Syllabus

Introduction to International Business and Trade

Syllabus Sections

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 READINGS
 COURSE SUBJECTS
 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Publish Date

10/06/2010 05:54:56

Introduction to International Business and Trade

IBUS-1305

Fall 2010
08/23/2010 - 12/12/2010

Course Information

Section 004 
Lecture 
TTh 12:00 - 13:20
RGC1 124 
Mortada Mohamed

Office Hours

No office hours have been entered for this term

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
COURSE Requirements

Project (15%):  Each student will develop a Foreign Market Opportunity Assessment.  You will choose a company,
product or service and a country.  The company could be imaginary or real.  The purpose of this project is to reinforce
all the information covered in Chapters 1-11 which represents a macro perspective but your project will be on a micro
or firm level perspective.  We will discuss the chapter and the outline.  I will also suggest some helpful web sites to
use. The outline for this project is listed and detailed in Chapter 12 of your textbook

Presentation (5 %)      Each student  will summarize their findings in a short 10-15 minute presentation during the
final week of class. The presentations will be graded on:

 Content–extent to which the presentation is related to an important point of course content

 Clarity-    organization of your arguments and presentations, analysis of your key points, and
persuasiveness of your position
 Grammar -use of correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
 Accuracy –of the country, date, and business model presented
  Articulation – organization and articulation of your oral presentation

Homework (10 %) - There will be homework assignments, current events articles during the semester.

Tests (60%)  Three exams will be administered. The exams will cover the material included in the textbook chapters,
handouts and lectures.  Missed Tests: Make up tests will not be given except in extreme cases with supportive
documentation.  You must notify the professor prior to the day of the test or the next class.

Participation(10%).  All students are expected to participate actively in class discussion.  This includes evidence of
thorough prior preparation of course materials, engaging in exercises, etc.  Attendance at all sessions is required
except in previously arranged cases/emergencies. 

READINGS
Cavusgil, S., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. (2008).International Business: Strategy, Management, and the New
Realities. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-173860-7. [Available at the ACC bookstore.]

Additional Suggested Resources:

Textbook web site        http://www.prenhall.com/cavusgil/

Global Edge                 http://globaledge.msu.edu/

The Economist                  http://www.economist.com/

The Financial Times   http://www.ft.com/home/us

COURSE SUBJECTS
Chapters 1 through 19 in the textbook.- Cavusgil, S., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. (2008).International Business:
Strategy, Management, and the New Realities. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-173860-7.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/LEARNING

OBJECTIVES
Course Description & Rationale

This introductory course focuses on the core concepts and techniques for entering the international marketplace.
Emphasis is on the effect of sociocultural, demographic, economic, technological, and political-legal factors in the
foreign trade environment. As an introductory survey course, we will cover a variety of topics to illustrate the unique
nature of international business including the patterns of world trade, currency exchange and international finance,
globalization of the firm, international marketing, and operating procedures of the multinational enterprise.

Learning Objectives

The course demonstrates how international business variables affect the trade process.  It aims to highlight the
realities of international business; some of its advantages and its problems that come when business is conducted on
the international stage. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
By the end of this course, the student will be able to address:

A. Background for International Business

§ the definition international business

§ the rise of globalization

§ the U.S.position in international trade

B. Theories of International Trade & Investment

§ the advantages of specialization

§ the concept of comparative advantage

C. The International Monetary System

§ the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

§ fixed and floating exchange rates

§ the impact of European currency (EURO)

§ be able to calculate foreign exchange rates

D. International Financial Markets

§ how a foreign exchange market functions

E. Economic Integration among Countries

§ the levels of economic integration

§ the various arguments of economic integration

§ the organization of the European Community

F. Trade and Investment Policies

§ the role of foreign aid in international trade and investment

§ the goals and function of GATTand NAFTA

G. Politics and Laws

§ the reasoning behind the regulation of international business behavior

§ the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

§ the role of international law in the conduct of international business

H. The Cultural Challenge

 § the role of culture in international business

§ identify various elements of culture

I. Starting International Operations

§ various entry strategies used by firms to initiate international business activity

§ indirect exporting and importing

§ advantages and disadvantages of licensing

J. International Logistics

§ international logistics

§ the usefulness of free trade zones

K. International Marketing

§ how a foreign target market is selected

§ the pricing strategy for export items

§ analysis for  estimating market potential

L. International Human Resources

§ the objectives of human resource management in an international firm

§ how the HR function changes as a firm goes global

§ differences and similarities of training employees in different countries

Course Contents
 
Unit 1: Introduction to Strategies:  Introduction, Fundamentals of Strategy, Conceptual
Evolution of Strategy, Scope and Importance of Strategies, Purpose of Business,
Difference between Goals and Objectives of Business, Strategic Intent through Vision
and Mission Statements, Core Competencies of Business
 
Unit 2: Strategic Management:  Introduction, Strategic Management, Need, scope, key
features and importance of strategic management, Role of Strategists in Decision Making,
strategists at various management levels, Types of Strategies, Limitations of Strategic
Management
 
Unit 3: Strategy Analysis:  Introduction, Strategy Analysis and its Importance,
Environmental Appraisal and Scanning Techniques, Organisational Position and Strategic
Advantage Profile, Strategic Management Model
 
Unit 4: Strategy Formulation and Implementation:  Introduction, Strategy Formulation,
Process in Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation and its Stages, Reasons for
Strategy Failure and Methods to Overcome, Strategy Leadership and Strategy
Implementation, Strategic Business Units (SBUs)
 
Unit 5: Strategic Control and Evaluation:  Introduction, Strategy Evaluation, Strategic
Control, Difference Between Strategic Control and Operational Control, Concept of
Synergy and its Meaning, Key Stakeholder’s Expectations
 
Unit 6: Business Policies:  Introduction, Overview of Business Policies, Importance of
Business Policies, Definitions of Policy, Procedures, Process and Programmes, Types of
Policies, Business Policy Statements, Corporate Culture
 
Unit 7: Business Policy and Decision Making:  Introduction, Factors Considered Before
Framing Business Policies, Steps Involved in Framing Business Policies, Policy Cycle
and its Stages, Implementation of Policy Change, Role of Policies in Strategic
Management, Business Policy and Decision Making
 
Unit 8: Business Continuity Plan:  Introduction, Concepts of Business Continuity Plan
(BCP), Relevance and Importance of BCP, Steps in Business Continuity Plan, Business
Impact Areas, BCP and its Influence on Strategic Management, BCP and its Influence on
Policy Making, Contingency Planning
 
Unit 9: Business Investment Strategies:  Introduction, Business Plan and Business
Venture, Business Investment Strategies
 
Unit 10: Strategies for Multinational Corporations:  Introduction, Multinational
Corporations (MNCs), Benefits of MNCs, Limitations of MNCs, Business Strategies of
MNCs, Techniques Employed by MNCs to Manage Markets, MNC, TNC and Global
Companies
 
Unit 11: Strategic Alliances:  Introduction, Strategic Alliances, Types of Strategic
Alliances and Business Decisions, Problems Involved in Strategic Alliances
 
Unit 12: Role of Creativity and Innovation in Business:  Introduction, Creativity,
Innovation, Creating and Building Creative and Innovative Business Culture, Business
Practices Adopted to Promote Creativity and Innovation, Importance of Creativity and
Innovation in Business, Challenges Involved in Creativity and Innovation
 
Unit 13: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility :   Introduction, Ethics and
Values, Ethical Conduct and Unethical Conduct, Impact of Ethical Conduct, Corporate
Social Responsibilities (CSR), Business obligations, Social Audit and Corporate
Governance
 
Unit 14: Challenges in Strategic Management:  Introduction, Strategic Management as an
Organisational Force, Dealing with Strategic Management in Various Situations,
Strategic Management Implications and Challenges
 
Unit 15: Recent Trends in Strategic Management:  Introduction, Strategic Thinking,
Organisational Culture and its Significance, Organisational Development and Change,
Change Management, Models of Leadership Styles and its Roles, Strategic management
in a new globalised economy