International Business (BA 4371)

Spring 2006

Honors Section .002 – Tues/Thurs 11:00-12:15 – Jan 10-Apr 25 – Room SM 1.102

Instructor

George Barnes, School of Management, UTD

Office SM 2.232, voicemail 972-883-2783, email: gbarnes@utdallas.edu
Office hours: Mon appointment; Tues/Thurs 9:00-10:30am, Wed 2:00-3:30pm

Mr. Barnes is Senior Lecturer, International Management Studies, in UTD’s School of

Management, and Director, Global MBA Online program. Prior to joining the faculty in
1987, he spent 6 years as an officer with Citibank in the Middle East, and 10 years at
Mobil Oil on an international planning staff requiring overseas travel. He has had
consulting assignments dealing with market entry strategies and investment attraction.
Current affiliations include Editorial Board, Global Risk Assessments book series;
member of the North American Small Business International Trade Educators; member,
Academy of International Business; and member Texas Distance Learning Association.
He holds a Masters degree in International Law & Diplomacy from the Fletcher School,
Tufts University.

Course overview and objectives

This is a survey course in international business. Faced with increasing global
competition, firms have expanded their search for new markets, are assessing the forces
of change affecting their businesses, and are developing appropriate responses to manage
truly global operations. In this context, the course will examine worldwide patterns of
and motivations for trade and investment, identify the institutions and environments
affecting international business, and investigate how multinational firms adapt functional
business areas - - finance, manufacturing, marketing, human resources - - to operate on a
global scale. Students will demonstrate understanding of these topics on written exams,
through class participation activities, including case study analyses, and a simulation
exercise.

This is an upper level course, best taken during the senior year. Prerequisites include
Business Finance and Marketing Management.

Learning goals
The undergraduate program is anchored by 6 learning goals requiring some, but not all,
be reflected in core courses. Brief re-statements of goals embedded in this course and the
assessment techniques are summarized below:
1. Proficiency in use of technology (access course materials in WebCT course
management system and use Internet for research)
2. Develop regard for human values and ability to make judgments based on ethical
considerations (on exams discuss and demonstrate knowledge of legal issues such
as corruption, intellectual property protection, and prepare ethics case study)
 3. recognize multicultural aspects and international dimensions of societies and be
familiar with knowledge and methods necessary to deal with related problems
(demonstrate understanding in case study analyses, exam essay questions)

Approach to course
Lectures will focus on selected topics from assigned chapters and provide additional
information supplemented by videos, current events and the Instructor's international
business experience. Lectures are not intended to duplicate the textbook, and all chapter
information will not be covered during class. However, students are responsible for all
information in assigned chapters and discussed in class pertaining to case studies and
problem-solving exercises.

Students groups will take responsibility for researching and presenting information for
several topics (see eligible topics in Schedule of classes). Participation section of
syllabus provides details.

Activities in addition to lectures and student group presentations will include videos, in-
class case discussions, and current events.

Resources
Text:
International Business: The Challenge of Global Competition, D. Ball, W. McCulloch, P.
Frantz, J. M. Geringer, M. Minor, 10th edition (McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2006). New
textbooks have license codes that provide access to publisher’s website, and, separately,
to a simulation exercise.

WebCT course website: Power point slide lectures, selected audio lectures, case study
preparation tips, financial management problems and money market (credit) hedge
textbook excerpt, in-class exercises, exam preparation topics, sample essays and self-
tests, international business surveys.

Internet: Assignments will require students to use resources on the Internet. The text
contains a useful Internet Appendix. Students are required to be able to access UTD
Library electronic databases, through UTD Net access account, and/or have reliable
access to the Internet through an Internet service provider.

National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) - provides country, industry, trade and regulatory
information, and is helpful for several case study assignments (e.g., 9.1, 10.1, 13.1, 17.1,
and Female Executives/chapter 19). Access NTDB through library or computer lab
(free), or www.stat-usa.gov
Assignments
All students will be organized into teams to participate in two group assignments:

1-CESIM simulation exercise

2-class participation activity related to one of course topics

1. Simulation (CESIM)

Read CESIM student guide in text. The simulation will be played Feb 27-Apr 16, and
will require about 2 hours of analysis and decisions per round. The following reports will
be submitted (Instructor will provide a set of guidelines):
? 1-page preliminary plan after a practice round
? 2-page strategy update after round 5
? 4-6 page final written report to fictitious shareholders and 5-10 minute presentation
during the final class day.

Grading parameters will be included in a set of Guidelines (prepared and distributed by

instructor).

See timetable following Schedule of classes.

IMPORTANT: you will need a license number to access the simulation exercise; one is
available with the purchase of a new textbook; if you purchased a used textbook, please
see instructor for instructions on obtaining a license online (approx. $20).

2. Participation

Groups will be allocated 30-35 minutes during a class period (see Schedule of classes) to
present information or to lead class discussion on an applicable topic . Suggested
resources to draw on include:
-chapter-ending minicases (see additional minicase guidance below)
-publisher’s supplemental materials
-current events
-original research, for example about a company facing an issue related to the chapter
topics.

One week before the designated class presentation, one member of the group will inform
instructor by email of the chosen topic and approach.

Grading will be based on content, and creativity/effectiveness of presentation. For

example, if minicase is used, consider role play, mock negotiation, or business meeting,
and if outside resource has been contacted, consider streaming audio or video interview.
Following is additional guidance about using chapter-ending minicases:

Profile of Cases
In developing your analysis, be guided by case questions provided in text and
Instructor’s Case study tips at course website.

Case analysis
1-what is the main message(s)?
2-what information provided is extraneous?
3-what information is missing, and does this lead you to make certain assumptions?
4-what text or lecture information is related to the case? (cases complement only specific
chapter information)
5-what recommendation(s) emerge from your analysis?

Private discussion area at WebCT course site is available for each group to use for
communications, file sharing: ask instructor for technical support.

Bonus: financial management problems (chapter 20)

Any student (or students working in pairs) may earn extra credit by submitting the answer
to one of the following financial management problems:

1. Payable Hedge (see WebCT course site), or

2. One of the 3 problems (see WebCT course site)

Each solution should be typed, double-spaced, no more than one page (calculations as
required may be submitted free-hand). Solutions are due at the beginning of class on
April 18.

Note regarding written assignments: No late assignments are accepted. This restriction may be waived
under special circumstances; nevertheless, the maximum grade for a late assignment is 80%.

Examinations
There will be two exams: Midterm and Final. Midterm will be administered online
during a defined 24 hour period. Final exam will be administered in the classroom.
Exams will include multiple choice questions and short essays. Key topics for review,
sample essay questions, and a multiple-choice self-test are posted at the course website.
Bring to Final exam a Scantron card 882-E (50 questions on a side) available from Off-
Campus Books or UTD bookstore.

Make-up exam: a student may request a make-up exam one week prior to the scheduled
exam; the instructor will approve or disapprove on the merit of the extenuating
circumstances subject to agreement on a mutually convenient make-up time.
Grading
Most grades will be based on a 100 point scale.
30% Midterm
30% Final exam
20% Group participation
20% CESIM simulation exercise

Numerical grade correlation

Grade of A = 92+
A- 90-91
B+ 85-89
B 80-84

Beginning Fall, 2005, UTD requires instructors to submit mid-term grades for all
students. For this course, the grade submitted will be Midterm exam and any completed
group participation.

Policy on cheating
Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities. Students who
engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are
attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another
person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit
such act." (Regent's rules and regulations)

WebCT online course site

This course is available in WebCT, an online software platform supported by UTD. The online dimension
is intended to enhance your learning and participation experience. Go to the following URL:
http://webct.utdallas.edu and log on using your UTD-assigned Net-account User ID and password; click on
this course. Student who don't currently have a Net ID account, please initiate your account at:
http://netid.utdallas.edu. For more information about Net ID, go to
http://netid.utdallas.edu/guam/html/netid.html For help: call computer help desk 972-883-2911, or email
assist@ut dallas.edu.

In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum technical requirement
must be met to enable a successful learning experience. Technical requirements include but not limited to:

Hardware
• A Pentium processor or equivalent Mac system; Windows 98/Me/2000/XP or Mac OS 9.x or OS
X 10.1.
• Internet access with 56.6 kbps modem (minimum). A high-bandwidth connection is
recommended.
• 128 MB system Ram; 500 MB free disk space or sufficient storage
• Sound card
Software
• Web browser: Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, AOL, Mozilla or Safari. For WebCT
supported browsers and versions, please see validated browser list. Also see browser configuration
information below.
• MS Office 2000 is the minimum standard (Microsoft software is available at a nominal cost from
UTD bookstore)
• Virus detection/protection software such as McAfee
• “Plug-in” tools such as current version of RealPlayer and Adobe Acrobat Reader

Web Browser Configuration

To view WebCT courses you need one of the WebCT supported browsers listed above with JavaScript
enabled and cookie enabled. It is also important that you set the cache settings of your browser to verify
web documents “Every Time”. The methods for configuring these settings vary among browsers. You
can check your browser's documentation for details. Or you can follow this web link provided by WebCT
to tune up your browser: http://www.webct.com/tuneup.

Features of your International Business WebCT online course this semester

• Syllabus
• Calendar (Instructor will post key dates, and students may personalize Calendar with "private" entries)
• Course materials
1) lectures (streaming audio and slide presentations available for some sessions)
2) downloadable PowerPoint slide lectures
3) exercises for written assignments and class discussions
4) case study tips and peer evaluation
5) current events
6) video clips
• Communications
1) in Discussions, use Main Topic for questions and answers about the course which concern all students
2) Course Announcement Topic for instructor to post course updates
3) Private Discussion groups may be set up for Case Study communications, exchange of files
4) Email
• Exam preparation
1) exam review topics and sample essay questions
2) self-tests in multiple choice format
• Student tools
 Honors BA4371.002 – Spring 2006
Chapter/topic/date in bold italics = student group opportunity

Month Tues Chapter/Topic Thurs Topic

Jan 10 Introduction 12 1-Rapid change of global

business
Video: Airbus Industrie
17 2-Dimensions of trade and 19 3-Theories of trade and
investment; motivations for investment; protectionism
international business
24 4-International institutions 26 5-International monetary system
Video: How IMF makes loans
Jan/ 31 11-Financial forces 2 6-Sociocultural forces
Feb CESIM simulation introduction
and Guidance
Feb 7 6-Sociocultural forces 9 12-Labor forces

14 9-Political forces 16 9-Political forces

Video: Privatization
21 10-Legal forces 23 10-Legal forces

Feb 24- Midterm: chapters 3-6, 9-12

25 (*)
Feb/ 28 13-International competitive 2 15-Entry modes
Mar strategy
7 SPRING BREAK 9 SPRING BREAK
14 17-Marketing internationally 17 17-Marketing internationally

21 18-Organizational design and 23 18-Organizational design and

control of the firm control
28 19-Human resource 30 19-Human resource management
management
Apr 4 20-Financial management 6 Primo black-marketing
discussion in class
Walmart (Mini-case 13.1)
11 21-Global operations and supply 13 21-Global operations and supply
chain management chain management
Video: Re-industrialization
18 20-Financial management 20 CESIM simulation presentations
problems
25 Final exam (chapters 13, 15, 17-
21)

(*) Midterm exam online Feb 24-25

 CESIM simulation timetable

Week of Simulation round Report and/or presentation

Feb 20 Registration
Feb 27 Practice round Opening strategy due by email no
later than March 13, 6pm
Mar 13 1 and 2
Mar 20 3 and 4
Mar 27 5 Assess rounds 1-5
Interim strategy update due by
email no later than Apr 1, 11pm
Apr 3 6 and 7
Apr 10 8 and 9
On Apr 20 -- Final report and in-class
presentation to Board of Directors
(5-10 minutes )
Note: specific beginning and For report contents and length, see
ending dates /times for each Round Guidance handout from instructor
will be displayed in the CESIM
website Schedule once you have
registered