The course is an introduction to the globalization of international business, an examination of the various political, economic, cultural, and legal differences in the various countries in various areas around the world, international trade theory, the political economy of international trade, foreign direct investment, regional economic integration, foreign exchanges and the global monetary system, an examination of global strategies that should be considered when entering a foreign market, product development in the global context and managing global operations
Titular Professors
Professors
None required.
The objectives of the course are the following: 1. To introduce students to the contemporary issues in international business that illustrates the unique challenges faced by manages in the international business environment. 2. To cover a broad range of international business issues from an interdisciplinary viewpoint and emphasizing the key concerns of the multinational and global corporation. 3. To assist students to develop a truly global perspective rather than just a local viewpoint. 4. To assist students to integrate into their thinking the important societal dimensions of diversity, environmental concerns, ethics, and technological change. 5. To develop knowledge and skills to analyze cross cultural variables and their impact on international business.
AGENDA FOR THE SESSIONS: Below you can find a tentative schedule, subject to change if needed. Week Content 1 Topic: Introduction to doing business in a global market 2 Topic: Country differences 3 Topic: Country differences Case: India on the move 4 Topic: International negotiations Case: Journey to Sakhalin 5 Topic: International Trade 6 Topic: Political economy of international Trade Case: China and WTO 7 Topic: Regional Integration 8 Topic: Midterm week 9 Topic: International strategies Case: CEMEX: Internationalization project 10 Topic: International strategies Case: P&G Japan: The SK-II Globalization project 11 Topic: Entering foreign markets and entry modes 12 Topic: International management of subsidiaries 13 Presentations and final paper due 14 Presentations and final paper due 15 Final exam
The course is oriented towards individual and group learning. We will use: - Case Discussion. The case method is being used in business schools to enhance the learning process in managerial training. The cases have been chosen for its relationship to the core issues on the International business course. The students are expected to prepare deeply and participate actively in class discussions. However, read and prepare is not enough, students are required to contribute with interventions in group and plenary sessions. Finally, as a reminder, the learning process under the case method requires active participation and deep discussion. - Conceptual class discussions. The objective is to present and discuss collectively the conceptual frameworks and tools that build the core of the course. I will facilitate the process of discussion and will remark the key concepts and lessons. However, each student is responsible for formulating his/her own synthesis building upon the conceptual readings, class attendance, class participation and class discussion. For a proper follow up of the course the students must read and prepare the assigned readings before classes. The content of the course is structured in sequence, being each session a base for the next one. Accordingly, it is very important that students prepare each session and attend classes.
Continuous assessment has the following evaluation structure:
Evaluation type | Weight | Content | Activity type |
Individual project | 15% | First half of subjects | Moderately important |
Class participation | 30% | All subjects | Highly important |
Team project | 25% | All subjects | Highly important |
Final exam | 30% | All subjects | Highly important |
The evaluation criteria apply to all the students, and retakers must attend classes and submit all the requested deliverables. Any exceptional situation should be communicated to the professors in advance and validated by the tutor before the first month of class.
Laptops may be used during the course, but exclusively for note-taking and course-related research. If students are unable to actively participate at any given moment during class hours, they are encouraged to leave the room and take the time necessary to deal with personal business elsewhere.
Mobile phones, communication software, and any AI tool (such as chatgpt, bard, bing or similar) are strictly prohibited.
Thus, the use of these tools by students will be considered fraud and will involve the application of the copy regulations of La Salle Campus Barcelona.
To pass the subject, the overall score must be higher than 5.
The following aspects will be assessed:
- Depth and accuracy of strategic analysis applied to international business contexts, including evaluation of political, economic, cultural, and legal factors across countries.
- Identification and justification of firm objectives, entry modes, and global strategies, with clear links to stakeholder relationships and competitive positioning.
- Quality of market and competitor assessments in the individual project component, demonstrating interdisciplinary insights into opportunities and risks.
- Coherence and professionalism in the team project report and presentation, integrating individual analyses into a unified strategic entry plan with practical recommendations.
- Clarity and impact of oral presentations, effectively communicating key insights from case analyses and group work.
- Consistent active participation in class discussions, showing preparation and contribution to debates on contemporary international business issues.
Course textbook:
Charles W.L. Hill International Business. 13th edition 2021
Czinkota, M.R, Ronkainen, I.A., Moffett, M. H. International Business. 2003.