Global Dimensions of Business, GBU 355
Spring I, Monday and Thursday, 7:50 PM – 10:00 PM
Instructor: Patty Saliba
601-260-1145
saliba@mc.edu
Overview:
This is an introductory course in international business. The basic content of the course includes
(1) an overview of the means of conducting international business, with an emphasis on what
makes international different from domestic; (2) the effects of the social systems within countries
on the conduct of international business; (3) the major theories explaining international business
transactions and the institutions influencing those activities; (4) the financial exchange systems
and institutions that measure and facilitate international transactions; (5) the dynamic interface
between countries and companies attempting to conduct foreign business activities; (6) corporate
strategy alternatives for global operations; and (7) international activities that fall largely within
functional disciplines.
Rationale:
The global economy is becoming ever more closely integrated-a process normally called
globalization. Companies large and small are “going global.” Due to the increasing ease of
communicating internationally, all types and sizes of businesses are able to operate on a global
scale. Globalization is no longer limited to the large, multinational corporation. Small
businesses are also experiencing the effects of globalization. Directly or indirectly, almost every
company will in some way be impacted by globalization. This course aims to provide students
with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to interact effectively in the global, business arena.
Global Dimensions of Business is a required course in the School of Business.
Objectives:
The overall goal of this course is to provide students with a thorough introduction to
international business. Therefore, the major objectives for this course are as follows:
1. Understand the different challenges business face when they operate in an international
environment;
2. Examine the various cultural, political and legal issues that impact international business
activity;
3. Examine the international institutions and practices that impact international business;
4. Understand trade and investment theory, foreign exchange and the determination of foreign
exchange rates;
5. Appreciate the interaction of business and government as they relate to international
commerce;
6. Develop insight into the management implications of international business strategy and
operations.
Structure:
This course is organized into four parts. We begin with a general overview of globalization and
a review of the drivers of globalization, including the cultural environment, the global trade
environment, politics and laws, and economic integration. Second, we review global trade and
investment, including economic integration and trade and investment theory. Third, we review
global finance, including foreign exchange, global financial markets and global financial
management. We conclude with an exploration of global operations, including exporting and
global marketing. Ethics and social responsibility are considered throughout the course as they
relate to the specific topics covered.
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Materials:
Hill, Charles W. International Business:Competing in the Global Marketplace. McGraw-Hill.
8th Edition. 2009.
Supplementary Student Support Materials:
Students should log on to the textbook web site: http://www.mhhe.com/hill . That site has among
other available resources, an Online Learning Center that contains practice quizzes, Power Point
slides of all chapters as well as Internet exercises.
Academic Integrity:
Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as
cheating or plagiarism, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalties including,
but not limited to loss of credit and possible dismissal. See the Mississippi College
Undergraduate Bulletin for specific information.
Attendance:
 Attendance is required and accurate records will be kept.
 Any student whose absences, whether excused or unexcused, exceed 25% of the class
meetings will receive a grade of F in the course. Therefore, a student receives a
grade of F in any ADP course immediately upon accumulating four (4) absences in
that class.
 You do have a right of appeal.
 Be on time for class. Three tardies = one (1) absence.
 It is your responsibility to notify me at the end of the class period in order to receive
attendance credit, if you do enter class after role has been called.
 If you leave class early, you will be counted absence for one (1) class meeting.
Course Evaluation:
The student’s final grade for this course will be based upon the combination of exam grades and
project grades as follows:
Exams (3)
Activities
Quizzes*
Case 1
Case 2
Debates
55%
10%
10%
5%
10%
10%
*To be administered at beginning of class; These quizzes will be used to take role. These
quizzes can not be made up. If you are not in class at the time quizzes are distributed, you may
not take the quiz upon your arrival.
There will be three (3) exams given during the term. The final exam is NOT comprehensive.
Exams may include any combination of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, matching,
Short answer, or essay questions.
“Make-up” Exams:
Do Not Miss Exams! If you absolutely must miss an exam, notify me no later than the class
period before the exam and be prepared to provide an excuse with proper documentation no
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later than the class period after the scheduled exam. Students who do not notify me within
the allotted time frame and do not provide an acceptable excuse as defined by University policy
will receive a score of zero for the missed exam. Make up exams will be administered
immediately following the final exam on the last night of class. Make up exams will be
comprised of discussion questions.
Class Schedule:
Note: The following are approximate topics and dates. The instructor reserves the right to make
changes as necessary.
Date
Mon-1-10-11
Thur-1-13-11
Mon-1-17-11
Thur-1-20-11
Mon-1-24-11
Thur-1-27-11
Mon-1-31-11
Thur-2-3-11
Mon-2-7-11
Topics
Introduction and Course Overview
Quiz Chapter 1
Globalization
Nat’l Differences in Political Economy
MLK Holiday, No Class
Nat’l Differences in Political Economy (cont’d)
Quiz Chapter 3
Differences in Culture
Quiz Chapter 4
Ethics in International Business
Exam Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
International Trade Theory
Quiz Chapter 6
The Political Economy of Internat’l Trade
Quiz Chapter 7
Foreign Direct Investment
Quiz Chapter 8
Regional Economic Integration
Thur-2-10-11
Mon-2-14-11
Exam Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8,
Quiz Chapter 14
Entry Strategy and Strategic Alliances
Thur-2-17-11
Quiz Chapter 15
Exporting, Importing and Countertrade
Mon-2-21-11
Quiz Chapter 16
Global Production, Outsourcing, and Logistics
Quiz Chapter17
Global Marketing and R&D
Discuss Case 2
Quiz Chapter 18
Global Human Resource Management
Final Exam Chapters 14-15-16-17-18
Thur-2-24-11
Mon, 2-28-11
Thur, 3-3-11
Readings/Assignments
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Activity 1 Due
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Activity 2 Due
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Activity 3 Due
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Case 1 from
Category A Due
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Activity 4 Due
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Activity 5 Due
Chapter 17
Case 2 from
Category B due
Chapter 18
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Cases:
Select one case from category A; category B is required.
Category A:
Google in China
Mired in Corruption-Kellogg, Brown and Root in Nigeria
NAFTA and the U.S. Textile Industry
Agricultural Subsidies and Development
Downey’s Soup
Li & Fung
Castrol Oil in Vietnam
pgs 154-155
pgs 155-156
pg 298
pg 300
pgs 518-519
pgs 676-677
pg 677
Category B:
The Global Automobile Industry in 2009
pgs 502-512

Answer the Case Discussion Questions, using complete sentences. (Do not answer “yes”
or “no” without substantiating your response.
 Points will be allocated on how well you substantiate your opinions/responses.
Did you thoroughly answer the question?
Did you back up your answer with facts and/or your opinions regarding the case?
 Points will be deducted for incorrect spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
 Responses must be typed.
Debates: Debates will be scheduled during course.
Debate: Should the US government prohibit Chinese companies from buying US oil companies
like Unocal?
Positions: 1) Economic and political advisors to the Obama government; 2) Unocal’s board of
directors; 3) Chevron and its lobbyists; 4) free-trade economists; 5) china National
Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC); 6) Chinese government; 7) US Department of
Defense
Debate: We are at a WTO Arbitration hearing. Debates are taking place on the following trade
issues: a) beef hormones and genetically engineered crops; b) protection of shrimps
and turtles.
Positions: 1) beef (Europe); 2) genetically engineered crops (Europe); 3) beef (USA);
4) genetically engineered crops (USA); 5) turtles (US); 6) turtles (India, Pakistan,
and Malaysia); 7) WTO Arbitration Panel.
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Debate: How should coffee retailers respond to claims that they are responsible for ensuring
“fairness” in the way that coffee is produced? Should coffee companies care? Why
or why not? If they should care, should they work with non-government organizations
(NGOs) or develop their own internal standards? If NGOs, then what types of NGOs
should they work with?
Positions: 1) Transfair USA (and other “Fair” trade groups); 2) Starbuck’s top leadership;
3) coffee consumers (half go to Starbucks; half brew their own coffee from supermarkets); 4) Conservation International; 5) poor coffee farmers in Kinuntu, Uganda;
6) “free-trade” economists; 7) “non-specialty” coffee producers, such as Maxwell
House (Kraft), Nescafe (Nestle)
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