International Management
PEKING UNIVERSITTY HSBC BUSINESS SCHOOL
International Management
Academic Year: 2011/2012, Module 2
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:20pm, C107
Dr. Sai Lan
Assistant Professor of Management
Email: sailan@phbs.pku.edu.cn
Office Hours: Wednesday 3-4pm or by appointment
Objectives:
This course examines the key environmental and management issues and challenges that contemporary managers confront when conducting business across national borders. Its aim is to develop an understanding about the complex dynamics at play that drive the changing world economy and their implications for global competition among firms and nations. This course consists of two main parts. We will first examine the major components of the international business environment, including the economic, cultural, legal, political, and technological systems. Based on these understandings, we will then discuss the management of Multinational Corporations (MNCs). In particular, we will examine the organizational structure and strategy of MNCs that can confer competitive advantages in the contemporary international business environment.
Throughout the course, we will make use of a variety of materials, including theoretical readings, research reports, and cases of real business problems, etc. Emphasis will be placed on integrating theory and practice through a disciplined application of concepts and models to analyze problems. We will also welcome your personal experiences and observations as input for class discussion.
Reading Materials:
Hill, Charles W. L. International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. 8th Edition. McGraw Hill, 2010
Bartlett, C.A., Ghoshal, S., & Beamish, P. (BGB) Transnational Management: Text, Cases, and
Readings in Cross-Border Management. 5th Edition. McGraw Hill/东北财经大学出版社, 2008.
Requirements:
The course requirements include (1) quality class participation, (2) a group global environment case report (text no longer than 3 double-spaced pages, 12-point font) , (3) a group company case report (text no longer than 10 double-spaced pages, 12-point font) and presentation, and (4) a final exam or individual report and presentation.
Students will form their own groups of at least 2 persons each. Attendance in all class periods is required; and students are expected to read the assigned materials beforehand and participate in class discussions, just as they would do when attending a business meeting.
The specific requirements to be evaluated, including course weights, are as follows:
Class participation (including attendance) 20%
Group global environment case report 20%
Group company case report and presentation 30%
Final exam or
Individual report and presentation 30%
Global Environment Case Report:
Each group will select a part case from Hill textbook part two, three or four. Apply the material learned about that topic to analyze the case and answer all the questions at the end of the case. If more than two groups are choosing the same case, selection will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis according to the order in which the email request is received by the instructor.
Company Case Report:
Each group will select a part case from Hill textbook part five or part six. Apply the material learned about that topic to analyze the case and answer the questions at the end of the case. If more than two groups are choosing the same case, selection will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis according to the order in which the email request is received by the instructor.
Each group need to apply what is learned from this course to prepare a company report (text no longer than 10 pages, double-spacing, 12- point font) that contains the following information:
1. Background about the firm and its industry.
2. Assessment of the firm’s current business performance relative to both domestic and global competitors.
3. Assessment of the firm’s competitive advantages and disadvantages relative to other leading firms in the industry, both domestically and globally.
4. Answer all the questions at the end of the case
The company case report is due at the beginning of the class on the scheduled day of presentation.
The group will have 20 minutes to present their company analysis, followed by a 10 minutes Q&A. The main criterion in evaluating the company case report and presentation will be the extent to which the group uses relevant course materials as a basis for identifying and analyzing the critical issues and problems facing the company.
Group Management:
Students will need to finalize their group formation by the end of the first week of class and select a representative as their group’s contact person for the instructor. The representative will email the instructor before the third class meeting (November 15, 2011) to provide the following information:
1. A name for the group for identification purposes (e.g., ABC Consulting).
2. A listing of all group members’ names and their email addresses.
3. Identification of the two cases the group has selected for the case reports.
All group members are expected to contribute equally to completing the group assignments. It is primarily your responsibility to eliminate free-riding. If you think that there is a problem in your group, you should first try to resolve it within the group. However, if this does not work, please discuss the matter with the instructor in a timely manner so that corrective actions can be taken.
Exam:
The final will be an in-class, closed-book, closed-notes exam; and no computers will be permitted. It may include true/false, short-answer, and/or case-analysis questions. The exam will cover materials from the required readings and all other information provided in class, including lectures, videos, case discussions, and class presentations. It is scheduled for the last day of class.
Individual Report
In recent years, many Chinese companies have engaged in international expansion activities (E.g. Haier, Lenovo, Geely, Huawei, PetroChina, among others). Select one of these Chinese firms to analyze. If more than two students are choosing the same company, selection will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis according to the order in which the email request is received by the instructor. The student need to apply what is learned from this course to prepare a company report (text no longer than 15 pages, double-spacing, 12- point font) that contains the following information:
1. Background about the firm and its industry.
2. Strategic intent and extent of the firm’s international expansion activities.
3. Assessment of the firm’s current business performance relative to both domestic and global competitors.
4. Assessment of the firm’s competitive advantages and disadvantages relative to other leading firms in the industry, both domestically and globally.
5. Analysis of how the firm has been successful or un-successful in leveraging its location and comparative advantages to achieve its goal of international expansion.
6. Proposal for launching a specific product over the next 3 years that might strengthen the firm’s global competitiveness. Detailed descriptions of the product and justifications for launching such a product are needed.
Include an executive summary at the beginning and an appendix at the end of the report that provides a complete listing of the sources of information (e.g., books, articles, organizations, web sites, etc.) used for the project investigation.
For students choosing the individual report option, he/she will need to submit a one-page (single-spaced) project proposal on December 8, 2011. The proposal should identify the Chinese company chosen for the project, some background description of the company and why it is chosen, a project timetable with specific milestones, and a listing of intended sources of information.
Class Participation:
As part of the class participation evaluation, the instructor will ask for volunteers and occasionally make “lucky calls” on the students to answer specific questions about the assigned readings, lead/summarize/integrate case discussion, and/or take part in certain activities (e.g., pop quizzes, class exercises) that contribute to learning.
To facilitate evaluation and recording of your class participation (including attendance), please fill out the attached student background form and return it to the instructor by the second class meeting (November 10, 2011). Reduced credit on class participation will be given to students who did not submit the form. Also, please select a permanent seat by the third class and use it for the remainder of the semester.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all classes and have read all the assigned readings before class. If you have to miss a class for a valid reason, please email the instructor beforehand to avoid penalty on your class participation grade. Students who have more than three non-approved absences will receive a penalty of 10 point reduction.
Evaluation Criteria:
Three main criteria will be used in evaluating your performance on the assignments:
a. Your knowledge and understanding of the materials covered in class and the assigned readings.
b. Your synthesis of these materials.
c. Your ability to apply the materials to analyze and solve problems.
Each criterion is equally important. It is not possible to use information unless it has been acquired and understood. This means that you need to read the assigned readings and attend class. It is not likely that synthesis can be achieved with memorization, since the ability to perceive relationships depends on understanding. Finally, if we are to enhance your managerial effectiveness it will be necessary to focus upon how the information can be applied to solve real life problems.
All assignments are to be completed on schedule. No late submissions will be accepted.
Course Etiquette:
1. Be on time and don’t leave early.
2. Do not disrupt the class with side conversations during class.
3. Be respectful of others in the class. Listen and give attention when someone talks.
4. All cell phones, messaging devices, and pagers should be turned off during class.
5. Please do not leave and re-enter the room during class except for emergency.
6. Using laptops in the classroom is a privilege, not a right. Laptops are to be used for class activities only. If you are seen more than once doing non-class related activities with your laptop (e.g., net surfing, emailing) during class you lose laptop privileges for the remainder of the course, or take a penalty of 10 point reduction.
Repeated violations of items 1-5 above may hurt your class participation grade at the instructor’s discretion.
Enrollment in this course indicates that you have read and accepted the terms stated above in this course outline.
Syllabus
Date Topic and Reading Assignment
11/8 Introduction to course
Globalization and international management
11/10 Global trends, opportunities, and challenges
Asia-Pacific and the changing world economy
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 1: Globalization
11/15 Country differences in Political Economy
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 2: National Differences in Political Economy
11/17 Country differences in Culture
Ethics in International Management
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 3: Differences in Culture
Hill - Chapter 4: Ethics in International Business
Case – Walmart’s Chinese suppliers
Case – Walmart’s Chinese suppliers
11/22 The Global Trade and Investment Environment
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 5: International Trade Theory
Hill - Chapter 6: The Political Economy of International Trade
11/24 FDI & Regional Integration
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 7: Foreign Direct Investment
Hill - Chapter 8: Regional Economic Integration
11/29 Global Monetary System
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 9: The Foreign Exchange Market
Hill - Chapter 10: The International Monetary System
12/1 Global Capital Market
***Group global environment case report due
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 11: The Global Capital Market
12/6 MNC Competitive Strategy
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 12: The Strategy of International Business
BGB – Chapter 3: Developing Transnational Strategies: Building Layers of Competitive Advantage
12/8 Organization design for MNC - I
Multinational structures and coordination mechanisms
Roles for multinational subsidiaries
***Individual company report proposal due (for those choosing this option)
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 13: The Organization of International Business
BGB – Chapter 4: Developing a Transnational Organization: Managing Integration, Responsiveness, and Flexibility
12/13 Organization design for MNC - II
Worldwide learning and innovation
Knowledge management within the transnational
Readings:
BGB – Chapter 5: Creating Worldwide Innovation and Learning: Exploiting Cross-Border Knowledge Management
12/15 Entry, Strategic Alliance and Joint Venture
Readings:
Hill - Chapter 14: Entry Strategy and Strategic Alliances
BGB – Chapter 6: Engaging in Cross-border Collaboration: Managing across Corporate Boundaries
12/20 Global Operations – Production & Supply Chain
Readings:
Hill – Chapter 16: Global Production, Outsourcing and Logistics
12/22 Global Operations – Marketing and R&D
Readings:
Hill – Chapter 17: Global Marketing and R&D
12/27 Global Operations – Human Resource Management
***Group Company Case Presentation
Readings:
Hill – Chapter 18: Global Human Resource Management
12/29 Global Operations – Accounting
***Group Company Case Presentation
Readings:
Hill – Chapter 19: Accounting in International Business
1/3 Global Operations – Finance
***Group Company Case Presentation
Readings:
Hill – Chapter 20: Financial Management in International Business
1/5 Course Review
Q&A
1/10 *** FINAL EXAM ***
PHBS FALL 2011, INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
STUDENT BACKGROUND AND INPUT FORM
Name: ___________________________ Phone: _________________
Home Town: _____________________ E-mail:_________________
Previous School(s) and Diploma(s)/Degree(s) Received (indicate year diploma/degree granted):
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Work Experiences during Last Three Years:
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Career Objectives for Next Five Years:
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Expectations from the Course:
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Additional Information Professor Should Know about You:
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