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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 331"
COURSE NAME: "China's Perspectives on Globalization and Business"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ieva Jakobsone Bellomi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course shall introduce the students with the political, economic, and innovation systems of the People’s Republic of China and its philosophical and cultural elements which are of importance for international business, international marketing, and international management disciplines. The course shall also cover main globalization and soft power initiatives of the People’s Republic of China currently reshaping international business environment.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course focuses on key concepts of international business theoretical models analyzing the rise of the People’s Republic of China since 1980s and its impact on globalization trends and the creation of a new axis of economic and business powers as outlined by academia. The models of international business and current academic research shall be complemented by the case studies and discussions on changes brought by Chinese multinational companies in the global trading policies and business environments. The course also reviews the Chinese state-led international initiatives, like Belt and Road Initiative and Asian Investment and Infrastructure Bank, as alternative models to the traditional regional economic integration models and international financial systems, with a particular focus on China-Africa axis.

 The course is structured on four pillars:

(1) overview of modern history, political, economic and innovation systems of the People’s Republic of China;

(2) overview of Chinese business environment based on the key findings of international business actors;

(3) understanding of Chinese philosophical thought and cultural values and

(4) China’s globalization initiatives with a particular focus on frontier markets of the African continent.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course, the students should be fluent:

-          To understand the political, economic, innovation eco-systems, and the rise of the People’s Republic of China;

-          To understand and assess the growth drivers, opportunities, and the risks of Chinese business environment;

-          To understand and analyze the dynamics of international initiatives and operations of the Chinese government and Chinese multinationals;

-          To understand the current perspectives on the new axis of economic and business powers;

-          To identify and understand the philosophical importance, as well as cultural differences and challenges for doing business in China and with Chinese companies.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Group presentation: on new global business order for future 15
Mid-term exam: in the form of essays 20
Group presentation: on Chinese Mainland market access problems 15
Final exam – individual research paper on philosophical and cultural differences in business, marketing, or management in specific Chinese business case studies 40
Class participation 10

-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:

Class attendance is highly recommended as the majority of the content of the course shall be covered in classes in the form of lectures and class discussions.

The participation to the group presentations is mandatory, in case of unexcused absence, the student will lose all the points of the graded exercise.

 

 
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.
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.
SCHEDULE

 

Topic

Required and recommended readings

Topic 1

(2 lectures estimated)

Globalization: New Perspectives

Required readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 2.

- Quah, Danny. ‘The Global Economy’s Shifting Power of Gravity’ in Global Policy, January 2011. 

Topic 2

(1 lecture estimated)

Overview of the modern history of the People’s Republic of China, current political system, and its influence over Chinese business environment

Required readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 6.

- Sterckx, Roel. Chinese Thought from Confucius to Cook Ding. Penguin Books, 2019. Chapter 1. 

Topic 3

(2 lectures estimated)

Overview of the economic system of the People’s Republic of China and its impact on the international business environment

Recommended Readings:

- Wang, Jiangyu. ‘The Political Logic of Corporate Governance in China’s State-owned Enterprises’ in Cornell International Law Journal, Vol. 47, No. 3. 2014.

Topic 4

(2 lectures estimated)

Chinese Business Environment: Diamond model perspective

 

Required Readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 8. 

Topic 5

(4 lectures estimated)

Chinese Innovation Eco-system: From Past to Future

Required Readings:

- Abrami, Regina, M. and Kirby, William, C. and McFarlan, Warren, F. ‘Why China Can't Innovate and What It's Doing About It’ in Harvard Business Review Magazine, March 2014.

- Dychtwald, Zack. ‘China’s New Innovation Advantage’ in Harvard Business Review Magazine, May–June, 2021. 

Topic 6

(4 lectures estimated)

Internationalization of Chinese multinationals

Required Readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 11 and Chapter 12.

- Sterckx, Roel. Chinese Thought from Confucius to Cook Ding. Penguin Books, 2019. Chapter 8.

Topic 7

(4 lectures estimated)

Chinese Philosophy and Culture for Business, Management and Marketing

Required Readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 3.

- Sterckx, Roel. Chinese Thought. From Confucius to Cook Ding. Penguin Books, 2019. Chapter 2 ‘The Way (Dao) and Its Ways’, Chapter 3 ‘The Art of Government’, Chapter 4 ‘The Individual and Collective’.

Topic 8

(2 lectures estimated)

Overview of China’s Globalization Initiatives: Belt and Road Initiative and AIIB

Required Readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 7 and Chapter 9.

Topic 9

(2 lectures estimated)

China’s Globalization Initiatives: Africa Link of Belt and Road Initiative

Recommended Readings:

- Bräutigam, Deborah and Tang, Xiaoyang. ‘“Going Global in Groups”: Structural Transformation and China’s Special Economic Zones Overseas’ in World Development, Vol. 63 (C), 2014.

Topic 10

(1 lecture estimated)

Future Outlook on Globalization: China and Africa Business Perspectives

Required Readings:

- Cavusgil, Tamer, S. and Knight, Gary and Riesenberger, J. International Business: The New Realities. (Fifth Edition). Pearson, 2019. Chapter 14.