Syllabus for the course
GLOBAL BUSINESS STRATEGY
Course code:
IP 359
Course title in language of
instruction:
Global Business Strategy
Course title in Czech:
Course title in English:
Number of ECTS credits allocated:
Global Business Strategy
Global Business Strategy
3
Mode of delivery:
Mode of completion:
distance as semestral course
face–to–face; 0/26 (lectures per period / seminars per period) as
intensive course
graded course
Language of instruction:
Level of course and year of study:
Semester:
english
master (second cycle): 4
SS 2013/2014
Name of lecturer(s):
Prerequisites and co-requisites:
Ing. Ludmila Štěrbová, CSc. (supervisor)
none
Recommended optional
programme components:
Work placement:
none
none
Aims of the course:
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the policies, strategies and operations
of companies doing business internationally.The aim of this course is to enable students to identify global business
opportunities and develop global business plans and strategies. To this end the course utilizes Case Studies and
web based software named GMMSO (Global Marketing Management System Online, http://www.gmmso3.com )
as the basis of instruction along with targeted lectures on international business strategic planning. The course
is taught in English by Prof. Dr. Basil JANAVARAS from MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Mankato (MSU)www.janavaras.com.
Learning outcomes and competences:
Students completing the course should be able to:
1. Formulate international business strategies
2. Assess and evaluate the strategies of firms with international evolvement
3. Determine the impact environmental forces have on the strategies of the firm
4. Analyze and integrate the various international business management decisions
5. Apply integrative and critical thinking skills
6. Analyze global environmental forces that effect organizational success
7. Communicate effectively
Successful completion of the course requires integration of knowledge from this and other courses and bridges the
gap between theory and the real world of business by organizing learning around a key project that involves students
in problem-solving, decision making, and investigative activities. It provides students with the opportunity to work
relatively autonomously and in groups culminating in the production of realistic reports that integrate managerial realism into the classroom. Users are provided with helpful tools such as step-by-step instructions, user guide, targeted
internet resources, case examples and a glossary.
Course contents:
1. Introduction (lectures: 3, seminars: 3)
1
a) Overview of the GMMSO
b) Lecture: • Strategizing Around the Globe • Managing Industry Competition • Leveraging Resources &
Capabilities
c) Start working on the project proposal (Module 1.1-1.2) & the rest of module 1
2. Progress Report on and work on completing Module 1 & 2 (lectures: 3, seminars: 3)
a) a) Lecture: • Emphasizing Institutions, Cultures & Ethics • Growing & Internationalizing the Entrepreneurial
Firm • Entering Foreign Markets • Making Strategic Alliances & Networks Work • Managing Global Competitive Dynamics
b) GMMO: Work on Module 3
3. Progress Report on Modules 3 & work on completing modules 3, 4 (lectures: 3, seminars: 3)
a) Lecture: • Diversifying, Acquiring, & Restructuring • Strategizing, Structuring, & Learning Around the World
b) Governing the Corporation Around the World • Strategizing With Corporate Social Responsibility
c) Case Study: Sunflower Company: Adapting to Changing Market Conditions
d) Final Exam
4. Required Course Materials (lectures: 0, seminars: 0)
a) a) Textbook: Global Strategy by Mike W. Peng published by South-Western –CENGAGE Learning, 2009
(ISBN 13: 978-0-324-59099-9). You can order: Peng, Global Strategy, 2nd Edition from: Global Strategy, 2nd Edition ISBN-10: 0-324-59099-7; ISBN-13: 978-0-324-59099-9
b) Web Based Software: The Global Marketing Management System Online, http://www.gmmso3.com by
JAI, Inc. (http://www.janavaras.com)
5. Course Requirements:Examinations (100 points) (lectures: 0, seminars: 0)
a) a) The final exam will consist of essay questions and will cover the textbook, PPs and lectures. To assist
you focus and prepare to study for the final, study exam questions will be provided to you prior to the
exam.
6. Course Requirements: Group Case Studies and PP Presentations (lectures: 0, seminars: 0)
a) a) There will be one in-depth Group Case Study and the rest are individual ones consisting of a summary.
Each group will submit a written case analysis to the Instructor and present the same case in class.
The presentation should not take more than 20-25 minutes. Only the Group Case Study will be graded
but individual ones are required for this course. In analyzing the assigned case studies respond to the
questions at the end of each case. Use facts and figures from the case to support and defend your
answers. Be prepared to participate in the case analysis discussion in class.
b) b) NOTE on Cases: o On the title page of your case analysis includes the following: o Title of the Case
o Group # and Names of the Group Members o Date Submitted o In responding to the questions, number
and repeat each question before each answer. Cases are expected to be free of grammar and syntax
errors. Be concise and avoid unnecessary rhetoric. Group Cases should not be longer than 6 doublespaced pages, including the title page. Individual Cases should consist of a summary and should not
exceed two pages.
c) c) Grading Criteria for Cases The criteria to be used for grading the cases are as follows: • Coverage of
all areas. • Ability to identify, analyze and evaluate relevant information and data. • Ability to apply the
concepts and principles from the Global Strategy and other MBA courses. • Concise communications. •
Quality of responses to questions from the audience
7. Course Requirements: Global Marketing Management System Online (GMMSO) Group Project (lectures:
0, seminars: 0)
a) GMMSO guides students through a systematic and integrative process for gathering, evaluating and entering data for a chosen company into the GMMSO online system. In addition, GMMSO assists students
in making strategic marketing/management decisions about how to expand a company’s business internationally and how to develop an appropriate marketing plan. Students will also have the opportunity to
work relatively autonomously and develop their competencies in areas such as: 1) the ability to identify,
organize, plan and allocate resources, 2) interpersonal skills, 3) the ability to acquire and use information,
4) the ability to understand complex interrelationships, and 5) the ability to work with an internet based
software. The course instructor will assist students with the completion of the project by giving them
guidance, feedback, and by facilitating the problem solving and decision making process.
8. 8. GMMSO Software Registration: You must register individually PRIOR to the beginning of the first
class meeting in order to use the GMMO. To register and to begin working on the class project do the
following: (lectures: 0, seminars: 0)
a) 1. Enter: http://www.gmmso3.com . Click on Student, enter your Purchase Code (A Purchase Code will
be provided by AUEB), complete the Registration Form (Institution: University of Economics, Prague, Instructor: Basil Janavaras, Course name: Global Business Strategy, Section 13) and click Submit. You will
2
b)
c)
d)
e)
be able to access the system using your username and password after you have successfully completed
your registration and the Group site (after project groups are formed) using the same access code. If you
have any registration related problems, e-mail me at basilj@janavaras.com
2. Group Assignment: After you register, you will be assigned, on a random basis, to a group of 4 – 5
students which will consist of the same members for both the Case Studies and the GMMSO project.
As a group: o Decide on a company/industry (click on Module 1.1) and select a specific product/service
line or one of the strategic business units of your company for your project. Make sure to research your
company/industry before you decide on the one. You may want to select an existing company (it does not
have to be involved internationally) within the chosen industry or create a new company/product/service
for this project. NOTE: You can only select among local based companies (it is easier to find information
for publicly owned companies compared to privately held ones) for this project. o Although this is a group
project, it will be in your best interest to review the GMMSO on your own before you start working on it.
Go to the Navigation bar (Quick Links) and click on Help and review the ”User Guide, Do’s and Don’ts,
FAQs, Resource Sites, Sample Cases and Glossary”.
3. Submit a Project Proposal: The Project Proposal consists of Module 1.1 Company Analysis, 1.1a –
1.2.d.
4. Prepare a written report and PP presentation, based on the GMMSO
NOTE: Although some of the work on the project will be done in class, the greater part of the work will be
completed outside the class.
9. Project Evaluation: The criteria to be used in grading the GMMSO project are as follows: (lectures: 0,
seminars: 0)
a) • Strategic and critical thinking – 30% weight. Papers that focus on description and historical explanation
will be considered unsatisfactory.
b) • Quality of research and information sources and data bases – 20% weight.
c) • Thoroughness – 30% weight. You must follow through on all parts of the GMMSO.
d) • Knowledge of and the ability to apply and integrate business fundamentals as taught through this and
all other courses – 10%
e) • Proper and correct English. All assignments are expected to be free of typing errors and grammar –
10%
10. COMPULSORY: All students work on their own notebooks with wifi conection during the whole course.
(lectures: 0, seminars: 0)
Learning activities, teaching methods and workload (hours):
Type of teaching method
Participation in lectures
Preparation for lectures
Attendance at seminars/workshops/tutorials
Preparation for seminars/workshops/tutorials
Preparation of term paper
Preparation of presentation
Preparation for final test
Total
Hours of workload
daily attendance
13
6
13
6
13
13
14
78
Assessment methods and criteria:
Requirement type
Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation
Term paper
Presentation
Final test
Total
Weight
daily attendance
20 %
30 %
30 %
20 %
100 %
3
Assessment:
Graded courses
1 Excellent (90 – 100%)
2 Very good (75 – 89%)
3 Good (60 – 74%)
4 Insufficient (0 – 59%)
Ungraded courses
P Passed
NP Not Passed
Special requirements and details:
Each student has to have her/his own laptop with internet during the whole course
Reading:
Type* Author
Title
Published in
Publisher
Year
ISBN
RE
Global Strategy by Mike W. Peng published by South-Western –CENGAGE Learning, 2009 (ISBN 13: 978-0-324-59099-9).
RE
• Web Based Software: The Global Marketing Management System Online, http://www.gmmso3.com by JAI, Inc.
(http://www.janavaras.com).
* RQ – required
RE – recommended
4