THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Business Administration
MGT 301-02 – Introduction to International Business
Course Syllabus – Fall 2007
(Aug 20 – Dec 7)
Professor:
Office:
Phone:
e-mail:
Office Hours:
Mr. Ron Abernathy
Room 348, Bryan Building
(336) 334.3093
rraberna@uncg.edu
by appointment
Prerequisites: - Economics 300 or permission of academic advisor
- Admission into an approved program
NOTE: Certain topics and course content appear in both the ECO 300 and MGT 301 syllabi.
This replication of topics is meant to build your knowledge, understanding, and analysis of
global issues facing economic policy makers in ECO 300 and business managers in MGT
301.
Course Textbook: International Business (Theory and Practice), Ajami/Goddard/Khambata
- the class textbook can be bought at the University Bookstore.
- note that course assignments will be posted through your “Blackboard” account here
at UNCG, available at http://blackboard.uncg.edu
Course Description
The Introduction to International Business course is designed to assist students in
understanding the global environment in which international business takes please, as
well as the role and behavior of the international firm as it responds to the environment.
This course aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills and sensitivities that help
them manage business operations more proactively in the turbulent international
environment. This will be achieved through lectures, class discussions and cases.
Because this course is a combination of lectures and business cases, strong student
participation in the class is required.
Course Philosophy
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The ongoing globalization of industries and the deepening interdependence of national
economies will continue to have a strong influence on the fortunes of nations, industries,
firms, and individuals. As part of these ongoing changes, competitive opportunities and
threats have increasingly come from outside of one's home country. As well, it has
become routine for managers at all levels, worldwide, to need to find ways to work with
people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
These changes place new and more challenging requirements on present and future
managers. For example, it is becoming more important for managers to have a basic
understanding of the structure of the global economy in which they operate, not just of
their country of origin. Also, with the greater freedom firms now have to sell, invest, and
operate around the globe comes the need to understand how to assess the stability and
growth prospects of individual nations and their markets.
In short, knowledge about how nations, firms, and individuals can address the issues
raised by globalization have arguably become part of the "essential equipment" every
manager cannot afford to be without. Knowledge about how to conduct business with
people from numerous cultural backgrounds is just as vital.
Course Learning Objectives
1. Define international business and discuss how it differs from domestic
business
2. Define and discuss key terms and concepts related to international business.
3. Acquire a basic understanding of the structure of the global economy and the
perspectives of various actors in the global economy.
4. Make well-reasoned suggestions about how to address many of the
challenges and opportunities likely to within in international business setting.
For example students would be expected to knowledgeably discuss the pros
and cons of particular ways of entering national markets, of managing foreign
exchange risk, and of selecting members for cross- cultural teams. Other
issues students will be expected to learn about are outlined in this syllabus
and will be addressed as the course progresses.
5. Knowledgeably discuss some of the key public policy, ethical and
environmental issues that are typically connected to international business.
6. Students should be able to discuss the challenges that third world countries
have in participating in world trade, and the different perspectives that exist
with regard to intellectual property rights and the third world.
ATTENDANCE POLICY

The UNC-G Honor Code is strongly supported. Class attendance is required.
An absence is excused if you have a note from a doctor or if you cash in your
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“Get Out of Jail Free” card (see below). If your absence is excused, we will
make arrangements to make up any in-class work or exams, and we will
decide when and how you will submit any homework that was due during your
absence, with no penalty assessed.
“Get Out of Jail Free” Cards: Rather than try to judge the veracity of every
reason for any student’s absence, I will give each of you one (and only one) of
these cards. If and when you choose to cash it in, your absence is excused.
No, there is no extra credit at the end of the term for not using your GOOJF
card!
You may be put on probation after your 3rd absence, and administratively
withdrawn from class after your 4th absence.
If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes from
one of your peers.
No late work or make-ups will be accepted.
Expectations of Students
Your attention to: http://www.uncg.edu/bae/currstudents.html is vital in understanding UNCG
student guidelines and expectations. Please take time to review.
Grading
There will be two exams and one major written assignment in this course. The midterm
and final exams will be administered during the designated dates and will be previewed in
class.
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Team Research Paper
Class participation
94-100 =
77-79 =
A
C+
30%
30%
25%
15% (this includes current event discussions/homework)
90-93 =
73-76 =
AC
87-89 = B+
70-72 = C-
83-86 = B
60-69 = D+
80-82 = B<60 = F
Any conflicts/concerns should be addressed privately with me in a timely fashion.
Assigned Case Studies
You will note that there are various case studies assigned for reading on the syllabus. You will be
responsible for writing a one-page reaction paper for each case. This will be for turn-in. Will be
further discussed the first class.
Research Paper/Presentation
International business contains a wealth of topics from which to choose. The roadmap for
your team paper will be addressed separately. Papers will be graded on the thoughtfulness
of the content, and the rationality of the analysis.
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Each team will be responsible for a brief presentation of their paper to the class. Each
presentation is limited to five minutes in length per team. This will take place on
December 3 – possibly sooner. Remember to always quote your sources!!
Countries will be pre-assigned and will also be your area of research for the weekly
current events. The objective of this paper is to explain important considerations that
foreigner business folks should keep in mind when seeking to do business in that country –
demographics, market characteristics, economic growth prospects/stability, business
culture, key features of the political/legal system, trade policies, etc.).
More specifics will be covered regarding topics/content for the papers/presentation as we
proceed thru the course.
CURRENT EVENTS
The class will be divided into teams. Each team will be responsible for two current event
articles each week (less mid-term and final weeks and will follow the same country and/or
product sector for the duration of the class. Sources for the articles should include (but
not be limited to):
“The Economist”
“Harvard Business Review”
“Wall Street Journal”
“The Financial Times”
“Business Week”
Articles are not to be more than ten days old and must be related to international business
within your target country. Each team will have full participation in presenting the articles
to the class. You will present one positive article related to international business in your
country and, one negative article. Your verbal presentation will be very abridged. Industry
sectors for focus include (but are not limited to): medical devices, pharmaceutical,
electronics, entertainment, auto parts suppliers, banking, furniture, textiles, computers,
appliances, automobile, photo imaging, consulting services, food service and steel.
This will be discussed the first week.
Class Procedures
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The content of this course will be conveyed through a mix of lectures, discussions,
videos and case studies. Students are expected to knowledgeably discuss the assigned
readings and to raise any questions which may surface within the readings. The focus
should be issues, trends and relationships, rather than on memorizing definitions and
statistics.
We will also discuss applicable current events in class as students will be required to
periodically research and report such back to the class. This will also be covered in the
first session. As this class runs for about 2 ½ hours, there will be a mid-point break to
refresh and re-group. You are responsible for all material highlighted in the schedule.
Syllabus is subject to change. This is our roadmap and weekly organizer for the course.
However, due to unexpected or unplanned events the syllabus may be revised upon my
discretion. Please make note of these changes, if needed.
Course Roadmap and Key Dates:
AUG 20
Introduction/Syllabus Review/Research Papers
Chapter 1 – Intro to Intl Business and MNCs
►What is international business
►The MNC
►Increased Competition
Case Study - Transworld Minerals
AUG 27
Chapter 2 - The Nature of Intl Business
►Methods of going international
►Protectionism/tariffs
►Cartels
Case Study – Electronics International Ltd
SEP 3
SEP 10
LABOR DAY
Chapter 3 – Theories of Trade and Economic Development
►Intro to trade theories
►Patterns of world development
Chapter 4 - IMS and Balance of Payments
►Currencies
►IMF
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►Balance of Payments
Case Study – Masawa
SEP 17
Chapter 5 - Foreign Exchange Markets
►Forecasting Strategies
Chapter 6 - Supranational Organizations and International Business
►Structured Organizations
►Financial Organizations
Case Study – Chemtech
SEP 24
Case Study – Mazuwa
Abstracts for papers discussed
OCT 1
Chapter 7 - Analyzing National Economies
►Market Research and Analyses
Chapter 8 - International Law
►Areas of Concern
►IPR
►Resolving Conflicts
OCT 8
MID TERM
Chapter 9 - Sociocultural Factors
►Elements of Culture
►Culture Theories
OCT 12-16
OCT 22
FALL BREAK
Negotiations
Chapter 11 – International Marketing
►Product/Pricing/Placement Decisions
Case Study – Euromanage
OCT 29
Chapters 12, 13, 14
International Finance, Accounting & Taxation
►Financial Structure of MNC
►Accounting Issues
►Problems in International Taxation
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NOV 5
Chapter 15 – International Staffing and Labor Issues
►MNC Organization
►Ethical Issues
►International Labor Issues
Case Studies – Remagen and Air America
NOV 12
Chapter 16 – Managing Operations and Technology
►Production/Operations Management
►IT
Case Studies – Milford and ICB
NOV 19
Chapter 17 – Ethical Questions
►MNC Responses to Environmental Issues
►Opportunities
Case Study – Alapco
NOV 26
Chapter 18 – Future Issues
►Future Trends Affecting International Business
►Impact of Trends on MNCs
Recap
DEC 3
PAPERS DUE/PRESENTATIONS/FINAL EXAM
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