SYLLABUS
MBA 718: GLOBAL BUSINESS IN PRACTICE
FALL 2015
Wed 2:00-4:50 PM, Bryan 206
1 COURSE SCHEDULE
Session
Session 1
Date
Aug 19
Topics
-Introduction
Part 1
-Course overview
Session 2
Aug 26
-Political environment
-Theory
Session 3
Sep 2
-Theory
Session 4
Sep 9
Session 5
Sep 16
Session 6
Sep 23
Session 7
Sep 30
Session 8
Oct 7
Session 9
Oct 14
Session 10
Oct 21
-National cultural
differences
-National cultural
differences
- Ethical and
environmental issues
-Entry modes:
Exporting and
contractual modes
-Entry modes: Foreign
direct investment modes
-Strategizing and
structuring around the
world
-Project work and
consultation
-Project presentations
Session 11
Oct 28
-Project presentations
Session 12
Nov 4
-Project presentations
Session 13
Nov 11
-Test preparation
-Project 1: China
-Project 2: India
-Project 5: Greece
-Project 6: Germany
-Project 9: Turkey
-Project 10: South
Africa
-Test preparation
Session 14
Nov 18
-Test
-Test
Part 2
-Case work instructions
-Group formation
-Case 1: Google in China
-Case 2: BP-TNK/Rosneft
-Case 3: McDonald’s
-Case 4: Oreo in China
-Theory and exercise
-Theory
-Theory
-Theory
-Theory
-Case 5: Siemens
-Case 6: Apple
-Case 7: Marriott
-Case 8: Disney
-Case 9: Fiat Chrysler
-Case 10: Microsoft-Nokia
-Case 11: examples
-Case 12: examples
-Project work and consultation
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-Project 3: Singapore
-Project 4: Japan
-Project 7: Great Britain
-Project 8: Finland
-Project 11: Egypt
-Project 12: Mexico
2 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Contact Information
Professor:
Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Dr. Sarala
378 Bryan
By appointment
rmsarala@uncg.edu
2.2 Course Material
Textbooks:
Fatehi, K. Managing internationally: Succeeding in a culturally diverse world. Sage
Publications.
Cavusgil, Knight & Riesenberger: International Business. 3rd edition. Pearson.
Luthans & Doh: International Management. 9th edition. McGraw Hill.
Peng: Global Strategy. 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning.
2.3 Course Description
Principles and practices of conducting business in a global environment.
2.4 Student Learning Objectives
Describe the public policy and political factors that can affect the risks of entering and
operating in a foreign country.
Analyze institutional, cultural and economic differences affecting business across regions of
the world.
Identify the key ethical and environmental issues that are typically connected with international
business.
Analyze the pros and cons of various methods of effectively entering and operating in a foreign
country.
Explain the importance of managing and leading in a global economy while remaining
responsible to the local particularities (in other words, “glocally”) and relate it to the
international strategies available for multinational companies.
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3 GRADING ITEMS DESCRIPTION
3.1 Weights of the Grading Items
1. Case presentation
2. Class participation
3. Project presentation
4. Test
20%
20%
30%
30%
3.2 Case Presentation: 20%
The presentation time per group is 25 minutes. An additional 5 minutes will then be
allotted for questions and general class discussions. Each group is required to e-mail me
(rmsarala@uncg.edu) a copy of their Power Point slides before the presentation. You
will lose points equal to 10% of the group case presentation if you fail to e-mail the
presentation slides prior to the beginning of the class session during which your
presentation is scheduled. Every group member has to participate actively in the
presentation.
3.3 Class Participation: 20%
Your participation in class is essential to your own learning and that of your peers. You
can earn attendance points in the following sessions:
Session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13
You can earn 1 point per session for a maximum of 10 points. Participation in the first
part of the session (before break) gives you 0.5 points and participation in the second part
of the session (after break) gives you 0.5 points.
Points will be converted to your attendance grade as follows:
10 points or more=100
9 points=90
8 points=80
7 points=70
6 points=60
5 points or less=0
In case of an illness, you can ask for a make-up exercise if you present a doctor’s note
covering the day of the class.
3.4 Project presentation: 30%
You will analyze the global business environment of a specific country. Your project
presentation should include an analysis of the following:
-Political environment
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-Institutional, cultural, and economic differences compared to the US
-Ethical and environmental issues
-Commonly used entry modes
-Examples of foreign companies who have successfully entered the country
-Examples of successful local companies
-Practical advise for business (e.g., common forms of greetings, currency, temperature,
manners, visa, vaccines)
The presentation time per group is 25 minutes. An additional 5 minutes will then be
allotted for questions and general class discussions. Each group is required to e-mail me
(rmsarala@uncg.edu) a copy of their Power Point slides before the presentation. You
will lose points equal to 10% of the group case presentation if you fail to e-mail the
presentation slides prior to the beginning of the class session during which your
presentation is scheduled. Every group member has to participate actively in the
presentation.
3.5 Test: 30%
The test verifies your knowledge of the theoretical material covered and your ability to
apply it. Answer the test questions based on the information you learned in the MBA 718
course slides. You are not allowed to consult any written material during the test. The
use of electronic devices during the test is not allowed.
3.6 Grading
A ≥ 95.000
90.000 ≥ A- ≥ 94.999
87.000 ≥ B+ ≥ 89.999
83.000 ≥ B ≥ 86.999
80.000 ≥ B- ≥ 82.999
78.000 ≥ C+ ≥ 79.000
70.000 ≥ C ≥ 79.000
F < 70
Grades are non-negotiable and final grades can only be changed due to incorrect
calculation or input errors. Grades are not rounded up. If you have questions as to the
validity of a grade this must be brought to my attention in writing within one (1) week of
the day/date the grade is announced. No extra credit assignments will be offered based on
individual requests.
4 COURSE POLICIES
4.1 Canvas
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The lecture slides are available for download through Canvas before each session. You
are responsible for checking Canvas announcements regularly for any schedule changes
or extra material.
4.2 Inclement Weather
The UNCG will remain open during adverse weather conditions unless the Chancellor
makes the administrative decision to make a schedule change.
4.3 Important Remarks
I reserve the right to make changes to this document as needed. Any changes are
announced during class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to connect with your
classmates to ensure that you have received all of the changes, handouts, etc.
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