BUSI 1493 Course Guide 2013-14 BHC

BUSINESS FACULTY

Course Study Guide2013–14

International Business ManagementBUSI 1493

1. Welcome

Welcome to the exciting world of International Business Management!

In this era of globalisation, there are very few companies that can say that they are not part of a global network. Every firm has to think of itself as a global company, if for no other reason than because it has to meet competition from global companies. This changes the entire strategy of the firm. In the future, we expect that all of you will be involved in managerial decision making that will take you beyond the realms of your geographical territory. This course on International Business Management will have the focus on helping you make better international decisions.

Aside from the opportunities offered by globalisation, there are also many risks in entering into the global market. This course will attempt to address, in a structured format, the ways and possibilities of addressing these risks. The basic philosophy behind this course is to develop a holistic understanding of international business, appreciating the risks, and developing competence in using tools to mitigate that risk.

In order to extract the most benefit from this course you will need to be actively engaged. You will gain marks, up to 10% of the total score for the course, by attending and participating in tutorials. In lectures, you will be encouraged to join in lively conversations. Like the old adage has it: “the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it!”

Ian Norman

BUSI 1493 International Business Management 2013-14 2

2. Introduction to the Course

This course has been designed to draw on many of the business techniques you have learned elsewhere and apply them in a variety of international contexts. You will learn how to handle the complexities of international business and develop appropriate strategies.

We will start by looking at the opportunities for business offered by the international economic environment. We will then evaluate the risks of entering the international arena, using theories that have been developed to help formulate corporate internationalisation strategies. We will explore the the structures that firms may opt for as they expand into unfamiliar territories.

At the end of this course you will have gained an international perspective on the challenges facing business managers. You will then be equipped to take your place alongside them.

2.1 Aims

To give students a clear insight into the major external environmental factors governing international business management. To provide an understanding of various management functions in an international context at both a conceptual and a practical level.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding of: The rationale for 'going international'. Measuring and managing environmental risk. The rise of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – horizontal and vertical FDI, managing host

regulation of FDI. Managing strategic dilemmas. Relationship between modes of entry, environment and strategy. Managing international strategic alliances. Organisational structure and culture. Control systems and incentives in an international context. National and international accounting standards and the consequences of differing standards. Investment decisions and financing decisions. Techniques for global money management, managing foreign exchange risk. Human resource considerations in internationally-oriented companies. Managing international operations

2.2.2 Intellectual Skills:


Breadth of Outlook: Students will be able to address management issues from an international perspective. Students will develop self-awareness, openness and sensitivity to cultural diversity in dealing with international business issues and people from different cultural backgrounds.

Wisdom: Ability to present well balanced arguments in the context of management and international business theories. Appreciation of the impact of ambiguity on managerial decisions.

Personal Effectiveness: Effective self-management in terms of time, planning, motivation, individual initiative and enter-prise. Effective performance within a team environment including leadership, team building, influencing and project management skills.

2.2.3 Subject practical skills: Abilities to conduct research into international business issues for a presentation and a review

report. Familiarity with a range of research sources and ability to apply international business and

management related theoretical frameworks.

2.2.4 Transferable skills: Critical Thinking: Be able to think globally and strategically in terms of identifying and solving

business problems. The ability to create, evaluate and assess a range of options together with the capacity to apply ideas and knowledge to a range of situations.

Information Management: Be able to search for, select and process relevant information guided by relevant theoretical frameworks.

Communication Skills: Communicate effectively within group work and team activities. Be able to present concise and coherent ideas, oral or in writing, in a professional manner.

2.3 Learning and teaching activities

The course will be delivered through a weekly lecture and a tutorial. Lectures will provide a comprehensive conceptual framework of the all key areas of international management. Tutorials will focus on the discussion of case studies, the exploration of issues, and student presentations and will involve tutor led discussions, group work and role play. Directed and self-managed learning and research will take place outside lectures and tutorials. Students will work in groups of 4-5 for preparation and presentations.

3. Contact Details


In the first instance you should speak to your tutor concerning any queries about the course materials. This is because your tutor is responsible for your individual learning and will grade your submissions. Nevertheless, you are always welcome to contact the course leader and programme leader if you feel it is appropriate.

Room Email address Phone number

Ian Norman [email protected]

Programme Coordinator: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

4. Course Content and Design

The course has been structured around five interconnected modules. Over the period of several weeks, each module is divided into topics which each investigate a different aspect of the course. The topics are delivered as weekly lectures, with a supporting tutorial that encourages active exploration of the material. The modules have their own learning objectives and are designed to build towards a complete picture of international business management.

The first module takes a broad perspective of the international business environment. We will see how global trade offers new advantages for businesses beyond their national boundaries, along with increased risks in the form of unfamiliar political and economic systems. We will discover how businesses can assess these risks and devise strategies in response.

The second module will then investigate the ways in which businesses reshape themselves in order to exploit the opportunities presented by the international environment. The kinds of issues that will be considered are international growth, market entry strategies and cooperative alliances.

Despite the promise of free markets Module 3 will show that there are constraints on the way corporations can operate in the international environment. These include official bodies and the powers they have to regulate the markets. There are also pressures to recognise corporate social responsibilities.

The fourth module will look at the tools of international business. In order to have a coherent approach to international business operations, managers must have a working knowledge of the unique financial and marketing challenges that they face.

The final and fifth module will show that even after the corporation has successfully entered the international environment, there will still be internal organisational issues to satisfy. These include the substantial challenges of integrating substantial cultural differences into the organisations structure.

To facilitate learning, a number of different approaches will be made:

In-class discussions – active participation is encouraged, both through planned tasks and spontaneous conversations

Audio-visual resources – most lectures and tutorials will use multi-media material to reinforce the learning

Entrepreneurial spirit – rather than formulating prescriptive, right-or-wrong strategies, the course will encourage entrepreneurial the thinking that recognises that unique, high risks opportunities are acceptable when the rewards are commensurately high

Assignments are intended to replicate the challenges and management actions of the business world

o Essays test the ability to meticulously research management issues


o Exams asses the ability to demonstrate time-sensitive thinking

o Attendance grading recognises the importance of constructive discussion.

Session Required ReadingIn addition to the following list each tutorial has its own reading material, the details of which can be found in the relevant section of Moodle.

Weeks required for completion:

Reference

Core text. In particular Chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 11 to 13 and 15 to 19

Daniels, Radebaugh & Sullivan (DRS) International Business. London: Pearson

Download from WebCT Porter (2008) The five competitive forces that shape strategyRecommended alternative to DRS.

Morrison J (2006) The international business environment: global and local marketplaces in a changing world. Basingstoke: Palgrave

Available in the library. Overview of globalisation and alliances in the automobile industry.

Wynn-Williams M (2009) Surfing the Global Tide. London: Palgrave

Recommended alternative to DRS.

Hill C and Hernandez-Requejo W (2011) Global Business Today. NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin

5. Assessment Details

Individual Essay - 30% of total, limit of 3,000 words (+/- 10%). An essay in response to a topic chosen from a given list (see below).

Exam - 60% of total, 3 hours. A closed book exam consisting of one compulsory question (developing nation economic risk analysis) and a choice of three out of five essay type questions.

Attendance - 10%. Attendance and participation is required at every tutorial.

Minimum course pass mark - 40%.


5.1 Summary of assessment

Assessment Title Weight towards final grade

Length Due Date

Tutorials 10% NA Every weekEssay 30% 3,000 Tbc Examination 60% 3 Hours Jan 2014

5.2 Detailed description of assessment

1. Performance in tutorials: tutorials develop skills that are vital in the business world. Your performance will be assessed by your tutor both in terms of physical attendance and active participation. A maximum of 10% contributes to the overall course grade:

0.5 marks per attendance, maximum 7 marks 1 mark for engaging in the tasks 1 mark for contributing ideas to the discussions 1 mark for making contributions that lead the discussions

2. Essay: all students are to write an essay as part of the course assessment and they are intended to replicate the preparation of detailed reports in the business world. Students are required to submit their essay electronically. The essay topics and evaluation criteria are listed below.

3. Examination: the examination, will be a comprehensive 3 hour closed-book examination aimed at evaluating the students understanding of the entire course. The exam is intended to replicate the business situations where reports need to be prepared at very short notice. Copies of previous examination papers can be found on the Student Portal. It can be useful to review previous papers, but they do not act as a guide to the content of the exam you will sit.

The exam is made up of six questions. The first is compulsory and concerns the economic risk analysis of a developing country. From the remaining five questions three should be chosen and answered. All four answers carry the same weight of 25%.

5.2.1 Essay Topics

Choose ONE of the following four topics for your essay. The essay should be no longer than 3,000 words (+/- 10%) and submitted, with a header sheet. Each response should demonstrate understanding of the relevant theory, with application to examples.


1. Analyse the validity of the objections to free trade and critically discuss the role of international organisations in regulating trade between countries. Does how the control of trade has impacted positively or negatively on a company of your choice.

2. To what extent should managers feel threatened by organisations that try to protect the rights of workers? Is it possible for the organisations to work with managers to the benefit of both businesses and employees? You should critically analyse the intentions of both types of stakeholder in a case study you have chosen.

3. Critically analyse the role of the chief financial officer (CFO) in contributing to the strategy of a company. If you were in a CFO position at a company of your choice, how would you expand your responsibilities to be more strategic? You should show how the company could benefit from the expansion of the CFO’s role.

4. Critically analyse an example of a company that exhibits a U-form structure. Advise on the advantages and disadvantages of moving it to a matrix structure.

The basic format of the essay should be a theory, concept or approach which is critically analysed. Then a case study or practical example should be presented that not only illustrates how the theory can be applied, but also reveal further critical insights into the theory itself. The conclusion should demonstrate how the case study can lead to an improvement in the theory.

Students should make all efforts to avoid plagiarism by reading and reflecting on the information sources before committing their own thoughts to paper; there is never a reason to copy, although quotations may be occasionally appropriate. It is recommended that students should take note of the Turnitin similarity score when they submit. Correct Harvard style referencing should always be used.

Marking Criteria

Marks allocated to criteria:

20% FocusDoes the essay address the central problem? Does the essay stay within the topic parameters?

30% SynthesisDoes the essay bring together the literature in a significant manner that addresses the question?Is the relevant theory critically addressed?

30% ComprehensionDoes the essay indicate a comprehensive understanding of the topic area and literature discussed?

10% Essay structureIs the essay well organised and logically constructed?

10% StyleIs the essay clearly written, spell checked and grammatically sound and referenced appropriately?



Documents

BUSI 1493 Course Guide 2013-14 BHC