COURSE DESCRIPTION:
International Business Policy is a six-credit graduate course which focuses on all aspects of conducting business in a global environment. This course will acquaint students with the theories, concepts, practices, and techniques in conducting business abroad. A strong emphasis is placed on the impact of cultural, ethical, political, and other environmental factors on the management of multinational operations.
An overseas trip is a required component of this course and will expose students to foreign cultures, a variety of industries and representatives of U.S. and non-US businesses with different functional responsibilities (accountants, personnel managers, marketers, etc.). As we will see, the "foreign" aspect is evident among those we meet in social settings as well as the people we meet at the firms and organizations on our trip. We will spend approximately two weeks traveling and meeting with business executives, government officials, labor leaders, and academicians in three European countries.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: top
of page 5
The objectives of this graduate course include developing a familiarity with the fundamental concepts and theoretical bases of global business. The primary objective is
to cultivate the capabilities necessary to apply these theories and concepts to actual situations and events. It is also expected that you understand the role of various multinational institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank Group (IBRD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). An old Chinese proverb helps explain what the goal is: 'What I hear, I forget, what I see, I remember, what I do, I understand'
Our discussions and readings will provide an understanding of the many factors affecting production, accounting, management, marketing, and other functional responsibilities. It is expected that you will be able to adapt functional strategies to account for these constraints and opportunities.
The focus of our class meetings, the text, and the exam is on meeting and measuring this objective.
Another major goal is that, upon completion of the course, you should understand the differences between domestic and global business, and why those differences exist. Many are under the impression that there are innumerable differences between foreign and domestic business practices. Expanding internationally does require adaptation, but it is important to understand that the same basic business practices apply world-wide. The tasks are broader, but not necessarily different.
The focus of the your
term paper is a comparative analysis of some aspect of global business (you choose the particular subject and countries to be compared). The project, with associated reports and presentation, is designed with this goal in mind.
Visiting corporations in foreign countries provides an opportunity for discussions with industry leaders. It is my desire that we learn about some of the opportunities and problems facing global managers today, and I also hope this reinforces our discussions about the similarities and differences in performing certain business functions.
Finally, to be a successful global manager, it is necessary to be adaptable and culturally sensitive. A goal is to expand cultural experience.
The trip allows for interchange of ideas among people of other cultures, and it hopefully leads to heightened cultural sensitivity.
Perhaps most important, the trip and corporate visits provides a practical and current perspective of some of the concepts discussed in the classroom and our readings.
COURSE PREREQUISITES: top
of page 5
All foundation courses (MF series) are prerequisites for this course. It is your responsibility to make certain that you have successfully completed these courses. If at any time during the semester it is learned that you have not successfully completed the prerequisites, you will be dropped from the course, you will not receive a tuition refund (if beyond the drop date), and you will not receive any course credit.
Author/contact information:
Prof.Steve Frumkin, Ph.D.
Philadelphia University
School of Business Administration
School House Lane & Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497
Ph: 215-951-2764
Fx: 215.951.2652
E-mail: FrumkinS@PhilaU.edu
top of page 5
Date of creation: July 02, 1997.
Date of last update: December 19, 2005.
Copyright © 1997,
1999.
|