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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "BUS 330-4"
COURSE NAME: "International Business"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2022
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Marco Valerio Rossi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11.30 AM 12.45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: Junior Standing, EC 202; Recommended: MKT 301
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental elements of international business, including political, economic and social systems and barriers affecting international trade and investment, key aspects of global and regional economic integration models, and the global monetary system. The course covers in depth market entry strategies and international organizational structures, reviews key functions of international business and highlights contemporary internationalization problems.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will cover all the fundamental elements of international business. An understanding of international business is essential for students in today's interdependent global world. This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand the global economic, political, cultural and social environment within which firms operate. In addition to the concepts, the course aims to stimulate class participation with the discussion of real thematic case studies and/or other readings, in order to provide a significant added value to students.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- apply their acquired skills in research, planning, presentation and decision making to specific international business situations
- recognise danger and opportunity signals in foreign markets
- discuss theoretical and practical concepts underlying international business
- demonstrate a core sensitivity for foreign cultures.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| International Business Strategy (3rd edition, 2021) | Alain Verbeke, I. H. Ian Lee | Cambridge University Press | 9781108738378 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation | Students are encouraged to share new interesting articles, findings, and opinions/viewpoints on international business issues with the class. | 15% |
| Mid-term exam | Written, individual exam. | 25% |
| Group assignment/group presentation | Case analysis on a global company (to be approved by the professor) and its success/failure in the international markets. | 30% |
| Final exam | Written, individual exam. | 30% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. As for the specific course - students are required to study the textbook and attend the classes to get the most and up-to-date focus on international business.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week
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Topic
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Reading *
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1
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Introduction to international business, and contrast with international management. A unifying framework for international business strategy - seven key concepts
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Verbeke, Introduction & Chapter 1
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2
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Firm specific advantages (FSAs) – how critical they can be
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Chapter 2 & selected case study(ies)
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3
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Home country location advantages: their nature
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Chapter 3 & selected case study(ies)
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4
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Home country location advantages: the problem of ‘distance’
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Chapter 4 & selected case study(ies)
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5
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Combining FSAs and location advantages in a multinational network
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Chapter 5 & selected case study(ies)
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6
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International innovation: R&D decentralisation, benefits and conflicts
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Chapter 6 & selected case study(ies)
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7
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International sourcing and production: strengths and weaknesses
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Chapter 7 & selected case study(ies)
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8
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International finance: managing risk and market imperfections
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Chapter 8 & selected case study(ies)
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9
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International marketing, including use of internet, and potential and constraints of global account management
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Chapter 9 & selected case study(ies)
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10
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Management issues in multinational enterprises
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Chapter 10 & selected case study(ies)
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11
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Entry mode dynamics of global strategy (I): foreign distributors; strategic alliance partners
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Chapter 11 & 12 & selected case study(ies)
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12
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Entry mode dynamics of global strategy (II): mergers and acquisitions
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Chapter 13 & selected case study(ies)
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13
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Emerging economies: their role in international business, I
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Chapter 14 & selected case study(ies)
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14
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Emerging economies: their role in international business, II
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Chapter 15 & selected case study(ies)
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* All readings given here are from the course textbook by Alain Verbeke. Additional readings could eventually be provided directly by the instructor during the course.
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