MAN 4602 – International Business
Fall 2014
Wednesdays from 2:00pm – 4:45pm, Owa Ehan 134
Professor Stav Fainshmidt, Ph.D., CPA (Isr.)
Department of Management and International Business
Office:
E-mail: Please use Blackboard Messages to contact me
Office Hours: 1:00pm – 2:00pm Wednesdays or by appointment
Course Description:
This course surveys the changing international business landscape, focusing on the opportunities and
challenges that companies face in the global marketplace. Special attention is given to the phenomena of
globalization – of markets and production –and its implications for firms. The course also assesses the
economic, political, legal, cultural and ethical factors that affect multinational enterprises; and the role of
governments, central banks, financial markets, regional and multilateral institutions (e.g., World Bank,
IMF, WTO), and individuals in shaping the international economic environment.
Course and Learning Objectives:
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the nature of international business
and how it differs from purely domestic business. The course explores the major theories and concepts
used to explain global trade and foreign direct investment, and examines cases of companies that have
undertaken international expansion, with an eye to why a particular strategy was taken and whether, in
retrospect, it was the best option. Students will gain insights into the global economy and the factors that
influence a firm’s decision to internationalize, while learning about the skills needed to succeed in a
global environment.
In addition to the MAN4602 course learning objectives, this course will address the following COB
Curriculum Objectives:
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Communications Ability (presentations of readings materials and group projects)
Use of Information Technology (applied in research paper and group projects)
Globalization context for business (readings in course text and related materials)
Critical Thinking (in-class discussion of readings, including cases)
Analytic Skills (applied in work on research paper and group projects)
Ethical Reasoning Abilities (lectures on ethics and corporate social responsibility)
Materials:
You are required to buy a packet from the bookstore, which contains access to Connect Plus and the
following book: Hill, C. (2014) Loose Leaf Global Business Today with Connect Plus, 8th edition,
McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0077713184 or 9780077713188. This packet includes an electronic version of the
textbook, and access to Connect, which is required for this course’s assignments.
However, access to Connect (only assignments) or Connect Plus (assignments and ebook) may be
purchased online via this link. This may be useful if you have already obtained a version of the book
otherwise, or prefer not to have a loose leaf version and do all your readings online. Lecture PPT slides
and other relevant material will be posted on Blackboard on a weekly basis.
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Teaching Methodology:
This is a hybrid course – partially online and partially in-class. Class lectures will be supplemented by
PowerPoint slides, video cases and other interactive pedagogical tools. As such, students are expected to
review and closely follow Blackboard contents, as well as check their student emails on a regular basis.
Self-discipline and proactive, responsible conduct are critical to student success in partially or fully online
courses.
By the end of the semester, you should be able to:
• Understand the concept of globalization, the forces driving it, and arguments put forth by both
proponents and opponents.
• Identify the economic, political, legal and cultural differences that affect international operations
and influence a nation’s attractiveness as a market or investment destination;
• Understand international trade theory and theories used to explain patterns of foreign direct
investment and national competitive advantage;
• Understand how the global monetary system works, its evolution over time, and current debates
over the role and efficacy of the IMF and the World Bank;
• Comprehend the various international business functions, including export-import, production,
outsourcing, logistics, marketing, and global human resources management.
• Identify the different entry modes that a company can utilize to enter a foreign market and explain
which mode is appropriate under which circumstances.
Course Prerequisites:
MAN 3025 Organization & Management
Assignments and Grading:
Assignments are to be turned in via Blackboard prior to the beginning of the class. Your course grade will
be the weighted average of the following:
Class and Blackboard discussion
participation
Essay assignment
Midterm exam
Business periodical presentation
Connect assignments
Final exam
Final project presentation
10%
15%
20%
5%
10%
20%
20%
Class Participation
Students are expected to be in class on time and remain until the end of class. All students are expected to
contribute meaningfully to class discussions; participation points will be deducted if not. During the
lecture on conceptual material, students will be prompted to supply examples of various ways in which
the material applies to real life situations. Examples from your own experience are especially welcome. A
similar approach is needed to obtain a good BB participation grade. To get an “A” grade for BB
participation, a student should (a) answer all discussion questions posted by the instructor, and (b)
respond to answers of at least two other students. I will consider both quantity and quality of postings, as
well as the appropriateness and constructive nature of your remarks. These activities are designed to
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stimulate your thinking and analysis of the focal topic. I will also ask students to fill out two selfevaluations during the semester, as an opportunity for each student to reflect on their participation.
The attendance policy for this course is as follows:
1. Please do not come late to class.
2. Please note that absence from more than 10 percent of the scheduled in-class sessions will
result in a full letter grade penalty.
3. Each additional class absence beyond the 10 percent (two absences), will result in an
additional full letter grade penalty.
An absence is considered excused only when the proper university documentation is presented within two
weeks after the absence. Each two tardies (over 5 minutes late) will result in one unexcused absence.
Also, if you leave class early, it will be considered as an unexcused absence. If you miss a class, you are
responsible for the material covered during that class. Furthermore, conduct that is unprofessional or
otherwise detracts from the educational goals of the course may be penalized at my discretion by reducing
the offender's participation grade. If the problem becomes acute, further disciplinary measures may be
imposed consistent with university policy.
Essay Assignment
This is an individual written assignment (2 pages, single-spaced) to be submitted via Blackboard.
Students will answer specific questions provided by the instructor via Blackboard. There are few (if any)
absolute "right" answers to the questions (although there are wrong answers!). If you are able to
demonstrate knowledge of the required concepts, consider all of the facts in the case, account for your
opinions, and justify your answer, you are probably moving toward an excellent analysis. Nonetheless,
while half of the grade for this assignment is given based on content, the other half is based on your
writing. In this regard, please read the Guidelines for Written Work section below.
Midterm and Final Exams
These will be online exams, completed individually. The exams will include multiple-choice and short
essay questions. Make-up tests will only be allowed in case of documented emergencies.
Connect Exercises
In some of the weeks, you will be guided to complete an exercise via the Connect website. These
exercises are aimed at improving your understanding of the focal topic, as well as provide an opportunity
to apply textbook concepts to real-world situations and organizations.
Business periodical presentation
The objective of this assignment is to introduce students to issues covered in the business press that are
related to the topics discussed in this course. This assignment will be done in pairs. Each pair will find
and review an article (related to the chapter topic of the day) appearing in business periodicals in the past
6 months. The original article should be emailed to the instructor at least two days prior to the
presentation in class. Each pair will discuss an article for 5 minutes followed by a 5 minute discussion and
Q&A. Each pair will prepare about 3-4 PowerPoint slides. Failing to follow these procedures will result
in grade deduction. I will upload example slides to Blackboard in order to provide you with some
guidance as to the structure of a successful periodical presentation. As for grading criteria, please refer to
Appendix I.
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Suggested Business Press Titles
BusinessWeek
The Wall Street Journal
Forbes
CEO Magazine
Entrepreneur Magazine
Latin Trade
Financial Times
The Wall Street Journal Asia
Fortune
The Economist
Inc. Magazine
Harvard Business Review
Final Project Presentation
Each team will choose a multinational enterprise from the Fortune Global 500 list
(http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/) to study. The team should become familiar with the
company’s nature and scope of international operations. Then, the team is to choose a country, in which
the company is NOT operating, and study this country based on concepts and material we will cover in
class. Finally, the team is to prepare an executive report presentation that outlines the insights from the
research conducted, with a focus on whether, why, and how the company should enter (or not) the focal
country. To accomplish this goal, teams will prepare a 15 minute presentation. The presentation of your
research effort is due on December 3rd. As for grading criteria, please refer to Appendix II. I will put
heavy emphasis on the effort and comprehensiveness of the report when grading.
On October 1st, each team must send me a 1-page, single-spaced progress report. This report should
include (a) the name of the multinational company you are studying, (b) some general information about
the nature and scope of the company’s global operations, (c) your country of choice and why, (d) the
current stage of your work, and (e) your plan towards successfully accomplishing this assignment. Failure
to submit an acceptable progress report will result in grade deduction from your research presentation. I
will notify each team within two days of submission whether the report is acceptable.
For your final project, you may search and use any sources of information (e.g., Google). However, be
advised that most of the research tools needed to succeed at FIU are available via the university’s library
in the following link: https://library.fiu.edu/researchtools
Guidelines for Written Work
Written assignments will be graded on content and style. Factors that contribute to (or detract from) the
quality of a report:
• Organization and clarity: Use appropriate headings and subheadings.
• Precision: Do not ramble just to fill paper.
• Logical consistency.
• Rigor and thoroughness: Consider all the facts of the case, before making a conclusion.
• Application of class concepts: Integrate your analyses or review with class material.
• Grammar and spelling.
• Cleanliness and formatting.
All written assignments must be typed with 1 inch margins (top, bottom, sides). If assignments are turned
in late, 30% of the grade will be deleted for each day late, and no assignments will be accepted after two
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days past the due date. If the student knows in advance of an unavoidable absence, the report is due prior
to the absence.
Assignment to Teams
In order to assimilate real-world managerial work conditions, and to enhance your cooperative,
organization, and communication skills, the instructor will randomly assign students to teams in the
beginning of the course. It is expected that all team members participate equally in the group projects.
The responsibility for ensuring equal participation lies with the group members. The instructor cannot
arbitrate disputes on this issue; however, the instructor will seek a peer evaluation towards the end of the
semester. If any individual receives a poor evaluation by the group members, then that student's project
grade will be appropriately adjusted.
Grading Scale
Grades will be assigned based on the following values:
94-100
A
73-76
C
90-93
A-
70-72
C-
87-89
B+
67-69
D+
83-86
B
63-66
D
80-82
B-
60-62
D-
77-79
C+
<60
F
About Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious and significant issue within universities. The College of Business has strict
standards that your instructor fully supports. A student will have committed plagiarism if he or she
reproduces someone else’s work without acknowledging its source; or if a source is cited which the
student has not cited or used. Plagiarism also occurs in a group project if one or more of the members of
the group does none of the group’s work and participates in none of the group’s activities, but attempts to
take credit for the work of the group. In your professional career, you will find that reputation is
everything. Plagiarism can ruin your reputation and cost you your professional career, along with the
respect of your peers and family.
Hints for Avoiding Plagiarism:
 More than three words is plagiarism. This is a good yardstick to use when wondering whether or
not quotes are appropriate. They are, if you are copying more than three words in sequence.
 One source is not “common knowledge.” Common knowledge does not require citation. But
something is not common knowledge if you have found just one source for the information.
 When in doubt, cite! If you have any doubt about whether or not to cite a source, err on the side of
making the attribution.
 If your co-author sounds surprisingly eloquent, make sure the contribution is his or her own. We
often work in groups and co-author papers and projects. You should ask the question of your coauthor if you doubt the work is their own. In group work, you are responsible for the
project/paper in its entirety.
 Look away. When you are writing, do not have open books or papers in front of you as you type.
Read your sources, and then put what you have read into your own words.
 Writing is hard work. Paraphrasing is relatively easy, writing is hard. Learning to be a good
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


writer is part of what your college education is about. Staring at an empty screen in MS Word
does become less daunting over time!
Just because it’s on the Internet, doesn’t mean it’s yours. The Internet is a fantastic resource and
search engines are terrific research tools. But what you find on the Internet was written by
someone. You must cite Internet web sites, and if you use a quote, use appropriate quotation
procedures.
Paraphrasing is more than changing a verb tense or reordering a list. There is a difference
between citing a source for a fact and creating a bad quote.
Use a Style Guide. Purchase a style guide and refer to it. Your teacher may suggest one or look
for one at Amazon. Popular and timeless guides are by the American Psychological Association,
Strunk and White, and Kate Turabian.
Office Hours:
You are encouraged to meet with me either as individuals or groups. My office hours are on Wednesdays
from 1pm to 2pm. You also are welcome to make an appointment if you would like to meet some other
time. Finally, if you think you need an accommodation for a disability, please let me know at your earliest
convenience. Some aspects of the course, the assignments, the in-class activities, and the way I teach may
be modified to facilitate your participation and progress. As soon as you make me aware of your needs,
we can work with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities to help us determine appropriate
accommodations. I will treat information you provide as private and confidential.
Summary of Course Outline
The schedule is tentative! The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to the schedule as
necessary during the semester.
Date
August 27
Type
In-class
Topic
Introduction and syllabus
Knowledge quiz
Team building
Globalization
September 3
Online
September 10
In-class
Political economy and
economic development
September 17
Online
National culture
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Readings/assignments/deliverables
 Read Chapter 1
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Answer discussion questions on BB:
The case of Singapore
 Complete Connect exercise: The
Globalization Debate
 Read Chapters 2 and 3
 Review instructor’s PPT slides for
chapters and periodical
 Complete Connect exercise:
Evaluating Country Attractiveness
 Periodical presentations
 Read Chapter 4
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Complete Connect exercise: Geert
Hofstede’s Big Idea
 Answer discussion question on BB:
The case of Finnish Firms
September 24
In-class
Ethics in international
business
October 1
Online
International trade
October 8
In-class
Foreign direct investment
October 15
Online
Midterm exam (on chapters
1 through 8)
October 22
In-class
Regional economic
integration
October 29
Online
Foreign exchange and the
international monetary
system
November 5
In-class
Strategy of international
business and entry mode
November 12
Online
Global marketing and
R&D; Global human
resource management.
 Read Chapter 5
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Complete Connect exercise:
Corruption at Crime-ler
 Periodical presentations
 Read Chapters 6 and 7
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Complete Connect exercise: The Rise
of Bangladesh’s Textile Trade
 Answer discussion question on BB:
Exporting Energy
 Project progress report is due.
 Read Chapter 8
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Periodical presentation
 Submit essay assignment
 Discussion about essay assignment in
class
 Optional: complete chapter quizzes on
Connect
 Midterm participation assessment
 Read Chapter 9
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Periodical presentation
 Work on final projects in class
 Read Chapters 10 and 11
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Complete Connect exercise:
Spolkswagon's Hedging Strategy
 Answer discussion questions on BB:
The Swiss Franc: A currency from
where?
 Read Chapters 12 and 13
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Periodical presentation
 Complete Connect exercise: Choosing
a Strategy
 Read Chapters 16 and 17
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
 Complete Connect exercise:
Overcoming Cultural Barriers to
Selling Tampons
 Answer discussion questions on BB:
The San Antonio Spurs and NBA
November 19
In-class
Production and logistics
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 Read Chapter 15
 Review instructor’s PPT slides
November 26
Online
December 3
In-class
December 8-13
Work on final project;
BB discussion about final
exam and final project
presentations
Final project presentations
and course conclusion
 Periodical presentations
 Work on final project in class
 Bonus round: Business
communication 101
 Review PPT slides and notes
 Optional: complete chapter quizzes on
Connect
 Final project presentation
 Peer evaluations
 Final participation assessment
Final exam
Appendix I: Oral Presentation Evaluation Form
1. The presentation was well-planned and effectively organized.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
2. The presenter discussed major points of the chapter for this week in analyzing the article.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
3. I enjoyed listening to the speaker and learned something.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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Strongly Agree
4. The presenter effectively used audio-visual materials.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5. The presenter displayed interest and enthusiasm in the topic.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
Strongly Agree
Overall, the presentation merits the following grade:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Appendix II: Final Project Presentation Evaluation Form
1. The presentation was well-planned and effectively organized, including usage of PPT.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
2. The introduction of the global firm was clear and concise.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
3. The introduction of the examined country was clear and concise.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
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4. The presenter(s) demonstrated understanding of relevant material in discussing their arguments and
rationale
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
5. I enjoyed listening to the speakers and learned something; the presenter(s) displayed interest and
enthusiasm in the topic.
Strongly Disagree 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Strongly Agree
Overall, the presentation merits the following grade (circle one):
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Appendix III: Peer Evaluation Form
Throughout the semester we have discussed the importance of teamwork,
communication, accountability, and social capital to your success as managers. Clearly, being a
good colleague is imperative to effective managerial work. As for this course, peer evaluation is
at the heart of keeping students accountable to their teammates for contribution to the final
project. Please give each of your peers a score on a scale from 1 to 10 that you feel accurately
reflects both the quantity and quality of their contributions to the team assignment throughout the
semester. When doing so, consider a broad array of factors such as quality of technical work,
commitment, leadership, responsibility, communication, and attitude (a score of 1 meaning no
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contribution at all). Keep in mind that your ratings remain confidential, so I expect an honest
assessment.
Your name:
Team number:
Name of and score you assign to your teammates:
Name of teammate
Score
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