International Business

1. COURSE JUSTIFICATION
During the first part of the semester, the course describes and explains the general
environments that frame and influence business activities across and within countries,
i.e. the cultural, political-legal and economic environments. Afterwards the course
approaches the basics of international trade and investment operations, as well as the
institutional system where they take place. The final part of the course introduces and
discusses some specifics of international strategy, entry modes, and diverse
international business management functions.
2. GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
• To describe and explain the general environments that frame and influence
business activities across and within countries.
• To approach the basics of international trade and investment operations, as well
as the institutional system where they take place.
• To introduce and discuss international strategy, entry modes, and diverse
international business management functions.
• To introduce students to the field of international business
• To enable students to generate insight, critique, and proposals for
improvement along the set of activities that comprise international business
• To stimulate students to interrogate themselves about their profession, their
relations to the world, to organizations, and to different cultures and individuals
• To develop skills for the analysis of the international environments, institutions
and variables that might influence the world of international business
• To foster ethical judgment oriented towards decision-making in a globalized
business world
3. ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS
Part 0 – Introduction and Course Methodology
1. Introduction and course methodology
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
Part I – Global Business Environment
2. Globalization and International Business.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
• Chapter 1: Globalization
Part II – National Business Environment
3. Cross-Cultural Business.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
• Chapter 2: Cross-Cultural Business.
4. Political Economy and Ethics.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
• Chapter 3: Political Economy, Legal Systems and Ethics.
5. Economic Development
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
•
Readings:
• Chapter 4: Economic Development of Nations
Part II – Acquiring Tools
6. International Trade.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Case Study 1 (5%)
Readings:
• Chapter 5: International Trade Theory.
7. Business-Government trade relations
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
Chapter 6: Political Economy of Trade
8. Foreign Direct Investment.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
• Chapter 7: Foreign Direct Investment.
9. Regional and Multilateral Integration.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
Readings:
• Chapter 8: Regional Economic Integration
10.International Financial Markets and Monetary System.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
Readings:
• Chapter 9: International Financial Markets
• Chapter 10: International Monetary System
Part III – Managing Around the Globe
11.International Strategy and Organization
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Workshop
• Midterm Exam (25%)
Readings:
• Chapter 11: International Strategy and Organization
12.Analyzing International Opportunities
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Case Study 2 (15%)
Readings:
• Chapter 12: Analyzing International Opportunities
13.Selecting and Managing Entry Modes.
Learning and teaching strategies:
• Lecture
• Class discussion
• Project presentation + paper due (25%; 60% written/40%oral production)
Readings:
• Chapter 13: Selecting and Managing Entry Modes
4. ASSESSMENTS
• Case Studies x2: 5%+15%
• Midterm exam: 25%
• Course Project (small groups): 25% (60%written, 40%oral production)
• Final Exam: 30%