Seminar in International Business (SB693)
In Partnership with Schiller University, Strasbourg, France
Spring Semester 2006
Course Facilitators:
Sandy Fisher
Office: 375 Snell
Phone: 315-268-6430
Email: sfisher@clarkson.edu
Mike Wasserman
Office: 329 Snell
Phone: 315-268-7719
Email: mwasserm@clarkson.edu
Learning Objectives:
This course is intended to meet the experiential requirement for the Clarkson University MBA
program. Therefore, the learning objectives are practical and will be achieved in the most
applied, hands-on way possible. By the end of the course, students should:






Develop broad awareness of a variety of European and multinational business practices
(for example, supply chain management, human resource management, marketing,
finance) and develop in-depth knowledge in one of these areas related to each student’s
chosen program of study.
Develop awareness of cultural differences (US and Europe and between European
countries) and how these differences affect business practices, processes, and strategies.
Develop knowledge of European Union structures and laws, and their impact on business.
Develop awareness of challenges in international travel and skills to master those
challenges.
Identify unique aspects of business climate and potential for new business opportunities
in the European market.
Apply knowledge and skills developed in other MBA courses to analysis of the European
business environment.
To achieve these objectives, we will use a variety of learning methods, including lecture, class
discussion, student presentations, site visits, and guest speakers, to explore topics such as:
 Supply chain management – how do competition and collaboration impact supply chain
management in the EU?
 Logistics and transportation – do firms rely on a different mix of rail, air, and highway to
transport goods? What is the impact on customer satisfaction and financial performance?





Human capital - how are EU businesses dealing with the trend toward outsourcing and
offshoring? How do different labor laws and cultures impact human resource
management? What do employees expect from the employment relationship?
Information technology – are there differences in how European firms implement and use
IT to support business practices? Are different types of technologies dominant in the
European economy? Has e-commerce had a similar impact in Europe?
How has the formation of the EU and the change to the common currency affected the
business environment? How have these changes impacted free trade?
How are businesses in the EU responding to the rise of India and China?
How can EU firms encourage innovation in a way that promotes long-term success? What
is the role of the government in the innovation process?
To facilitate the comparative nature of the seminar, there will be several required pre-departure
activities, including:
 Tours of local retail and manufacturing facilities (or guest speakers)
 Assigned readings
 Orientation meeting(s) to address the travel and cultural details, as well as basic language
skills.
Grading. There will be four deliverables for the seminar:
 Political, cultural, and organizational awareness presentations (20%). To help
everyone in the group be better prepared for the cultures we will encounter and the
organizations we will visit, students (in pairs) will prepare and deliver a 15 minute
presentation on one of the following topics:
 German culture and economy
 French culture and economy
 Swiss culture and economy
 European union
 The EU’s transition to and use of a common currency (the euro)
 DaimlerChrysler or Porsche
 Novartis
 Bosch
 Wine industry in France and Germany
 Rail transportation in Europe
 Roads and highways – usage, funding, structure
 Patterns of energy production and consumption in Europe and their impact on
business
 Biotech (US vs. EU)
 Food and food production
 Defense and military issues
 Labor climate
 Language
 Travel and tourism
 Heathcare
If you have a topic in mind that is not covered on the list, feel free to propose it, making
sure you get approval from either Mike or Sandy. Your presentation should present the
key issues related to the topic. Support any assertions or generalizations with facts and
data, and cite sources you use to prepare the presentation. If you choose one of the
specific companies, you should also provide a brief industry overview to help us with the
context.
In addition to the oral presentation, you must also prepare a 1-2 page “at a glance”
summary of your material that we can bring on the trip – something we would want to
review the night before a visit to the country or organization. As part of this summary,
generate a handful of questions that we could ask to find out more when we get there.
You only need to submit one copy of the summary document. We will make copies for
the rest of the class.

Analysis of global competitiveness issues faced in one industry in the US. Each student
will select an industry represented by one of the companies we will be visiting on the trip
(automotive, pharmaceutical, retail, etc.) and explore the relevant global competitiveness
issues related to one business area or function (e.g., supply chain practices, innovation, HR
practices, marketing, finance) consistent with their educational goals for the MBA program.
Depending on the industry chosen, you may incorporate information from tours of local
facilities. This paper will help you develop foundational knowledge for the paper to be
written in France, and will be submitted prior to departure (30% of grade).
This paper should be approximately 6-8 pages long (double-spaced), and is due on Friday,
April 14.

Paper on global or European issues faced in one industry in Europe. (25% of grade)
Using the same industry and business area/function as in the first paper, students will
explore in greater detail how the European company is dealing with the same or similar
issues you assessed from the US perspective. For example, if you examined rising costs of
medical care, the decline of industrial unions, and the increasing availability of low-cost
labor in developing nations as your key issues related to the US auto industry, you should
examine those same issues in the context of Porsche or DaimlerBenz in Germany. Are they
facing the same challenges managing human capital? Why or why not? Are they facing
additional challenges that US companies are not?
We will have access to computers and the Internet while in Strasbourg. However, it would
be to your advantage to plan ahead and conduct some of this research while still in
Potsdam. This will also allow you to craft questions to ask during the company visits to
obtain valuable information for your analysis.
This paper should be approximately 5-6 pages long (double-spaced) and is due on Saturday,
May 27 prior to our departure for Paris.

Short reflective essay on international experience. The final deliverable is a reflective
essay designed to help you think about the international experience and the impact is has
had on you as a student, as a person, and as a member of the global business community.
What have you learned? How have you changed? How will this international experience
affect how you approach business? (10% of grade)
This paper should be approximately 3 pages long (double-spaced, although depending on
computer facilities in Paris, it may need to be hand-written) and is due on May 30 before
your departure back to the US (or other travel pursuits).
Participation in class activities will also be considered in assigning the final grade. (15% of
grade). We expect that all students will participate fully in the seminar, both in activities prior to
departure (GM tour, class discussions and presentations, other orientation events) and in
activities in Europe (company visits, lectures, class discussions). To earn full credit for
participation, students must consistently:
 Be on time and ready for all events;
 Ask insightful, respectful questions on company tours and in classroom activities;
 Display a positive attitude;
 Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility should things not always go as planned.
Tentative Class Schedule
Dates and times may change as needed. We will give you as much notice as possible.
Date
Friday, January 27
Friday, March 3
12-4:30 pm
Friday, March 24
2-4 pm
Friday, March 31
2-4 pm
Wednesday, April 19
(tentative – time
TBA)
Friday, April 14
Friday, April 21
5-8 pm
Wednesday, May 17
Saturday, May 27
Tuesday, May 30
Event
Orientation Meeting – review
schedule, assignments, and
expectations
Tour of General Motors Powertrain
facility in Massena
First set of presentations
Second set of presentations
WalMart regional manager – guest
speaker
Deliverable
Complete pre-tour readings
Presentations and summary
handouts, Group 1
Presentations and summary
handouts, Group 2
Complete readings
Paper #1 due
Orientation meeting at the Outdoor
Lodge – basic language skills
Arrive in Frankfurt in morning; travel
to Strasbourg as a group
Travel from Strasbourg to Paris
Program Completion
Paper #2 due
Reflective essay due