BUINB-367-001
International Management
01/03/2011 - 01/21/2011
Instructor
Office
Office Hours
Phone
E-mail
Prof. Abel Adekola, DBA
232 Tech Wing
Online
715-232-1111
adekola@uwstout.edu
Course Background and Objectives
A significant number of organizations now perform an increasing proportion of their business
activities outside their home countries. This, coupled with the growing interdependence of
economic and political systems and the increase in international competitive interactions, has
generated the need to view the international environment of business and Management from an
international, intra-national and global, perspective.
Operating in a global, rather than a domestic environment, creates for each organization a new
and significantly more complex set of challenges. When an organization expands across
national boundaries it often faces conflicting patterns of demands and expectations. Consumer
preferences are more diverse. Financial management is significantly more complex due to
fluctuations in exchange rates. Governmental policies and regulations cease to be relatively
consistent predictable. Union demands and human resources management strategies may vary
from national context to national context. Organizational structures tend to become more
complex due to geographical diversity, distance, time, language and culture. And then there are
the inherent difficulties of operating in countries with different legal ideological, cultural and
economic systems.
Moving beyond national boundaries requires the development and implementation of a global
strategy to achieve competitive costs, market penetration and effective resource allocation.
The course focuses upon management strategies as opposed to enterprise functions (Finance,
Marketing, Accounting, Management Information Systems, etc.). Emphasis will be on
management functions (organizing, controlling, and decision-making process) as perceived and
implemented within multinational corporations, which are significantly different from those
prevalent in purely domestic organizations.
We will view "international management" as something different than "international business."
We will not, for example, be covering international finance or cross-border marketing. That
said, we will examine important trends impacting international business as well as the major and
developing players in the international economy. In covering these topics, this course will:

evaluate theories, concepts, and cutting-edge developments in the field of
international management environments.

analyze how those theories, concepts, and developments can be used to help
diagnose and solve problems in international management.

Increase your awareness of the challenges associated with international
management in particular countries and regions.

Increase your self-awareness, especially about your own cultural values and
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perspectives as they relate to international business environment.
What Will Happen in the Course
Throughout the Winterm, a mixture of things will happen in course. As a result, it is critical that
you read the text and other assigned readings which are your fundamental sources of
understanding the international environment of firms and management.
Required Readings
Adekola, A & Sergi, B (2007) Global Business Management: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Hampshire, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited
A variety of handouts will also be assigned to be read.
Course Requirements
Please pay specific attention to the following instructions:
1. Five Quizzes This is a multiple choice/TF quizzes (20 points each) you need to take
the quizzes at the designated time of 6pm -6:30 pm ONLY.
2. Midterm Examination This is a multiple choice examination. You need to take the
3.
quizzes at the designated time of 6pm -6:40 pm ONLY.
Final Examination This is a combination of multiple choice and short essay
examination. You need to take the quizzes at the designated time of 6pm -6:40
pm ONLY.
4. Group case write ups
Case write ups are designed to illustrate how various ideas and concepts presented in
the assigned readings can be used to address international management problems.
Please pay specific attention to these General Guidelines for Case Write-ups &
Submissions:
Each group must analyze 2 cases by choosing any two from cases 4-8.
Cases 2 & 3 are analyzed as examples for your perusals only and not to be
analyzed. Also note that there is no Case 1 in the lineup. Case write-ups must be
prepared by each group and directly answer all of the specific questions relating to the
assigned cases.
*One Submission per group in the drop box-You should designate a group
member to submit your two chosen analyzed cases.
Before answering the case questions, please address the followings:
 Focus Objectives
 Case Setting
 Major players-organizations and People
 Key Terms
 Then answer the case questions.
Note for Group Assignment: After couple of warnings and after being brought to my attention,
you could fire a group member that fails to meaningfully participate in the case or the group
project. In such a situation, you should not include such group member’s name in your
submission(s).
Grades will be based on a 200-point system
2
5 Quizzes (20 points each)
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
2 Group case write-ups
100
20
30
50
50%
10%
15%
25%
Total Possible:
200 pts
100%
Course Policies
Academic dishonesty in all forms will be dealt with swiftly and severely. That includes all
forms of cheating, plagiarism, and collaboration on quizzes and exams. The minimum
penalty will be an “F” for the course.
My advice: Just do the work!
Grading Scale:
Grade Scale
A
94-100%
A-
90-93%
B+
86-89%
B
84-85%
B-
80-83%
C+
77-79%
C
74-76%
C-
70-73%
D+
66-69%
D
63-65%
D-
60-61%
F
below 60%
Definition of grades and workload expectations
A -- Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
B -- Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
C -- Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.
D -- Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course
requirements.
S -- Achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better (achievement required
for an S is at the discretion of the instructor but may be no lower than a C-).
F (or N) -- Represents failure (or no credit).
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WinterM 2011 COURSE SCHEDULE
MODULES
01/03 –
ACTIVITIES
Course overview - Global Business Trends & Fundamentals
01/04
Topic: Managing on a global stage: Chapter 1 Lecture
Chapter 1 Questions- Exercise
Topic: Changes and Growth in the International Marketplace – Chapter 2
Chapter 2 Questions Exercise
Quiz 1 – January 05 6: pm – 6:30 am
20 points
01/06
Topic: An Introduction to Multinational Enterprises – Chapter 3
Chapter 3 Questions Exercise
Case 2 – Chiba International, Inc
Sample_1
01/05
01/07
Topic: Impact of Economics and Monetary Framework - Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Questions Class Exercise
Case 3 – Grupo Financiero Inverlat
Sample_2
Quiz 2 – January 07
20 points
01/10
Topic: Impacts of Domestic Politics on International Business – Chapter 5
Chapter 5 Questions Exercise
Case 4 – Contract Negotiations in West Africa Due March 4
Topic: Culture Defined-Perceptions & attitudes across cultures – Chapter 8
Chapter 8 Questions Class-Exercise
Case 5 – Go Global-or No?
Quiz 3 – January 11
20 points
01/12
Topic: Impact of Culture on International Management – Chapter 9
Chapter 9 Questions Exercise
Case 6 – Trouble in Paradise
15 points
MIDTERM Examination January 12 on Chapters 1 – 5 and class discussions
01/11
01/13
Topic: Information Technology impact on International Management – Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Questions Exercise
Case 7 – The Case of the Floundering Expatriate
01/14 Topics: International Service Management –Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Questions Exercise
Case 8 - In a World of Pay
Quiz 4 – January 14
20 points
01/18 Topics: Cross Cultural Training and Expatriate Assignments – Chapter 10
International Development: Culture Knowledge & Chapter10QuestionsExercise
01/19 Lecture on Motivation & Leading Across Cultures
01/20
Quiz 5 – Jan 20
20 points
01/21
Final Examination
30
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