BBA 4426, International Management Course Syllabus

Course Description A study of the challenges that confront the managers of organizations and individuals in global settings. Special focus on benefits from diversity that exists across international cultures, markets, economics, governments, and organizations. A general overview of the process and effect of internationalization in contemporary business.

Prerequisites None

Course Textbook Luthans, F., & Doh, J. P. (2012). International management: Culture, strategy, and behavior (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Course Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Discuss the drivers and consequences of globalization, its impact on specific regions, and the emerging concerns about its influences on countries around the world. 2. Compare and contrast different political, legal, and economic systems and technological forces and their impact on international management. 3. Describe the need for ethics and social responsibility in international management, and the growing pressures on organizations to act in an ethically and socially responsible manner in their global business operations. 4. Apply the concept of “national culture” using the typologies of Hofstede and Trompenaars. 5. Interpret how the culture of one group of people can be distinguished from that of another and the implications of these differences for international management. 6. Explain the challenges of managing across cultures. 7. Analyze the relationship between national culture and organizational culture, integrate those concepts within the context of international management decision-making, and appreciate the challenges of diversity in the modern work environment. 8. Analyze the most important elements of effective cross-cultural negotiation and communication. 9. Examine the basic elements of international strategic management, including the pressures and cost/benefits of strategies that emphasize global integration versus local adaptation. 10. Compare and contrast the modes of entry and the basic choices for tailoring organizations involved in international business and describe the conditions under which specific entry modes and organizational structure are most effective. 11. Assess political risk and how international organizations apply those methods as they attempt to manage the level of political risk in developed and developing countries, appreciate the broader efforts organizations make to manage their relations with host governments, and discuss the various options for managing alliances and joint ventures, especially those in which host governments are involved.

Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.

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Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Objectives: Each unit contains Unit Learning Objectives that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Written Lectures: Each unit contains a Written Lecture, which discusses lesson material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. Supplemental Readings are provided in Units II and IV to aid students in their course of study. 4. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided in Units I-III and V-VIII to aid students in their course of study. 5. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their course of study. Students should pay particular attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts within the unit material and reading. 6. Unit Assessments: This course contains eight Unit Assessments, one to be completed at the end of each unit. Assessments are composed of written response and matching questions. 7. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. 8. Final Exam (Proctored): Students are to complete a Final Exam in Unit VIII. All Final Exams are proctored—see below for additional information. You are permitted four (4) hours to complete this exam, in the presence of your approved proctor. This is an open book exam. Only course textbooks and a calculator, if necessary, are allowed when taking proctored exams. 9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.

Unit Assignments Unit I Assignment Partial Analysis for Your Employment Interest The purpose of this assignment is for you to actively begin analyzing organizations and/or corporations to make employment decisions (i.e., do you really want to work for this organization or corporation based on the information you discover?) and to practice evaluating organizations or corporations. This allows you to enhance your research, analysis, and decision-making skills as an international manager. Select a multinational organization or corporation that interests you. If you do not have a favorite yet, consider an industry (i.e., communications, banking, broadcasting, entertainment, administration, etc.) that keeps your interest. Once you select an industry, use your favorite Internet search engine to help finalize your selection of a corporation. Use the Internet and/or the CSU Online Library to research an international, multinational, or global organization or corporation. Choose an organization or corporation that is or appears to match your dream job. What makes it multinational? What is the mission of the organization or corporation? What does the mission mean to you? Why do you want to work for them? To obtain and maintain a solid reputation at Multinational ABC, how should you proactively approach political, legal, and technological factors? Prepare a two-page report that describes the details of the organization or corporation and why it is your dream job. Within the report, include the following details: 1. Overview of the organization or corporation a. Location b. Industry c. The mission of the organization or corporation d. What makes it an international, multinational, or global? 2. Partial analysis of the organization or corporation a. What are the political factors? b. What are the legal and regulatory factors? c. What are the technological factors? d. What else did you discover?

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3. The job or area of interest a. Overview of the job or your area of interest b. Describe why this job interests you 4. Conclusion a. What is important to you versus what is important to the organization or corporation? b. How does your analysis of the organization or corporation influence your decision to work for this organization or corporation? c. What else influence your decision to work for this organization or corporation? Format the report in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. Unit II Article Critique For this assignment, choose a peer-reviewed article to critique. Use the databases within the CSU Online Library or use another source that contains peer-reviewed articles. The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice reviewing articles that contribute to the industry. The authors of these articles are researchers and professionals that have shared or experimented with ideas that demonstrate potential to improve the industry. As a professional in the industry, it is in your best interest to review the literature and trends. This provides you with the opportunity to read about what was successful and how they accomplished it. Plus, it allows you to analyze what was unsuccessful, how you can improve it, or at least not repeat the mistakes of others. Use these skills to contribute to research papers and other scholarly writing. If you have not already, hopefully you will contribute to the industry by publishing an article and sharing with your community of peers. As you read the article, consider the following questions: How could the topic of this article apply to your personal or professional life? How could it apply to an organization you have observed? The article you choose must meet the following requirements:   



Peer reviewed An international, multinational, or global organization Consider the following industries: o Aerospace o Communications o Technology o Banking o Energy o Consumer products o Or an industry of your choice At least ten pages

The writing you submit must meet the following requirements:    



At least three pages Identify the main topic/question Who is the author’s intended audience? Critique one or more of the following: o Ethics o Social Responsibility o Corruption Recommendations for improvement

Your critique should not only include performance deficiencies from within the organization, but recommendations about how they could improve their actions and performance. The purpose of this assignment is for you to dive in and practice assessing a scenario as an international manager. For this assignment you are not a student; you are an International Manager. Approach and complete the task as a professional, which includes meeting the deadline. Format the Article Critique in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism.

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Unit IV Executive Recommendation You are an international manager. An executive for your organization asked you to create a report describing the advantages and challenges associated with Doing Business in China, Russia, India, France, Brazil, or Arab countries. The executive needs your help to make a big decision—capitalizing on an opportunity in one of those countries. You know the executive very well and that he/she only wants your top recommendation. Create a two-page report that describes the advantages and challenges (the impact) of adding a culture to your multinational organization by using the following criteria: a. b. c. d. e.

Select an industry (i.e., Technology, Aerospace, Consumer Products, Energy, Communications, Banking, etc.) Select your top cultural recommendation. (i.e., country) Describe why the cultural recommendation is a good match for your organization. Describe why the cultural recommendation is a good match for the industry. Describe the challenges of the recommended culture.

Consider using the data available in Table 5-1 on page 143 of Luthans and Doh (2012). Also, refer to the information on pages 152-163 of Luthans and Doh (2012) to support your recommendation. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze all of the cultural factors while making a big decision as an international manager. Format the report in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. Unit IV Reflection Paper This assignment will help to prepare for Final Exam. The Final Exam for this course asks you to examine a case study and to respond with summarizing analyses, recommendations, and a decision to support or decline an international opportunity. Select one of the cases presented between pages 232-266 of Luthans and Doh (2012). The case options include each of the following:  Coca-Cola in India  Danone’s Wrangle with Wahaha  Euro Disneyland  Beyond Tokyo: Disney’s Expansion in Asia  Walmart’s Global Strategies By selecting a case at about midway through the course, you have the opportunity to review and study a scenario relevant for international managers. Keep your reflection paper and review it and the case each week to prepare for the final exam. The goal is for you to be very familiar with the case. Studying ahead of time allows you to maximize the amount of time you have to prepare a written response to the case. Select a case, review the case, and then prepare a Reflection Paper. Which details appear to be significant about the case? Here are more details about a Reflection Paper. After you finish reading the case you select, reflect on the concepts and write about them. What do you understand completely? What did not quite make sense? The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the case you finished reading and to expand upon those thoughts. If you are unclear about a concept, either read it again or ask your professor. Can you apply the concepts toward your career or your experiences? How? This is not a summary. A Reflection Paper is an opportunity for you to express your thoughts about the material by writing about them. The writing you submit must meet the following requirements: 

At least one page

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 

Your thoughts about the main topics Additional thoughts about the case that will contribute to your final exam

Format your Reflection Paper in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. You will NOT be able to use the Reflection Paper during the Final Exam. This Reflection Paper assignment is simply a method to help you prepare for the Final Exam. Unit V Communication Integration Communication is challenging in any setting. With the addition of cultural factors, communication becomes much more challenging. One way for communication to fluently flow through an organization is to establish clear communication channels. Organizational charts are often used to depict reporting structures and communication channels. As a result of an international acquisition or merger, it is necessary to restructure the organizational chart and communication channels. For this assignment, you have been provided with two organizational charts. The organizations that use these charts have recently merged. It is your responsibility to restructure the organizational chart to establish clear channels of communication for each organization. Scenario: Engineering Corporation is based in the United States and Aerospace Corporation is based in China. Aerospace Corporation is the parent company. The following hyperlinked file should remain a DOC or DOCX, which allows students to revise the organizational charts. Click here to view the link of each organizational chart. The purpose of this assignment is for you to think about and create clear channels of communication to ensure efficiency and productivity among international organizations. Part One—The Organizational Chart. Create a new organizational chart that depicts the newly established communication channel. Create a new organizational chart from scratch, or copy and paste one of the provided organizational charts, and update it to include the new structure. Part Two—The Description of the Communication. In a two-page summary, describe the new communication flow and why it will function effectively. Be sure to mention the communication strategies and theories that are offered by Luthans and Doh (2012). Include the following details within your description: I. II. III. IV. V.

Introduce the need for new communication flow. Describe the cultural impacts of each organization. Describe the communication flow. Describe the communication barriers that were considered. It must be at least two pages.

Format the assignment in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. Insert each organizational chart as appendices (i.e., Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III). Unit VI Article Review For this assignment, choose a peer-reviewed article to review. Use the databases within the CSU Online Library or use another source that contains peer-reviewed articles. The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice reviewing articles that contribute to the industry. The authors of these articles are researchers and professionals that have shared or experimented with ideas that demonstrate potential to improve the industry. As a professional in the industry, it is in your best interest to review the literature and trends. This provides you with the opportunity to read about what was successful and how they accomplished it. Plus, it allows you to analyze what was unsuccessful, how you can improve it, or at least avoid repeating the mistakes of others. Use these skills to contribute to research papers and other scholarly writing. If you have not already, hopefully you will contribute to the industry by publishing an article and sharing with your community of peers. As you read the article, consider the following questions: How could the topic of this article apply to your personal or professional life? How could it apply to an organization you have observed?

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For this article review, examine the article for marketing, production, and finance factors. It is acceptable to choose an article that does not discuss marketing, production, or finance factors. However, these factors must be included in your review of the article. Describe how the three factors should be incorporated into the situation within the article. The article you choose must meet the following requirements:  

Related to international management (preferably strategy and/or implementation), and At least ten pages.

The writing you submit must meet the following requirements:   

at least two pages; identify the main topic/question; and critique or recommend how marketing, production, and finance factors contribute to strategy implementation.

Format the Article Review in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. Unit VI Organizational Chart For this assignment, revise the Unit V Communication Integration Assignment to support the holistic concept of organizational structure. The Communication Integration Assignment focuses on communication—getting two or more organizations to effectively communicate. This time, you are being asked to create an updated version of an Organizational Chart, which includes the remaining aspects of an organizational structure. The organizational chart that you created for the Communication Integration Assignment does not necessarily need to be updated if you feel it supports an effective structure. However, you are being asked to support the structure’s arrangement with a supporting narrative. Include the following criteria for this assignment:  

A revised Organizational Chart (if necessary) to support all aspects of organizational structure. A two-page description describing why the organizational structure is effective.

Format the Organizational Chart in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism. Unit VII Newsletter You are the leader of an organization and you are about to request that the reports end up on your desk in a more presentable fashion. Before making this request, you decide to provide an example of a more presentable report. It is not always fun to read drab reports with large amounts of less than interesting data. The data is usually valuable, but it can be hidden behind a less than inviting presentation. For this assignment, you are asked to create a newsletter that reports the political risks, government relations factors, and recommendations to maintain alliances to support the best interests of an organization, or you as a professional international manager. This report should be designed to help you and your colleagues make important decisions about the included data. It does not have to be a newsletter. Consider other creative formats to help sell your ideas and to capture the interest of the reader. Keep in mind that you may be the reader. Select an organization or create a fictitious one. If you create a fictitious organization, remember to be specific with the product or service it offers. Then, select a location (i.e., country) for the potential joint venture. The location will be the host country. The newsletter or creative report must include the following: 

The first section (i.e., executive summary) must include at least the following: o The product or service offered by the organization. o The potential opportunity. o The location of the opportunity.

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       

A political risk section. A government relations section. An alliance section. A creative format. At least one picture for each section. At least one headline for each section. Be easily legible (i.e., high contrast colors for text). The equivalent of two pages (8.5 inches x 11 inches).

Consider using templates that are available online. For instance, Microsoft Word offers templates for newsletters, brochures, and other types of documents. Using a template saves time on the layout of the document. This assignment does not have to be in APA style. The writing you submit must be in your own words and include in-text citations where applicable. Unit VIII Reflection Paper For this assignment, you are asked to prepare a Reflection Paper. After you finish the reading assignment, reflect on the concepts and write about it. What do you understand completely? What did not quite make sense? The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the material you finished reading and to expand upon those thoughts. If you are unclear about a concept, either read it again, or ask your professor. Can you apply the concepts toward your career? How? This is not a summary. A Reflection Paper is an opportunity for you to express your thoughts about the material by writing about them. The writing you submit must meet the following requirements:   

be at least two pages; include your thoughts about the main topics; and include financial performance, quality performance, and personnel performance.

Format the Reflection Paper in your own words using APA style, and include citations and references as needed to avoid instances of plagiarism.

APA Guidelines CSU requires that students use the APA style for papers and projects. Therefore, the APA rules for formatting, quoting, paraphrasing, citing, and listing of sources are to be followed. A document titled “APA Guidelines Summary” is available for you to download from the APA Guide Link, found in the Learning Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal. It may also be accessed from the Student Resources link on the Course Menu. This document provides links to several Internet sites that provide comprehensive information on APA formatting, including examples and sample papers.

CSU Grading Rubric for Papers/Projects The course papers will be graded based on the CSU Grading Rubric for all types of papers. In addition, all papers will be submitted for electronic evaluation to rule out plagiarism. Course projects will contain project specific grading criteria defined in the project directions. To view the rubric, click the Academic Policies link on the Course Menu, or by accessing the CSU Grading Rubric link, found in the Learning Resources area of the myCSU Student Portal.

Final Examination Guidelines Final Examinations are to be administered to students by an approved proctor on a date that is mutually convenient. The student is responsible for selecting a qualified proctor that must be approved by the university.

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A list of acceptable proctors is provided in the Examination Proctor Policy. To review the complete Examination Proctor Policy including a list of acceptable proctors, proctor responsibilities, proctor approval procedures and the Proctor Agreement Form, go to the myCSU Student Portal from the link below. http://mycsu.columbiasouthern.edu You are permitted four (4) hours to complete this exam, in the presence of your approved proctor. This is an open book exam. Only course textbooks and a calculator, if necessary, are allowed when taking proctored exams.

Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Once you have completed Unit VIII, you MUST unsubscribe from the forum; otherwise, you will continue to receive e-mail updates from the forum. You will not be able to unsubscribe after your course end date. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers.

Grading Unit Assessments (8 @ 4%) Unit Assignments (9 @ 4%) Final Exam Total

= 32% = 36% = 32% = 100%

Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.

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BBA 4426, International Management

Course Schedule

By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course. Unit I Review: Read: Submit:

Political, Legal, and Technological Factors  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 1: Globalization and International Linkages  Chapter 2: The Political, Legal, and Technological Environment  Assessment  Assignment

Notes/Goals:

Unit II Review: Read:

Submit:

Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Corruption  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 3: Ethics and Social Responsibility  CSU Online Library: A Multidimensional Conceptualization of Corruption Control  Supplemental Reading: See Study Guide  Assessment  Article Critique  Proctor Approval Form

Notes/Goals:

Unit III Review: Read:

Defining and Evaluating Culture  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 4: The Meanings and Dimensions of Culture

Submit:  Assessment Notes/Goals:

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BBA 4426, International Management Unit IV

Management, Organizations, and Culture

Review:

      

Read:

Submit:

Course Schedule

Unit Study Guide Chapter 5: Managing Across Cultures Chapter 6: Organizational Cultures and Diversity Supplemental Reading: See Study Guide Assessment Executive Recommendation Reflection Paper

Notes/Goals:

Unit V Review: Read: Submit:

Communication Among Cultures  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 7: Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation  Assessment  Communication Integration

Notes/Goals:

Unit VI Review: Read: Submit:

Strategic International Management  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 8: Strategy Formulation and Implementation  Chapter 9: Entry Strategies and Organizational Structures  Assessment  Article Review  Organizational Chart

Notes/Goals:

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BBA 4426, International Management Unit VII Review: Read: Submit:

Course Schedule

Risk, Government, and Allies  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guide  Chapter 10: Managing Political Risk, Government Relations, and Alliances  Assessment  Create a Newsletter  Request to take Final Exam

Notes/Goals:

Unit VIII Review: Read: Submit:

Decisions, Control, and Performance  Unit Study Guide  Learning Activities: See Study Guides  Chapter 11: Management Decision and Control  Assessment  Reflection Paper  Final Exam

Notes/Goals:

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