COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE TITLE:
MGT/448 Global Business Strategies LSB04BSM09

REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIAL:
Books
1. The World Is Flat A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century (Friedman)
2. International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, 5/e (Hill)
3. The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization (Friedman)
4. Managing Cultural Differences (Harris, Moran)
5. Global E-Commerce Strategies for Small Business, (Da Costa, Laffont, Tirole)

Scholarly Articles
1. International Business: Environments and Operations, (Daniels, Radebaugh, Sullivan) Journal
of Political Economy
2. International Real Business Cycles, (Backus, Kehoe and Kyland) Journal of Political
Economy
3. Going global: Using information technology to advance the competitiveness of the virtual,
(Boudreau, Loch, Robey, Straub) Academy of Management Executive
4. Working with Americans, (Thompson) The FLAME of Claremont Graduate University

Websites:
1. Economist.com (The Economist Magazine)
2. FT.com (Financial Times Newspaper)
3. cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook (CIA world Fact Book)
4. loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html (Library of Congress Country Info)
5. windowontheworldinc.com/countryprofile/index.html (Tips for Global Business Etiquette
6. transparency.org (Transparency International)
7. scholar.google.com (Google for academic search)

INSTRUCTOR:
Taj Ahmad Eldridge, MBA, Ph.D Int’l Political Economics & World Politics candidate

WELCOME:
Buenas noches, Banji mashite, Boa noite, Masaa al-khair, Good Evening! Welcome
to MGT 448 – Global Business Strategies. Business has been changed drastically by the
advent of technology and globalization. This course should prepare you to become aware of
many of the externalities that businesses face as they enter the global market. It doesn’t matter if
you are not currently conducting business on a global scale, the global scale of business itself will
impact you more than you will ever know.

CONTACT METHOD:
(866) 856-1325 (office phone & voice mail)
[email protected]
[email protected] (alt. email)

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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The objectives of this course include imparting an understanding of the global business
environment, thereby offering students the opportunity to effectively contribute to the
organization’s international strategic, tactical, and operational planning processes. Upon the
successful completion of this course, students should have a practical working knowledge of the
activities, procedures, and techniques unique to international business operations.

TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES:

Contemporary Global Business Environment
• Define globalization.
• List the major drivers of globalization.
• Explain some effects of globalization.
• Analyze the role of regional integration in promoting global business.
• Relate the economic development stage of a country to potential business
opportunities.

Global Business Strategy Formulation

• Conduct a business risk analysis
• Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of various modes of
entry into global markets.
• Describe the global strategic planning process.

Strategic Implementation: Global Business Operations

• Examine the impact of national and cultural differences on the functional areas of
global business including human resource, marketing, and finance.
• Describe the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that confront global
businesses.
• Examine the various roles that host governments play in global business
operations.
• Describe the impact of global expansion on an organization's supply chain and
technology systems.

Strategy Implementation: Finance and Marketing in Global Business

• Analyze global financing and exchange rate mechanisms.
• Identify multilateral and regional financial institutions that help foster global
business..
• Identify various methods of financing global operations.
• Examine key foreign exchange risks and hedging techniques to mitigate risk.
• Conduct a global marketing analysis for a product or service.

Changing Environment of Global Business

• Examine contemporary trends in the global environment
• Examine the role of governance in a global environment.
• Evaluate exit strategies for global organizations.

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ASSIGNMENTS

INDIVIDUAL
Using a minimum of 350-words, prepare comprehensive responses to the following
questions:
What is globalization, and what are some of the traditional international
trade theories that support the concept of globalization?
List the major drivers of globalization and give three examples of each.
Explain at least four effects of globalization that impact your community
and your organization.
What are some major regional trading blocs and specify at least two in
your region of interest.

LEARNING TEAM PROJECTS FOR THE COURSE OVERVIEW

Select a country and product/service (with my approval) on which to focus your cumulative
Global Business Plan Learning Team project. The deliverables for the project will include
the following Learning Team assignments:
Assignment due week 2, Week Two: Comprehensive Environmental
Analysis Outline and Presentation (5 points)
Assignment due week 3, Week Three: Country Risk and Strategic
Planning Analysis Paper (5 points)
Assignment due week 4, Week Four: Global Considerations Paper (5
points)
Assignment due Week 5, Week Five: Final Global Business Plan and
Presentation (15 points)

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ASSIGNMENTS

INDIVIDUAL
.1 At the beginning of class, turn in the Regional Paper (5 points)
assignment. The parameters of that assignment are as followed:
Select a region other than Canada and Mexico. Prepare a 1,050-1,750-word paper in which
you analyze the role of regional integration in promoting global business. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of regional integration (NAFTA, EU, APEC, ASEAN, CAFTA,
etc.). Compare and contrast the economic development stages of countries within your
chosen region and the ramifications of your region’s economic development for global
business.
This individual assignment is due in second week of class, week two,
LEARNING TEAM
.1 Turn in your Learning Team Comprehensive Environmental Analysis
Outline and Presentation (5 points). The parameters for this assignment are as
followed:
I) Comprehensive Environmental Analysis Outline paper:
YOUR LEARNING TEAM needs to select a product/service and a country for a global
business venture. Conduct global, regional, country, and product/service analyses for
your new global venture. Prepare the 1,050-1,400-word outline illustrating the following:
.a Global Current Events Analysis
)1 Politics
)2 Economics
)3 Finance
)4 Social, health, and environmental
)5 Terrorism
)6 External governance
.b Region Analysis
)1 Regional alliances
)2 Physical environment
)3 Politics
)4 Economics
)5 Finance
)6 Social, health, and environmental
)7 Terrorism
.c Country Analysis
)1 Political
)2 Economic
)3 Finance
)4 Physical environment
I) Comprehensive Environmental Analysis Outline paper (continued)

)5 Social, health, and environmental

)6 Cultural
.d Organization and product/service analysis
Description of your organization

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 Product/Services “Needs Assessment” of the new host country
Description of product/service to meet the need
Create a mission statement for organization

II) For the Oral Presentation portion, prepare 5-7-minute oral presentation accompanied
by 10-15 Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides illustrating your paper
This Learning Team assignment is due week two,

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ASSIGNMENTS

INDIVIDUAL

None

LEARNING TEAM
3. Turn in your Learning Team Country Risk and Strategic Planning Analysis (5 points). The
parameters for this assignment are as followed:
Country Risk and Strategic Planning Analysis Paper
.a Prepare a 1,400-2,100-word paper in which you conduct a
country risk analysis for your selected global business venture. Analyze
the following risks in your paper:
)1 Political/legal/regulatory risks
)2 Exchange and repatriation of funds risks
)3 Competitive risk assessment
)4 Taxation and double taxation risks
)5 Market (4 Ps) risks
)6 Distribution/supply chain risks
)7 Social/cultural risks
)8 Cyber/technology
)9 Physical environment
.b Describe how you would manage these risks
.c Summarize your strategic planning process:
)1 Define/clarify mission and objectives
)2 Assess internal/external environment (SWOTT)
)3 Consider alternative strategies using competitive
analysis
)4 Make strategy selection
)5 Select and justify an appropriate mode of entry for your
global product or service
)6 Implement strategy
)7 Control and evaluation
)8 Devise contingency plan

This Learning Team assignment is due week three,

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ASSIGNMENTS

INDIVIDUAL
.2 At the beginning of class, turn in the Case Study paper (5 points). The
parameters for this assignment are as followed:
.a Select one of the following cases:
)1 Case: “Nike: The Sweatshop Debate” at the end of Part
2 (After Chapter 3 pg 128)
)2 Case: “The Politics of Trade in Steel” at the end of Part 3
(After Chapter8 pg 302)
)3 Case: “Money Change” at the end of Part 4 (After
Chapter 11 pg 402)
)4 Case: “Restructuring Exide” at the end of Part 5 (After
Chapter 14 pg 514)
5) Case: “Motorola’s Global Cash Management System” (After Chapter 20 pg 689)
.b Answer the Case Discussion Questions following your selected
case. Summarize the strategic and operational challenges facing global
managers illustrated in your selected case. Comment on recent global
developments affecting the company in your selected case.
LEARNING TEAM
3. Turn in your Learning Team Global Considerations Paper (5 points). The parameters for this
assignment are as followed:
Global Considerations Paper
Based on your country risk analysis paper from week two, prepare a 1,050-1,400-word
response in which you explain how you would address the following within the context of your
selected country:
Human resources management (HRM) and cultural factors
Supply chain management
Information Technology (IT)
Research and Development (R&D)
Legal and ethics challenges pertaining to your new venture
This Learning Team assignment is due week four

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ASSIGNMENTS

INDIVIDUAL
4. At the beginning of class, turn in the Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms
Paper (10 points). The parameters for this assignment are as followed:
Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms Paper
Choose one of the following topics and gain my approval for your choice. Prepare a
1,050-1,750-word paper in which you analyze one of the following global financing and
exchange rate topics:
Purchasing Power Parity/“Big Mac Index”
Currency Hedging
Hard and soft currencies
Currency controls, tax shelters, and repatriation
Countertrade
Financing via letters of credit/EXIM Bank and commercial banks
Tariff and non-tariff barriers
Roles of international financial institutions (e.g. IMF, World Bank,
ADB, etc.)
Euro Currency Markets .
LEARNING TEAM
3. Turn in your Learning Team FINAL GLOBAL BUSINESS PLAN & PRESENTATION Paper
(15 points). The parameters for this assignment are as followed:

I) Final Global Business Plan Paper

Prepare a 7,000-8,750-word paper integrating your previous Learning Team assignments to
include the following new material:
.a Summarize your findings from pervious Learning Team
assignments.
.b Be sure to include the rational for selecting your target country.
Refer to your Learning Team Meeting Two Country Risk Analysis for
highlights.
.c Determine the marketing mix specific to your selected global
product/service. Explain your choice of marketing mix. Prepare a
marketing plan that addresses product modification, pricing, promotional
programs, distribution channels, and e-business in your chosen country.
Include market indicators and trends for your product or service.

I) Final Global Business Plan Paper (continued)

.d Prepare a budget and financial overview for your global venture.

Prepare a financial analysis in terms of currency risk management and
financing of your global operation. Discuss what financial institutions and
instruments you would use to achieve your global expansion. Use the
Capital Budgeting Microsoft® Excel® template
As a minimum, apply the following capital budgeting techniques
to assess the financial viability of your project:
*Net Present Value (NPV)
*Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

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 *You may use the data provided in the Capital Budgeting
Microsoft® Excel® Template as the basis for your analysis,
or you may enter your own specific data to make the
analysis more real-life.
Identify potential domestic and international sources of financing
for your global venture project.
Examine the role of external governance and its impact to the organization.
.a Describe the degree to which your organization will operate as a
Centralized versus Decentralized Organization. Include a suggested
organizational chart.
.b Evaluate various exit strategies: e.g., divestiture of assets,
handing over to joint venture partner, diversification, or shutting down
operation, and contingencies for your global venture.
.c Make final recommendations about the feasibility of this global
venture.
.d Examine how contemporary trends in the global environment
might impact your final recommendations

II) Final Global Business Presentation - Prepare 10-15-minute oral presentation

accompanied by 10-15 Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides illustrating your paper.

Grading Points
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Item Description Percents
1 Content and Conceptualization 60%
2 Logical organization of thoughts, ideas and structure 20%
3 Spelling, Grammar, APA format, etc. 20%
Total 100%

INDIVIDUAL ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Item Description Percents
1 Relevancy to class objectives 30%
2 Clarity and conciseness of principles stated 30%
3 Evidence of preparation, including the ability to field questions 20%
4 Presentation skills, including compliance with time limits 20%
Total 100%

LEARNING TEAM ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Item Description Percents
1 Relevancy to stated objectives 20%
2 Appropriateness of examples as an illustrative vehicle 10%
3 Evidence of contribution of each team member 10%
4 Creativity 10%
5 Presentation skills including compliance with time limits 10%
6 Evidence of substantive research 10%
7 Identification of principles 10%
8 Practical applications 10%
9 Mechanics of presentation 10%
Total 100%

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How points and percentages equate to grades
Letter Grade Criteria Points Earned
A Far exceeds the standard for all required work 96-100
A- Far exceeds the standard for all required work 91-95
B+ Exceeds the standard for all required work 88-90
B Exceeds the standard for all required work 85-87
B- Exceeds the standard for all required work 81-84
C+ Met the standard for all required work 78-80
C Met the standard for all required work 75-77
C- Met the standard for all required work 71-74
D+ Did not meet the standard for all required work 67-70
D Did not meet the standard for all required work 64-66
D- Did not meet the standard for all required work 61-63
F Did not meet the standard all required work. Must < 60
retake the course

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Week One Talking Points
Globalization
Definition of contemporary global business environment
Moving or doing business across national borders
Interdependence and interconnectedness of countries,
businesses, and organizations
Decision factors and reasons to go global
Increase market share
Respond to competitive pressures
Expand the product life cycle
Increase profits
Balance business cycles
Acquire technology
Gain access to additional factors of production
Major drivers of globalization (STEEP)
Social-demographic
Religion
Cultural factors
Technological
Telecommunications
Internet
Transportation
Economic
Economic systems
Market share
Profit motives
Foreign direct investment (FDI)
Portfolio investments
Ecological and environmental factors
Pollution
Green laws
Political-legal
Falling trade barriers
Political stability
Intellectual property
Effects of globalization
Positive
Economic growth
Capital mobility
Labor mobility
Competitive advantage
Technology transfer
Political advantages
Cultural awareness
Negative

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 Job shifts
Environmental impacts
Depletion of natural resources
Lack of regulation
Dilution of culture
Loss of sovereignty
Evolution of global economy
International trade theories
Absolute advantage
Comparative advantage
International product life cycle
Hecksher-Ohlin
National competitive advantage: Porter’s Diamond
International organizations
World Trade Organization (WTO)
United Nations (UN)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
G8
Regional economic integration
European Union (EU)
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
MERCOSUR
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Central American Free Trade Association (CAFTA)
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Andean Community
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Other regional economic associations
Stages of country economic development
Less developed countries
Emerging/developing markets
Industrialized/developed countries
Current trends and predictions of growth areas and economic
powers
Global business analysis process
International Analysis
Economics
Politics
Finance
Terrorism
Health
Environmental (Global Warming)
Regional analysis
Impact of political and economic history on region
Regional alliances

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 Country selection
Market size and growth
Barriers to entry
Tariff
Non-tariff
Previous experiences in country
Timing
Country analysis
Political
Economic
Cultural
Legal
Physical Environment
Business risk analysis
Political/legal/regulatory risks
Exchange and repatriation risks
Taxation and double taxation risks
Market (4 Ps) risks
Distribution/supply chain risks
Social/cultural risks
Labor availability and issues
Potential conflicts and reconciliation with stakeholders regarding
globalization
Creation and/or modification of mission statement to reflect globalization

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Week Two Talking Points
Business risk analysis
Country and business risk analysis
Application of STEEP factors related to country
SWOTT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats,
and trends)
Initial screening: basic need potential and/or foreign trade and
investment
Second screening: economic and financial forces
Economic indicators
Balance of payments
Budget deficits
Degree of inflation
Exchange controls
Currency convertibility
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and growth rate of your country
Third screening: political and legal forces
Entry barriers
Profit remittance barriers
Other possible barriers
Fourth screening: socio/cultural forces
Demographics
Cultural
Religious
Educational
Health
Labor
Fifth screening: competitive forces
Number, size, and financial strength
Market share
Marketing strategies
Distribution and supply chain
Modes of entry
Export/import
Management contracts
Licensing
Franchising
Joint ventures/strategic alliances
Turnkey operations
Wholly owned subsidiaries (FDI)
Global Strategic Planning Process
Analyze external global environment
Define corporate vision/mission
Set corporate objectives
Quantify objectives
Formulate corporate strategies

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 Implement/execute strategic plan
Devise contingency plan
Mission statements
What is our business and who are we?
Identification of stakeholders and their claims
Labor
Customers
Suppliers
Stockholders
Management
Community
Stages of Economic Development
Traditional
Pre-Conditions for growth
Take-Off
Drive to Maturity
Age of Mass Consumption

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Week Three Talking Points
Strategic-Operational challenges and Role of Government
Human resources development
Staffing
Ethnocentric
Polycentric
Geocentric
Regional centric
Expatriates
Pre-assignment training
Reentry strategies
Families
Information dissemination and continual contact with
headquarters (HQ) via an Intranet
Cultural differences and productivity
Communications
Work ethics
Motivation
Gender
Religion
Business etiquette
Cultural sensitivity training for home country and host country
employees
Compensation
Health insurance and availability
Housing and education issues
Taxes
Pay and benefits
Diversity issues
HQ diversity initiatives
Managing diversity in host country
Marketing
Marketing segmentation
Product attributes
Distribution strategy
Communications strategy
Finance
Investment decisions
Financing decisions
Working capital management
Ethical and legal considerations
Host country and home country ethics differences
Employment practices
Different legal systems
Legal enforcement
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

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Roles of Host Governments in Global Business
Political system
Economic system
Legal systems
Incentives
Free trade zone
Concessionary loans
Duty free privileges
Tax holidays
Bonded warehouses
Supply chain management
Product and/or services
Decision to “make or buy”
Vendors and sourcing
Facilities and equipment
Logistics
Inventory management
Quality management
International Organization for Standardization (ISO®)
standards
Industry standards
Country standards
Information technology
Internet/intranet
Language
E-business
Level of sophistication of users
Security
Maintenance
Training
Country telecom and energy infrastructure, telecom regulations
and ownership
Costs
Virtual team
Platforms and software
Research and Development (R&D)
Role of R&D
In-house
Acquisition
Collaboration
Costs
Intellectual property

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Week Four Talking Points
Global Financing and Exchange Rate
Financing of global business
Financial overview process
Determine financial health of country selected
Determine potential domestic and international sources
of financing for project
Determine investment levels within assumed timeframe
Estimate budget percentages
Process profits and repatriation of funds
Outline most favorable financial structure
Capital Budgeting Techniques
Elements of Capital Budgeting
Initial investment
Cash inflows
Cost of capital
Capital Budgeting Techniques
Payback (PB)
Accounting rate of return (AROR)
Net Present Value (NPV)
Profitability index (PI)
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
Decision rules
PB: < original life of project, accept; PB >
original life of project, reject
AROR > Required Rate of Return (RRoR),
accept; AROR < RRoR reject
NPV: > 0, accept; NPV < 0, reject
PI: > 1, accept; PI < 1, reject
IRR: < Cost of Capital (CoC), reject; IRR, >
CoC, accept
Foreign Exchange Market
Definition
Functions
Location
Market makers
Large commercial banks
Brokers/dealers
Non-financial entities
Speculators, arbitrageurs, hedgers
Types of exchange transactions
Spot
Forward
Swap

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 Terms and quotations
Direct versus indirect quotations
Continental versus American
Price versus volume
Cross rates
Bid/ask
Exchange rate systems
Fixed
Freely fluctuating
Managed float
Pegged
Supply and demand for foreign exchange
International Financial Markets
Eurocurrency market
Eurobond market
Euro credit market
International stock markets
London Inter-bank Offer Rate (LIBOR)
International and regional lending Institutions (multilateral and regional)
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
Asian Development Bank
African Development Bank
Financing Global Operations
Payment methods
Letters of Credit (LCs)
Drafts
Prepayment
Consignment
Open account
Finance methods
Bankers acceptances
Counter trade
Factoring
Working capital financing
Forfeiting
Euro notes
Euro-commercial paper
Euro bank loans
Portfolio of currencies

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Foreign exchange risks
Transaction exposure
Managing transaction exposure
Do nothing
Invoice all transactions into dollars
Execute future hedge
Execute money market hedge
Execute currency option hedge
Managing economic exposure
Shift production activities
Increase productivity
Outsourcing
Increase product differentiation
Operate in markets with stable and strong currencies
Managing transaction exposure
Finance foreign assets with host country debt
Develop a portfolio of investments, diversify
Marketing mix
People (customer)
Market research
Market segmentation
Product
Localization versus standardization
Cultural and economic differences
Packaging
Political and technical standards
Warranties
Price
Price discrimination
Regulatory influence on pricing
Strategic pricing
Distribution (place)
Differences in distribution systems
Retail concentration
Channel length
Access to channels and channel exclusivity
Product support
E-business
Promotion
Barriers to international communication
Language
Cultural communication styles
Promotions methods and messages (advertising and public
relations)
Localization versus standardization
Media selection

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Regulatory issues
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

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Week Five Talking Points
Changing demographics in a global economy
US dominance in world trade
US dominance in FDI
Dominance of US multinational firms
Centrally planned economies (Communist World) off-limits
Anti-globalization debate
Jobs
Income
Environment
Spread of Democracy
Global Terrorism
Economic transformation
Deregulation
Privatization
Legal systems
Command/control mechanisms (Governance)
Organizational structures
Strategic business unit
International division
Geographical
Matrix
Functional
Hybrid
Market channel
Operational feedback and reports
Centralized versus decentralized reporting function
Exit strategies: harvest or withdrawal
Divest assets
Sales
Abandonment
Handover to joint venture partner
Diversify
Shutdown operation
Global business failures
Lack of strategic planning
Lack of market research
Unethical behavior
Operational inefficiencies
Unfavorable change in political system or economy

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