INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The first subject of the final semester begins today.

FACULTY OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

 

INB 780 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

 

Course Outline Perak Module 2011

 

Course Prescription

International Business is the study all business transactions, private and governmental, that involve two or more countries. It encompasses aspects such as globalisation and the impacts of the global environment on organisations, trade and trade policy, foreign direct investment, strategies of international firms, strategic alliances and exporting, and international management, including cross-cultural and international human resource management.

 

This course will provide students with the conceptual tools necessary to understand and work in a global environment. This will be done in three closely related ways:

• Analyzing how the international environment for business differs around the world.
  
• Examining the policy frameworks for control, and.
  
• Developing strategic options to compete in the complex international economy.
  

Class time will be largely spent in lecture, discussion, case studies and experiential exercises. Students will learn from the theoretical literature, instructor, case studies, videos, research presentations, and from each other. The course materials explain and describe the different aspects, challenges, and stages of International Business simply and clearly.

 

Goals of the Course

This course will examine thechallenges, complexity and changing nature of international business.

 

Learning Outcomes

1. To develop skills in international business analysis, development and implementation.
   
2. To explore competing rationales relating to the nature of international and business.
   
3. To critically review the received wisdom on international business practice.
   
4. To review strategic decision-making practises in international business.
   
5. To further develop the presentation skills required.
   

 

Competencies                            

                                                

1     The student will be introduced to:

a.    Diagnostic tools for enhancing self-awareness of thinking styles.            

b.    The concepts of Globalization and International Business    

        

2.    The student will understand:

a. Why and how international business strategies are formulated and implemented.     

b.    The importance of international business.

            

3.    The student will be able to:

a.    Undertake an industry analysis.                            

b.    Generate, select and refine international business options                 

c.    Develop strategic plans.                                    

d.    Present written and oral business reports.                        

Content Schedule

Teaching Session	Subject	Readings/activities	Learning Outcomes
Module 1: 17 September
1.	Introduction	Introductions/expectations
2.	Area of Study: Corporations and challenges	Background to: Global Business International Trade Multi-National Corporation Stresses and strains	1,2,3,4
Module 1: 18 September
3.	Global Eco-Economy	Global Environment New Economy	2,3,4
4.	International Perspectives: Economy	World Economic outlook: Commerce Challenges	1.2.3.4.5
5.	International Perspectives: Transactions	Trade Transitions	1,2,3,4,5
	homework	critically review: Kefalas Chapter 1to 8 Geiersbach Stopford (1998) Multinational Corporations in the Global Economy Buiter and Lankes (2001) Gersper and Meehan(2006) McCubbrey,D.J.(2010) Group report/presentations
Module 2: 1 October
6.	International Perspectives: Finance	International monetary system Capital flows	1,2,3,4,5
7.	Participation Strategy	Going Global: Participation Value	1,2,3,4,5
Module 2: 2 October
8.	Organizational Strategy	Assignment 1: individual essay (hand in) Structures and Design Options	1,2,3,4,5
9.	Financial Management Strategy	Managing Financial Risks	1,2,3,4,5
10.	Production/ Sourcing Strategy	International production and sourcing considerations	1,2,3,4,5
	homework	critically review: Kefalas Chapters 9 to 14 (IIF) (2010) 'Interim Report Hong, E. and Holweg,M. Wind, Douglas. and Perlmutter. (1973) Introduction to International HRM House, Javidan, Hanges, and Dorfman,( 2002) Murali , Chari and Parthiban (2007) Green,SHassan,FImmelt, J Marks, M and Meiland (2003) Bartlett,C.A and Ghoshal,S (1992) Group report/presentations
Module 3: 8 October
11.	Marketing Strategy	Marketing for the Globe	1,2,3,4,5
12.	Human Resource Management Strategy and Control Systems	Managing Cross Cultures Fundaments for International control systems	1,2,3,4,5
Module 3: 9 October
13.	Consortia and Strategic Alliances	International Partnerships	1,2,3,4,5
14.	Group Presentations	a. Assignment 2 :Group report to be handed in b. Assignment 3: Group presentations	1,2,3,4,5
15.	Test		1,2,3,4

 

 

Learning and Teaching

As this is a multidisciplinary course it is intended that teaching will integrate and draw on the core competencies of student's previous study at the university.

The course will commence by introducing students to the framework in which strategy for Global business is developed. Students will then examine how strategies for internationalization move down into all the functions of business. This will be achieved classroom discussion, individual assignments, the co-managing of a simulation company and in class tests.

 

 

Teaching Staff:

 

Professor Dr Garry Clayton - Course Coordinator

Office:        GBS UiTM

E-mail:        clayton@salam.uitm.edu.my    

 

 

Course readings

Recommended texts:

1. Kefalas, A. G. "Global Business Strategy: A Systems Approach" available on the web in pdf form at:
   

http://globaltext.terry.uga.edu/userfiles/pdf/Global%20Business%20Strategy.pdf

Articles:

1. Geiersbach, N."The Impact of International Trade on the Global Economy"available at:
   

 

http://www.saycocorporativo.com/saycoUK/BIJ/journal/Vol3No2/Article_8.pdf

 

1. Stopford, J. "Multi National Corporations" Foreign Policy Winter 1998 i113 available at:
   

   
    

http://bss.sfsu.edu/jmoss/resources/635_pdf/No_22_Stopford.pdf

 

1. "Multinational Corporations in the Global Economy" available at:
   

 

http://www.unc.edu/~toatley/mncs.pdf

 

1. Buiter,W. and Lankes, H.P. (2001). 'International Financial Institutions: Adapting to a World of Private Capital Flows' available at:
   

 

http://www.nber.org/~wbuiter/builan.pdf

 

1. Gersper,M.B and Meehan,J.J(2006) 'Creating a Competitive Advantage in Global Trade' available at:
   

 

http://www.gdmllc.com/pdf/Competitive_Advantage_in_Global_Trade.pdf

 

1. McCubbrey, D.J. (2010) 'International business for entrepreneurs: Organizational structure and human resource management' available at:
   

 

http://cnx.org/content/m35610/latest/

 

1. Institute of International Finance (IIF) (2010) 'Interim Report on the Cumulative Impact on the Global Economy of Proposed Changes in the Banking Regulatory Framework' available at:
   

 

http://www.ebf-fbe.eu/uploads/10-Interim%20NCI_June2010_Web.pdf

 

1. Hong, E. and Holweg,M. 'Evaluating the Effectiveness and Efficiency of
   

Global Sourcing Strategies available at:'

 

http://www-innovation.jbs.cam.ac.uk/publications/downloads/hong_evaluating.pdf

 

1. Wind,Y., Douglas,S.P. and Perlmutter,H.V. (1973) 'Guidelines for developing International Marketing Strategies' available at
   

 

http://marketing.wharton.upenn.edu/documents/research/7307_Guidelines_for_Developing_International_Marketing.pdf

 

1. 'Introduction to International Human Resource Management' available at:
   

 

http://www.utas.edu.au/mgmt/wps/wps_files/99_01pap.pdf

 

1. House, R., Javidan, M., Hanges, P., and Dorfman, P. 2002 'Understanding cultures and implicit leadership theories across the globe: an introduction to project GLOBE'.Available at:
   

http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/ms/globe/Links/jwb_globe_intro.pdf

 

1. Murali D.R., Chari , S.D., and Parthiban, D (2007) 'International diversification and firm performance:
   

Role of information technology investments' Available at:

 

http://auapps.american.edu/~parthiba/jwb.pdf

 

1. Green,S Hassan,F Immelt, J Marks, M and Meiland, D (2003) " In Search of Global Leaders"
   

 

Available at:

 

http://www.connectsoft.co.kr/data/20030907/10256852.pdf

 

1. Bartlett,C.A and Ghoshal,S (1992) " What is a Global Manager"
   

 

Available at:

 

http://www.business.illinois.edu/aguilera/Teaching/Bartlett%20Ghoshal%20What%20is%20a%20global%20manager%202003.pdf

 

Assessment

 

Students will be required to complete an individual assignment worth 30 % of the final grade; a group report worth 30% of the final grade; participate in developing a ten minute group presentation worth 20% based on the group report and take a test worth 20% of the final grade.

 

Activity	Type	Learning Outcome	% course mark
Assignments:
1.	Individual ( 1500 word essay)	1,2,3,5	30%
2.	Group report	1,2,3,4	30%
3.	Group presentation	1,2,3,4,5	20%
Test	Individual 3 hours	1,2,3,4,5	20%

 

Assignments:

 

1. In what ways is international business being influenced and challenged by the increasing demands for sustainable development?
   
2. Co-write a business report that critically evaluates the internationalization options for a designated enterprise.
   
3. Co-present on the internationalization option(s) best suited for the enterprise reported on for assignment 2.
   

Test:

 

The test will be an essay style open book expected to take 2 hours.

It will require students to demonstrate in integrated answers a mastery of the learning outcomes set.

 

Program and Course Advice

Students are required to critically examine the integrated practise of international business within the Malaysian business environment. It is expected that they will both know the practices of leading organizations and the significant contemporary business leaders of Malaysia.