the
opportunity to partner with a company that has that information.
• Strengths-Threats (ST: Conservative): How can you take
advantage of your strengths to avoid real and potential threats? For

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instance, when facing competition in an area of the market or if trying
to acquire a new client base, the organization needs to emphasize its
most advantageous qualities, such as its customer service, longevity,
high quality goods, efficient processes, etc.
• Weaknesses-Threats (WT: Defensive): How can you minimize
your weaknesses and avoid threats?. For example, if an organization
has not yet marketed its products to an emerging demographic
group(s), research can be conducted to understand the target
audience and market appropriately.

Your group must only choose which strategy is the most appropriate for the selected firm.
Give justification.

5. Company Entry Strategy and Implementation

i. Identify the best product or business you can bring into the selected country. If the
company has a few of product range, please choose one or two only (with justification).

ii. Based upon your group’s decision on the strategy, then suggest the entry mode that is
appropriate for your firm to enter the selected country. Give justification, advantages and
disadvantages for your selected entry mode.

6. Conclusion
Summary your research on the selected country analysis and what is your hope from this
investment

7. Appendix
8. References

Guidelines
Font : 11 Tahoma
Spacing : 1.5
Pages : Maximum 30 pages (excluding tables and figures)
Dateline : Refer the Course Schedule

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2. Individual Assignment: Case Study

There are two case studies. Please refer the course schedule.

The writing guideline is as follows:

1.0 Case Summary
• Summarise the case study using your own words.
• The length should not be more than one page.

2.0 Problem Identification

• List all potential problems.
• Discuss the problems within the case.
• Differentiate symptoms from problems.

3.0 Alternative Strategies

• Discuss several alternative solutions for the case problem.
• Choose two or three alternative strategies.
• The alternatives must be able to resolve the problem stated.

4.0 Evaluation of Alternative Strategies

• If the strategy is implemented, what are the possible positive and negative outcomes.
• Evaluate each alternative strategy in 3.0.

5.0 The Best Strategy and Justification

• Choose the best strategy to resolve the problem stated.
• The strategy can be a combination of the strategies listed.
• Justify why it is the best approach chosen.
• Do not merely repeat the strengths listed in the evaluation part

6.0 Implementation
• Divide implementation into short- and long-term implementation.
• Describe the implementation of the strategy chosen in detail, step by step.
• In the long-term implementation, try to resolve all the other problems in the case not covered
by your problem statement.
• Describe steps necessary in how to prevent the problems from recurring in future.

7.0 Conclusion
• Summary of your report and lesson learnt.

Guidelines
Font : 11 Tahoma
Spacing : 1.5
Dateline : Refer the Course Schedule

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Appendix C: Assessment Rubric

1. GROUP PROJECT

Project (25% Report & 5% Presentation): MQF8

Students are required to form a group. Identify one foreign country and analyse country environment. Identify entering strategy and applicable product or services to introduce in
foreign country after perform SWOT analysis.

LEVEL OF APPLICABILITY
NO SUBATTRIBUTE Very Weak Weak Fair Good Very Good
Not able to identify Able to partially identify and Able to identify and Independently able to Able identify and
and analyse issues analyse the issues with analyse the issues identify and analyse the provide clear analysis on
Issues Identification even with assistance maximum assistance with minimum issues clearly without the issues clearly and
assistance assistance accurately
1 Introduction about selected company
(5%)

2 Internal Evaluation/Firm Analysis

(5%)

3 External evaluation/Country Analysis

4 SWOT Analysis and Strategy
Formulation (5%)
5 Company Entry Strategy and
Implementation (5%)
6 Confident level to deliver analysis in
group presentation (5%)

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2. CASE STUDY: (20%)

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
ATTRIBUTE & SUBATTRIBUTE LEVEL OF APPLICABILITY
No
Very Weak Weak Fair Good Very Good Marks

Problem Identification Identification of Main Identifies and Identifies and Identifies and Identifies and
Issues/Problems is not demonstrates a little demonstrates demonstrates an demonstrates a
present understanding of acceptable accomplished Sophisticated
1 the main understanding of understanding of understanding of the 5%
issues/problems in some of the Most of the main issues/problems in
the case study. issues/problems in issues/problems. the case study.
the case study.
Recommended Solution/Answers Recommendations on Little or no action Some actions Supports Supports diagnosis and
Effective suggested and/or suggested and/or diagnosis and opinions with strong
Solutions/Strategies are inappropriate inappropriate opinions with arguments and well-
not present solutions proposed solutions proposed to limited reasoning documented evidence;
to the issues in the the issues in the case and evidence; presents a balanced and
2 case study. study. presents a critical view; 5%
somewhat one- interpretation is both
sided argument; reasonable and
demonstrates little objective
engagement with
ideas presented.

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