University of Texas at Dallas

School of Management
Course Description and Syllabus for
BA 4371 – 522 - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Summer 2007 - Wednesday

INSTRUCTOR: RAJ SHARMA

Phone: 214 957 5024

Email: rajendra.sharma@utd.edu

Office Location & Time: By appointment

Required Textbook: Global Business Today – 5th Edition by Charles W.L. Hill – McGraw-Hill

Instructor - Profile:

Represented the State of Alberta, Canada in the Republic of India, in the area of promoting Trade
and Investments, for three years. Work experience in Canada, India and U.S.A. Managed large
budgets and workforces for various government agencies, for over 20 years. Currently, Board
Member of the Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, World Affairs Council, and
member of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. In addition to U.T.D, taught at the Texas
Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas and in Canada. Currently working as an Executive with
the City of Dallas, Texas. Has completed the Executive Development Program and M.B.A. from
the University of Calgary, Canada, and a BSc. (Hons) from University of Waterloo, Canada.

Course Objective:

Due to better transportation facilities and the communication revolution, different countries of the
world are coming close to each other. The closeness is very apparent in the efforts to find least
expensive goods and services from any country, no matter how far.

During this course the students will learn about the fundamentals of International Business and
how to work and compete in the international markets. We will discuss the current status of
globalization and its impact on the economies of various countries. We will also gain insight in to
various international institutions, how rapidly the international marketplace is changing, what can
be done by corporations, not only to mitigate risk but to take advantage of the new opportunities.

Grades Policy
Mid Term 1 20%
Mid Term 2 20%
Final Examination 20%
Group Report 15%
Group Presentation 5%
Cases – Individual 10%
Late assignment will receive a penalty of 10% for the each week after the due date.
Assignments will not be accepted after two weeks of due date.
Participation 10%
Participation marks will include class attendance, participation as well as peer evaluation
for the team work.
 Letter Grade Assignment

A+: 97 and up; A: 94-96; A-: 90-93

B+: 87-89; B: 84-86; B-: 80-83
C+: 77-79; C: 74-76; C-: 70-73
D+: 67-69: D: 64-66; D-: 60-63
F: Below 60%

Classroom Rules

You are required to attend class. Attendance will directly impact your participation grade.
Respect your fellow students – turn off cell phones, no talking amongst yourselves, be on time. It
is easiest to contact me outside of class via e-mail. If necessary, we can make appointments if
before class or after class meetings are not sufficient. Please be sure that I have a way to contact
you (e-mail address, phone number).

Class Participation

You must come to class prepared to discuss the chapter of the day to secure participation marks.

Scholastic Dishonesty

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who violate the University of Texas at Dallas’
rules on scholastic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of
failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. I will strictly enforce the University’s
policies.

Group Case and Presentation

The groups will consist of up to 6 members, unless approved otherwise. Please give your team
names by January 18 in an email. All names must be spelled as shown in the official UTD
registration (do not use short names). The groups will be responsible for choosing a country and
a product/service to be bought or sold to that country. It will be better for you to choose a country
on which relevant information is available readily.

The project must include all the elements expected in a professional report including the
following:

1. Why this country

2. Why this product
3. What is the economic and socio political/legal environment of the target country
4. Detailed strategies for buying or selling goods or services selected
5. Regional phasing, time frames, alternate plans, exit strategy etc.

The project report should be written in a business report format and should include elements such
as, executive summary, introduction, discussion including research, financials, conclusions and
recommendations. It should also have an index page and a works cited section, along with
names of all team members as they appear in the registration. Please don’t put any pet names.
Report will be no less than 10 pages, double space, using a 12 font.

Group Presentations will start after the first mid-term. I will inform you on the presentation date
for your group, after all of the groups are formed.
 Evaluations

You will be evaluating your team members. I will use these evaluations towards part of the class
participation marks. However, if you are totally satisfied with your team member’s participation in
the group effort, you may not fill out the form. Only less than excellent performs should
necessitate submitting the form.

Individual Cases

Individual cases will be due in class on the day they appear in the syllabus. A case report
answering all of the questions at the end of the case will be submitted in class. The report should
be about two pages long, double spaced and no larger than 12 font (Arial or Times New Roman).
Submissions made later than due date will be penalized by 10 % for the first week, and 20% for
the second week. Assignments will not be accepted after two weeks over due date.

Grade Communication

Grades will be posted on the WebCT.

Examinations

All examinations will be true/false and/or multiple choice. Please bring a scantron form.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Date Topic Chapter

May 16 Introductions, Syllabus, Globalization Chapter 1 Make Teams

May 23 National Differences in Political Economy Chapters 2, 3 Finalize Teams

Differences in Culture
First Case Due
May 30 Ethics in International Business Chapter 4, 5 The Globalization of Health Care
International Trade Theory Page 39, Questions 1,2,4 only

June 6 Political Economy of International Trade Chapter 6 Mid Term 1 (Chapter 1 – 6)

Bring Scantron

June 13 Foreign Direct Investment Chapters 7, 8 Presentations

Regional Economic Integration
Second Case Due, Logitech Page 188
June 20 Foreign Exchange Market Chapters 9, 10 Questions 1,4,6 only
International Monetary System Presentations

June 27 The Strategy of International Business Chapter 11 Mid Term 2 (Chapter 7 – 10)
Bring Scantron

July 11 Entering Foreign Markets Chapter 12, 13 Presentations

Exporting, Importing & Countertrade

July 18 Global Production, Outsourcing & Logistics Chapter 14 Presentations

Global Marketing and R& D

July 25 Global Human Resources Management Chapter 15 Presentations

Aug 1 Final Examination Final Examination

 TEAM MEMBER EVALUATIONS
(To be used only if you are not satisfied with your team member’s performance)

In order to provide you the opportunity to objectively evaluate the contributions made by your team members
during this course and to provide me additional input concerning the individual performance of team members,
you are requested to complete this questionnaire. Do not rate your own performance.

Team Name. _________________

Team Member Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Scoring: E = Performance exceeded my expectations

M = Performance met my expectations
B = Performance below my expectations

1. Attended and played active role in team newsgroup.

2. Assumed and accomplished specific task responsibilities according to team schedule.

3. Gave support to individual members.

4. Made positive suggestions on how to accomplish assignments.

5. Provided leadership.

6. Encouraged others to contribute.

7. Overall contribution to success of all assignments.

Team Member Initials ________