MEMO & BA 590 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SYLLABUS Fall 2011
TO:
BA 590 STUDENTS
FROM:
DR. PAT BORSTORFF pborstor@jsu.edu or (256) 782-5748
SUBJECT:
WELCOME
Welcome to BA 590 International Business. This will be a labor-intensive class with
a heavy requirement of reading and writing. Please note that you have a graded
assignment for our first week.
For the first week of class, you need to have read the first two chapters in the
textbook: Wild and Wild and Han. International Business: the Challenges of
Globalization. 6th edition. Pearson-Prentice-Hall publishing, 2012, ISBN 13-978-0-13255575-3.You will need to have read and prepared one article for the first discussion
board. You may find these articles at web sites or journals of your choosing (article
length should be at least 6-8 pages in a scholarly refereed journal). You will be expected
to summarize your article on the first discussion board for a participation grade. Your
summary should begin with your name and be: at least 12 font, short (maybe 8-10
sentences) with the name of the authors, name of article, journal, volume number, and
page numbers at TOP of summary. A complete bibliographic entry is important. Without
it, you will lose points on your participation grade. The quality of your article and the
quality of your summary are part of your participation grade. In the summary, tell us
what is important and how it relates to international business. (We want to learn from
you).
To find articles: Go to the JSU home page. Click on “Library;” then “Find Articles
and data bases; then Full Text. There are many data bases to use. Good ones to use
are: “Business Index ASAP;” Business source Premier;” “Business Full Text”;
“Emerald Full Text; CQ Researcher; Wall Street Journal, and Alabama Virtual
Library.” Use full text articles so you can either copy or send to your email address.
Under the FAQ section is a definition of a ‘scholarly refereed article.’
The primary emphases of the course are on increasing your proficiency in
international business as well as understanding successful international business
practices. The course is designed to investigate the current environment in which
business must operate and to develop an understanding of what we face. I expect
that students will do most of the discussion on the Discussion Boards while the
professor will act as a facilitator.
Your syllabus follows. Please realize that your participation grade is received
through your active participation on the Discussion Boards each week. If you do not
read quality articles and the book, and then make insightful comments on the
Discussion Boards, you may receive a zero for participation that week. Since there
are few Discussion Boards (7) for your participation, you need to be prepared each
week.
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SYLLABUS Fall, 2011 BA 590 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Patricia Borstorff
OFFICE:
217-E Merrill Building
PHONE:
(256) 782-5748; E-mail pborstor@jsu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: BY APPT
Internet
http://jsu.blackboard.edu – virtual classroom; ** All information
connected with this class is online: power point, discussion files, my comments on
various topics, and material for you to read. You will upload your assignments to the
appropriate place on Blackboard (ex: assignment outline would go to “outline
assignment”. LIVE 24/7 Blackboard Support @ JSUbbsupport.com
Course Objectives
In the 21st century we are seeing important trends and developments which are impacting
international business. For example, significant economic and political changes are taking
place in Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC countries). Some of the more developed
countries such as the US, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the UK are dealing with
severe recessions, high unemployment, inflation worries, bankruptcies, and business
closings. China has posted a 10% growth in GNP per year for 30 years ending in 2008.
Then their GDP rate has been 8-9% while the US has a 1% projected growth rate this
year. The credit rating agency, Standard and Poor’s, downgraded the US’s rating for the
first time since the U.S. won its top rating in 1917. The economic situation in Greece,
Ireland, Spain, and Portugal is abysmal. Germany is trying to bail out countries in the UE
who do not want to be more fiscally responsible. These events point out our need to
understand the challenges, opportunities, and risks facing multinational enterprises as
they struggle to be successful.
In our quest to be prepared, we will study international finance and cross cultural
marketing. We will follow the foreign exchange market vis-à-vis the US$ during the
semester. We will examine important trends impacting international business as well as
the major and developing players in the international economy. We’ll examine the
“stage” on which international business is conducted, which includes ethical, cultural,
political and legal systems as a backdrop. The focus will also be on how firms develop
and execute their international strategies, and how they stay ahead of competitors. At the
end, we’ll study how firms can build an outstanding international workforce (which
includes selecting and motivating employees as well as dealing with a host of related
human resource management issues. In covering these topics, this course will:




Help students evaluate theories, concepts, and cutting-edge developments
in the field of international business.
Help students understand how those theories, concepts, and developments
can be used to help diagnose and solve problems in international business.
Increase students’ awareness of the challenges associated with
international business in particular countries and regions.
Increase students’ self-awareness, especially about their own cultural
values and perspectives as they relate to international business.
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To accomplish course goals, the bulk of our time will be spent on discussion of articles,
chapters, and discussion questions. As a result, it’s critical that you are present, prepared
and ready to participate each week. Reading the text and other assigned readings are
your fundamental sources of knowledge about international business.
Required Text
Wild, Wild, and Han. International Business: Challenges of Globalization. 6th edition.
Pearson-Prentice-Hall publishing, 2012, ISBN ISBN 13-978-0-13-255575-3. This is a
paperback book. A digital book is available at www.coursesmart.com. You also might
check the reduced priced books at Yahoo and www.half.com.
Course Requirements
1. All reading assignments in the textbook and the articles. Please be
prepared each week for our class. The class requires quality and weekly
participation. Being prepared will allow you to ask better questions, offer
better observations, and generally benefit from what happens in class.
2. Research paper with primary research (11-12 pages). The research paper
is designed to assist you in learning how to research an international topic that
will increase your understanding of the global competition facing us and how
to find quality information.
3. Final Exam
4. Significant, quality participation on class discussion boards.
Class Policies
You are responsible for all announcements. Check the Blackboard
support system for this class often. Have your email to forward JSU
emails so that you are available to our class.
Academic dishonesty in all forms will be dealt with swiftly and
severely. That includes all forms of cheating, plagiarism, and
collaboration on individual papers. Your paper will be reviewed using
Safe Assign for possible plagiarism. The minimum penalty will be an “F”
for the course and possible expulsion from the graduate program and JSU.
Grades
The grade distribution is as follows:
Final Examination
Class Participation/ Assignments
Research Report/References/Outline
Total points possible
A = 300 - 270; B = 269 - 240; C = 239 - 210; F = below 210
Article summaries on the discussion board:
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100 points
100 points
100 points
300 points
Your post on the various discussion boards can be strengthened with a very short article
summary (8-10 sentences). Relate your article to the questions being discussed that week.
When you use an article, include the name of article, author, journal, and date. You need
three (3) article summaries during the semester on three different Discussion Boards.
Student discussion board participation and article quality will be evaluated by the
professor. Evaluation considerations will include (but not be limited to) a demonstrated
understanding of the course material through active participation in all class discussions.
Class participation will constitute 33% of the final course grade. You should be fully
prepared to discuss the assignments. Participate on the discussion boards. Offer your
opinions to postings plus post relevant web links when you find them. When posting your
analysis, please make it a coherent discussion. Don’t think posting one sentence on all
discussion questions would be adequate; for example, don’t write ‘I agree” as one’s post.
As you read your colleagues postings, you probably will find discussions where you
would respond.
Research Report (analytical, not descriptive): 11-12 pages in text of paper
A major part of the course consists of writing a report following all appropriate report
rules and format. The report is to contain both primary and secondary research. It must be
free of grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors; otherwise a heavy penalty will be
incurred (i.e., a minimum of 10 points for 1-2 spelling errors). It is extremely important
that the report be done according to instructions. Form and format will be a major part of
grading criteria as well as content and proper presentation of information according to the
requirements of an analytical business report.
The information provided here is cursory. Please refer to the Word file on Research
Reports on Blackboard.
Students are strongly encouraged to select a topic that interests them. Before students
begin actual research, I must approve your report topic. Students must choose research
paper topics by September 13. The report is due November 8.
Papers should build toward a conclusion of managerial implications. They may describe
issues and practices but must have an implication section in which the student synthesizes
the literature and reaches conclusions on how to apply the results of his or her research.
Use scholarly refereed journal articles for the foundation of your paper. Practitioneroriented journals and Internet sites can be used also. It is required that you also use
primary sources such as a questionnaire or multiple interviews with professionals in the
field. Identify your primary interview sources in the reference section (i.e., person’s title,
company, telephone number). When relying on information found on the World Wide
Web, be certain of its quality and value. A minimum of eight (8) professional scholarly,
refereed research journals or research-based publications is required as source material.
You will need 12 articles minimum; therefore, you can use several practitioner-oriented
journals or web sites.
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Papers should be properly documented according to the American Psychological
Association (APA) style. (This is a convenient referencing style that does not use
footnotes). See APA file on Blackboard. Papers should be well written and carefully
organized. The organization of papers benefits from the use of headings. Your research
paper should be 11-12 double-spaced pages excluding the list of references. The
reference list should be single-spaced except to double space between entries. Do NOT
use books as references.
Spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraph structure, grammar, and overall
readability of the paper will be MAJOR factors in the grading criteria. Your paper should
reflect your status as a graduate student pursuing a MBA or MPA. Do not use Wikipedia.
SCHEDULE (tentative): BA 590 International Business
I am choosing Tuesday as the ‘class day’. So discussion boards will
open and close on Tuesdays.
Aug 30
Introduction: Take time to check out the files on Blackboard. Also
post something about yourself on the “Bio” discussion board (where
you work, your background, your family, your hobbies, any
connection to international business, etc…whatever you want).
Week 1
Sept 6
Chapter 1 Global Business Environment
Chapter 2 Cross-Cultural Business
Post your bio to the “Bio Discussion Board.”
Post your discussion of a question plus your article summary chosen from the Discussion
Board questions file to Discussion Board 1. (This covers ch 1 and ch 2 and the first two
weeks of class.) This board closes Sept 13.
Week 2
Sept 13
Chapter 3 Politics, Law and Business Ethics
*** Research topic chosen and accepted by professor ***
You need to email me your topic ideas. Please spend time to find the
right topic for you. This is one-third of your grade. You will perform
your best work when you choose a topic that is important to you.
(Email subject line would be ‘your name and topic’).
Week 3
Sept 20
Chapter 4 Economics and Emerging Markets
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 2. (This covers ch 3 and ch 4 and weeks 3 and 4 of class.) This
board closes Sept 27.
Week 4
Chapter 5 International Trade
Sept 27
Chapter 6 Business-Government-Trade Relations
Week 5
Chapter 7 Foreign Direct Investment
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Oct 4
Articles evaluated for your research paper by professor – You will
need to type your reference page. This will be used in your paper.
Give complete information on your articles. Place on a ‘References”
page. The articles are to be alphabetized by last name of first author.
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 3. (This covers ch 5, 6, and 7 and weeks 4 and 5 of class.) This
board closes Oct 11.
Week 6
Oct 11
Chapter 8 Regional Economic Integration
Week 7
Oct 18
Chapter 9 International Financial Markets
Outline evaluated – Email your outline with subject line “Outline of
your first and last name”
The outline should be as complete as you can make it. I can only give
assistance if there is something for me to evaluate. So please, no
outlines that are “intro, body of paper, recommendations and
conclusions”!
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 4. (This covers ch 8 and ch 9 and weeks 6 and 7 of class.) This
board closes Oct 25.
Week 8
Oct 25
Chapter 10 International Monetary Systems
Week 9
Nov 1
Chapter 12 Analyzing International Opportunities
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 5. (This covers ch 10 and 12 and weeks 8 and 9 of class.) This
board closes Nov 8.
Week 10
Nov 8
***** Research paper due *****
Chapter 13 Selecting and Managing Entry Modes
Week 11
Nov 15
Chapter 14 Developing and Marketing Products
Final exam will be posted.
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 6. (This covers ch 13 and 14 and weeks 10 and 11 of class.) This
board closes Nov 22.
Week 12
Nov 22
Chapter 15 Managing International Operations
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Nov 24
Thanksgiving
Week 13
Nov 29
Chapter 16 Hiring and Managing Employees
Post your discussion of various questions chosen from the Discussion Board questions
file to Discussion Board 7. (This covers ch 15 and 16 and weeks 12 and 13 of class.) This
board closes Dec 2.
Dec 3-4
Academic Preparation Weekend
Dec 6
FINAL-EXAM due by 8 p.m. Email your exam with subject line of
“Your name-Final Exam”
Discussion Board
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Chapters
1-2
3-4
5-7
8-9
10,12
13-14
15-16
Date Open
Aug 26
Sept 13
Sept 27
Oct 11
Oct 25
Nov 8
Nov 22
Date Closed
Sept 13
Sept 27
Oct 11
Oct 25
Nov 8
Nov 22
Dec 2 * abbreviated
Research Papers
When choosing a topic, choose something that would help you at your workplace or
something that you are interested in. You will have much greater success with
something of personal interest and benefit.
Possible topics for your research paper:
Financial crisis in Portugal, Ireland, Greece, or Spain
Recession and international trade
Choose an African country and perform a market assessment and analysis
Look at Caribbean nations and investigate what is happening there…trade, political, legal
Water shortfall in world and ways to solve the problem
Economic situation in Cuba-Could we trade there?
Movement from controlled to market economy in Russia (& American attitudes)
Movement from controlled to market economy in Vietnam (& American attitudes)
Movement from controlled to market economy in China (& American attitudes)
China and US and global trade and problems
E-learning, e-training, E-Commerce and International Business
E-recruitment-differences in the international market
Global Outsourcing
Ethics and Trust in E-Business
Virtual Teams
Brazil’s government relation with business – market assessment and analysis
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Privacy Issues and International Management
Globalization and its impact on the US
Dealing with the Hispanic Workforce
Dual Career Couples and Relocation or Spousal Support and Relocation
Religious Diversity in the Workplace-new religions, initiatives for understanding
Expatriate Work Force: Problems and Solutions www.shrmglobal.org
H1-B Visas and Recruiting Workers from Overseas (Inpats)
Immigration Issues: in the US or in Other Countries
Food and Water Crisis: Issues of Hunger and War
Africa: Look at war/famine/dictators/oil (curse or blessing)
Check out international web sites and your textbook for ideas for your paper.
* Remember to chose something that interest you and will help you in your career. I am
open to many topics. The above are offered to help you think of a topic.
*****CASE WRITING If you are currently employed at a company, you may write a
case about an international situation and how it was resolved at your company. I will
furnish you a Case notes handout for guidance.
*Check the file of Topics for Fall 2011 for additional suggestions.*
ACADEMIC SCHOLARLY REFEREED ACADEMIC JOURNALS
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES (#!)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF E-COMMERCE, STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
JOURNAL
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT REVIEW, ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE QUARTERLY
BUSINESS HORIZONS, CALIFORNIA MANAGEMENT REVIEW
COLUMBIA JOURNAL OF WORLD BUSINESS, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STRATEGY, ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, JOURNAL OF APPLIED BEHAVIORAL
SCIENCE; JOURNAL OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES,
JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT, JOURNAL OF FINANCE, JOURNAL OF
MARKETING; JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES.
Watch using journals that are very narrow in focus; example: Arabian Accounting
Review.
Useful Web Resources & Periodicals for International Business
See Word document on External Links at Blackboard site for additional URLs.
Michigan State University has online global business resources and links including
country profiles that outline business climate, political structure, history, and statistical
data for more than 190 countries. Includes regional and country specific links in addition
to a general overview of each geographic area http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp
*** You may subscribe free to this site to receive excellent international information.
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Business Week Online Magazine with headlines on global business and international
issues http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/
The Economist Online Magazine: https://www.economist.com/world/index.cfm
Global Business Web: http://www.globalbusinessweb.com/
The Globalist, covers political, economic, cultural, and business issues related to
globalization: http://www.theglobalist.com/
Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/
Newsweek International Edition: www.msnbc.com/news/nw-ni_front.asp
International Herald Tribune: www.iht.com/
World Trade Organization: http://www.wto.org/
Doing business with Mexico: http://www.mexonline.com
Sponsored by Shell International, this web site offers information for expatriates and
their families around the world: http://www.outpostexpat.nl/
World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/
Import/Export Bank: http://www.exim.gov/
http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/resources/expanding/global/countries
Maquiladoras: http://www.maquilamarket.com
Latin Trade Magazine: http://www.latintrade.com
Forbes News: www.forbes.com/international/
CIO Web Business Magazine: www.cio.com
http://www.csupomona.edu/~pgrogers/gba620/syllabus.html
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/
E-Commerce Times
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
CIA World Fact Book
http://www.usa.gov/ USA.gov Government Made Easy
http://globaledge.msu.edu/resourceDesk/
Global Edge Global Resources
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http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=stats Click Easy Stats
http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=features
http://www.nytimes.com/
Click Z Features
New York Times
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/home.aspx
The McKinsey Quarterly; For industry and topic specific information.
http://knowledge.insead.edu/home.cfm
INSEAD Knowledge; A more public spirited source of information than McKinsey
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/
Wharton; A favorite business source
http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/hbsp/index.jsp;jsessionid=J4M3NEQL0Q
GD2AKRGWCB5VQBKE0YOISW?_requestid=35110
Harvard Business source
http://www.fastcompany.com/guides/
Fast Company; Tech focused
http://ec.europa.eu/euro/entry.html
Euro web site
http://www.grai.com/links.htm
100 main web links
http://www.tcnj.edu/~schlesi3/importance_of_international_stud.htm
Economic Outlook: Euro Monitor www.euromonitor.com
International Trade Administration site on the Internet (www.ita.doc.gov)
U.S. Exports of Merchandise on the National Trade Data Bank
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services (FT900) by the Department of
Commerce; Annual Worldwide Industry Reviews and International Market Research
Reports prepared by various U.S. embassies
For Blackboard issues:
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These are quite good and guide you through the various areas of Blackboard.
Unethical conduct:
Unethical conduct will be penalized with prejudice. I will take whatever action I deem
appropriate under the circumstances. For example, a grade of zero is an appropriate score
for a plagiarized assignment. The students who have received this grade are also reported
to appropriate University Offices for other action that those bodies deemed necessary.
To avoid confusion, unethical behavior within the academic setting is defined below.
Any information that is obtained from a secondary source (including the textbooks) and
used within your answers MUST BE CITED. Work that is identical to other published
sources (including the Internet) or between two or more students is considered
plagiarism. Plagiarism is the representation of the work of others as one's own without
proper acknowledgment of the source. The only exceptions to the requirement that
sources be acknowledged occur when the information, ideas, etc., are common
knowledge (e.g. Water freezes at 32o F). Plagiarism includes submitting someone else’s
work. This includes the use of figures, graphs, charts, or other such material obtained
from books, articles, or the Internet.
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