BA 447 – Topics in International Business

FALL 2007

Materials/Schedule

Professor: Manolete V. Gonzalez, Phd Email: gonzalezm@bus.oregonstate.edu

Office: B 224B

Office hours: T:4:00-5:00pm; Th:1:00-2:00pm; F:10:00-11:00am

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objective of this course is to investigate selected topics in International Business with the end in view of providing an understanding of “unique problems, characteristics, and demands” on a multinational enterprise. Because the list of topics or issues of an international nature can be potentially long, we will identify a limited set of issues and attempt to study them well. The course will be investigative in approach, with the intent of encouraging students to continue to learn beyond this course; we will also investigate these from the perspective of strategic and operational decisions that multinational enterprises face.

In terms of learning outcomes, at the end of this course, students must demonstrate:

1) An awareness of the numerous global issues that multinational enterprises face;

2) An appreciation of the complexity of selected issues;

3) An understanding of how multinational enterprises can be affected by these issues;

4) A capacity to investigate one such issue in its complexity.

The structure of this course is designed to allow investigation. We will start with Thomas Friedman’s book, for no other reason than it provides a reasonably cohesive framework within which to understand how global business is evolving. We will use our discussion of this book to define a list of issues for further study during the course. We will investigate these issues through a process of readings and discussion; in most cases I will provide the initial material, in all cases, I would like students to surprise me by suggesting material that are relevant and useful.

READING REQUIREMENTS

Text: The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman

Readings: Foreign Affairs, Economist, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Asian Wall Street Journal, New York Times and similar publications; websites of reputable/known organizations such as the World Bank, and links in the schedule.

Students are expected to read the assigned chapters of the text and where applicable, contents of websites indicated in the class schedule. Students should also regularly scan the headlines of the publications under Readings and read the articles that attract their interest and which relate to topics covered in this class. It is not necessary subscribe to these publications. The Valley library has these available.

REQUIREMENTS AND GRADES

There will be no midterm and final exams for this course. Because of the nature of the course, and the topics we will cover, the requirements below are intended to encourage active participation in the investigation of selected topics. Students are expected to prepare for class by reading the assigned material early enough to do some personal investigation. In this manner, it is hoped the student can contribute to the discussion. Participation grades will be based on attendance and contribution to class discussions. In-class writing exercises will be given from time to time.

QUIZZES

There will be graded quizzes through the term. These quizzes will be based on the assigned readings, slide notes, and class discussion. All quizzes need not be announced. There will be no make-ups for quizzes missed, except in cases where the absence from class is excused, e.g. due to illness.

ASSIGNMENTS

Each student should submit at least six assignments. The objective of these assignments is to involve the student in an inquiry into topics covered in the course. To prepare for an Assignment, a student should find an article from one of the sources listed under the Readings section above, an article that covers a topic that is related to the topic to be discussed during the class the Assignment is due. The student should submit the article (or a link to the article) and a brief summary and explanation of how the article contributes to class discussions.

To receive a full grade, the Assignment should be submitted on time and the article and summary/explanation should be acceptable. To be considered acceptable, an Assignment should meet the following criteria.

(a) Include an article that is relevant to the major points, e.g. assumptions, conclusions, etc. in the Chapter, or readings in the case of Assignments 5 & 6, to be discussed in the class the Assignment is due.

(b) The statement (maximum of one typed page) should:

a. Contain a brief summary of the article.

b. Make reference to a specific point made in the Chapter assigned for the day, state how the article is related to that point, e.g. it illustrates, it contradicts, it adds, etc.

These Assignments are due on the sessions marked on the class schedule. Be prepared to be called upon to discuss your Assignment during class. These assignments should be ready for collection at the beginning of the class. Late Assignments will earn half credit and only if it is acceptable.

TERM PROJECT (GROUPS)

A term project will be required and will form the major portion of a student’s grade. This will consist of a typed-written report (approximately 10 pages) and a presentation at the end of the term. The requirements for the Term Project will be described in a separate document. The Term Project is a group assignment.

Groups of not more than four students will be formed early in the term. Each group will be required to establish expectations/criteria covering contribution of each member to the group’s deliverables early in the term; this will be the basis for a peer evaluation which will be submitted at the same time the term project is due. These peer evaluations will be considered in determining the term project grade of each member.

HOUSE RULES

House rules or expectations on behavior in class will be discussed during the first week of classes. These rules will be posted on the slides for the first day of classes and may be reiterated during the term.

GRADING GUIDELINES

Submissions, i.e. Assignments, Term Projects, and Presentations, will be considered not acceptable for a combination of five or more spelling and grammar errors, language and/or writing style inappropriate in a professional context, and failure to follow any of the requirements below. To reiterate, these assignments are due at the beginning of class. (Keep a copy if you wish to refer to it during discussions.) The following requirements apply to Assignments and the Term Project

1. MUST BE TYPED.

2. To avoid confusion, for Assignments, place the Assignment number indicated on the Class Schedule.

3. Use at least ONE AND ONE-HALF line spacing.

4. DO LEAVE A ONE INCH MARGIN ON BOTH SIDES.

5. DO use a font comparable to what is used in this document.

6. DO PLACE STUDENT ID NUMBERS ON TERM PROJECT.

7. DO NOT USE BINDERS. DO staple the pages together.

Academic Dishonesty Any case of academic dishonesty can result in a grade of F for the course. This action is allowed by Academic Regulations and Procedures as described in the Schedule of Classes. You should know and understand these policies and regulations.

Grade Distribution The following will provide the basis for a students grade:

Weight

Quizzes 40%

Assignments 12%

Participation 8%

Term Project 40%