MGMT 580 Fall 2013 Reading Assignments
8/29
Chapter 1 text (pp. 1-13):
1) What are the characteristics of a multi-national enterprise?
2) Describe the components of Vernon's life-cycle theory
3) What are some prerequisites for internationalization?
Reading 1-2: Ghemewat (Distance still matters):
1) Does 'distance' still matter in international business, and if so, how?
2) What are the 4 dimensions of distance?
Case: Acer
1) What factors explain why Acer has out-performed other Taiwanese PC companies?
2) Why did Acer's profitability fall in the 1980s? What lessons from this experience could be
relevant now?
3) What action would you take on the Aspire product? Should it be approved for continued
development? Who should lead the project? Should Aspire be a global product?
9/5
Chapter 2 text questions (pp. 87-100)
1) What are the forces for global integration and coordination?
2) Forces for local differentiation and responsiveness?
3) What are the 4 types of global industries?
Reading 2-2: Clusters and the new economics of competition
1) What is a "cluster"? How do they affect competition?
2) What are some threats to cluster surivival?
3) Strategic implications of clusters?
Case: Globalization of Cemex
1) How has CEMEX performed compared to other leading global competitors in the cement
industry? Focus on comparing CEMEX with Holderbank.
2) What accounts for the sequence in which CEMEX has entered foreign markets? How do
recently entered markets compare with ones they entered early on?
3) What recommendations do you make to CEMEX regarding globalization strategy moving
forward? What kinds of countries should it expand in?
9/12
Chapter 3 text questions
1) What 3 strategic goals do all multinational firms have?
2) What are the 3 basic means of achieving them?
3) What kinds of strategic options do firms have?
Reading 3-1: Managing Differences
1) What two assumptions do most businesses make about global strategy?
2) What are the components of the “AAA Triangle” strategic model? What organizational types
are they associated with?
3) What is the “elusive trifecta”?
Case: Stella Artois
1) Should Stella be marketed as a global brand?
2) If so, is it wise to focus on cities?
3) How can the internet be leveraged?
9/26
Chapter 4 text questions:
1) What is the Stopford and Wells international structural stages model?
2) What is a firm’s “administrative heritage”?
3) What are the components of a transnational structure?
Reading 4-1: Organizing for an Emerging World
1) Why do organizations become more difficult to manage as they expand?
2) How can expanding or already-globalized firms be restructured to be more effective?
3) What role does communication play in restructuring?
Case: Philips vs. Matsushita
1) How did Philips become a successful MNE? What were the distinctive competencies?
2) What strengths allowed Matsushita to overtake Philips? What challenges does it face?
3) Why has change been so hard for each?
10/3
Chapter 5 text questions:
1) Describe the traditional and transnational approaches to knowledge management.
2) Describe issues/problems for the “center for global” and “local for local” approaches.
3) What are market and technological knowledge, and how are they related?
Reading 5-1: Building effective R&D capabilities abroad
1) Traditionally, R&D programs have been centralized at corporate HQ. Why is that changing?
2) What are the different types of R&D facilities?
3) What skills should the leaders of these facilities possess?
Case: P&G Japan
1) Does SK-II have the potential to become a global brand within P&G's worldwide operations?
Why or why not?
2) Which of the 3 market options should Paolo DeCesare recommend to the GLT? What are the
expected benefits and risks?
3) How should he implement your recommended option?
10/10
Chapter 6 text questions
1) Why might global companies form strategic alliances?
2) Risks/costs of doing so?
Reading 6-1: Design and management of JVs
1) What are the possible reasons for using a joint-venture strategy?
2) What are the requirements for a successful JV?
Case: Eli Lilly
1) What was Eli Lilly’s motivation to form an Indian joint venture?
2) What was Ranbaxy’s motivation?
3) Why are each of them considering ending the JV?
10/31
Chapter 7 text questions
1) What are the 3 key management groups in a global firm?
2) What are the responsibilities of Top Management?
Reading 7-3: Collaboration Imperative
1) How does collaboration differ from teamwork?
2) What are some key collaborative competencies?
3) What are some guidelines for successful collaboration?
Case: Levendary Café in China
1) Describe Levendary’s foundations in terms of mission and structure.
2) Why is Levendary considering an expansion to China (opportunities)?
3) What are the key challenges it faces in China?
4) Is Chen the right person to lead the China initiative?
11/14
Chapter 8 text questions
1) What are the 4 possible ethical postures for an MNE?
2) Which is best?
Reading 8-2: Serving the world’s poor
1) How does global prosperity and security depend on meeting the needs of poor people?
2) How can meeting the needs of the poor be profitable? What obstacles stand in the way?
Case: IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge
1) What are IKEA’s global sourcing principles?
2) What are the positive and negative aspects of sourcing rugs from India?
3) What should IKEA do about the negative aspects?