MB40 - International Business

Course Syllabus

PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY

PHILADELPHIA, PA

MB40 – International Business

Instructors – Dr. D. K. Malhotra and Harvey B. Lermack

MalhotraD@philau.edu http://faculty.philau.edu/malhotrad

HLermack@aol.com http://faculty.philau.edu/lermackh

__________________________________________________________________________________

Course Description

International Business Policy is a six-credit graduate course that 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-U.S. 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

· Develop a familiarity with the fundamental concepts and theoretical bases of global business.

· 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 worldwide. The tasks are broader, but not necessarily different.

· Understand the many factors affecting production, accounting, management, marketing, and other functional responsibilities in international businesses, and be able to adapt functional strategies to account for these constraints and opportunities.

· 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).

· Apply the theories and concepts of international business to actual situations and companies, through discussions of cases and current business events, and through company visits overseas.

Trip Objectives

· Discuss with industry leaders some of the opportunities and problems facing global managers today.

· Reinforce our discussions and readings about the similarities and differences in performing certain business functions.

· Learn to adapt to, and become more culturally sensitive about, other cultures and people doing business within those cultures.

· Broaden your knowledge about other cultures through the interchange of ideas with people from various countries, such as economic, political, cultural, geographic and historical. This will hopefully lead to a heightened cultural sensitivity.

· Learn and have fun safely.

Spring 2000 Session

Professors Malhotra and Lermack will teach the day MB40 course, with contributions from Professor Russow. In general, Professor Lermack will present Monday sessions, Professor Malhotra Wednesday sessions. There will be special sessions, with changes to time and location. Be sure to review your course schedule carefully, and check your electronic mail frequently for changes to schedule made between sessions.

Both professors, as outlined below, will do grading. If you have any questions about grading criteria, contact us immediately.

Prerequisites

All foundation courses must be completed prior to enrollment in MB40.

It is the student's responsibility to assure that all prerequisite work has been successfully completed. If at any time during the semester it is learned that a student has not successfully completed the prerequisites, they will be dropped from the course receiving neither course credit nor tuition refund.

Required Materials

· International Business: Environments & Operations, by John D. Daniels and Lee H. Radebaugh, 8^th Edition, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1998. ISBN # 0-201-84618-7.

· See also the Daniels and Radebaugh web site – http://hepg.awl.com/daniels/IB8

· Culturegrams: The Nations Around Us, (1998) developed by the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, Brigham Young University. [Belgium, France, and United Kingdom]

· Internet access is required.

· Wall Street Journal is required.

· Other materials as assigned.

Course Policies

Attendance and Participation - The success of this class depends on your active participation. Come to each class prepared to discuss the subject matter assigned, and to actively contribute. Plan to attend every class and stay for the entire class. Missing more than one or two classes, or excessive lateness, will adversely affect your grade.

Assignments - Prepare all weekly assignments on the attached schedule thoroughly.

You are responsible for all materials assigned, whether or not they are discussed in class.

If you miss a class, you are responsible to find out what was presented in class.

Written Assignments – Written assignments must be turned in on the date assigned.

Written assignments must be typed on a computer, and follow accepted standards of style and grammar.

Presentations - You will be required to make presentations to the class. You should prepare carefully and practice your presentation thoroughly. You should use visual aids, and prepare handouts for the class. Audiovisual equipment is available; it is your responsibility to assure the necessary equipment is in class for your presentation.

Academic Honesty

You will be expected to complete your work on your own or as assigned in teams, and according to the most stringent standards of academic honesty. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. The first offense will result in a zero for the assignment, with no opportunity to redo or make up the work. The second offense will result in failure of the course.

Learning Center

The Learning Center offers assistance and peer tutoring for your individual needs, including writing and presentations. As graduate students, we expect your work to be professionally prepared and presented. Be sure to seek out help at the Learning Center if you need it.

To Contact the Instructors

We are available to meet with you by advance appointment, before or after class, during posted office hours, or at mutually convenient times.

Contact by e’mail:

o Professor Lermack - HLermack@aol.com

o Professor Malhotra - MalhotraD@philau.edu

Professor Malhotra’s office hours – 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Tuesday and Thursday. Office phone – 951-2813.

Course Assignments

Textbook and Readings - These are outlined on the attached semester schedule.

Internet Course Resources - Assignments and course materials are posted on both Professors’ web sites. Check at least weekly for changes to the schedule and news.

Many international resources for research, as well as the trip, are available on Professor Russow’s web site, “Everything International.”

o Professor Lermack’s site: http://faculty.philau.edu/lermackh

o Professor Malhotra’s site: http://faculty.philau.edu/malhotrad

o Professor Russow’s site: http://faculty.philau.edu/russowl/russow.html

Support materials for the cases, links to international sites, and other materials are available on the web site associated with the text.

o Daniels and Radebaugh web site – http://hepg.awl.com/daniels/IB8

Wall Street Journal – Read the International section, and bring in articles for class discussion each Monday.

Prepare Cases – You are responsible to thoroughly read, reread, and analyze the assigned cases. Be prepared to discuss the details of the case, and your analysis, in class. For written assignments, be sure to turn them in on the assigned day.

Current Events Discussions - Be prepared to discuss important current international business issues. Excellent news sources include:

o Financial and economic classes (Professor Malhotra): Euromoney, Asiamoney, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s.

o Strategic, management and marketing (Professor Lermack): Wall Street Journal, Business Week, New York Times, Washington Post. Your trade journals and association newsletters.

Country Presentations – You will select a specific country or region of the world and make a brief (no more than 10 minutes) presentation to the class. Countries and dates are outlined on the course schedule.

Trip Related Assignments

Written Biography – During the first class week, you will hand in a brief biography that will be shared with your classmates, hosts and other participants.

Passport and Visa Information – This information is required after the first week of classes.

Corporate Briefing and Debriefing Papers – You will prepare a written briefing paper on a company we will visit in Europe, and present a debriefing on that visit.

Trip Log – You will keep a log of the trip, and hand it in after we return.

Tentative Grading

Class preparation and participation – Both Professors            15%

Homework assignments and case studies - Both Professors    15%

Corporate briefings and presentations - Professor Lermack    10%

Professional behavior on trip - Both Professors                      15%

Corporate debriefings, presentations - Professor Malhotra        10%

Trip logs - Both Professors                                                   15%

Country presentations - Professor Lermack                            10%

Final exam - Both Professors                                                10%