BSA545 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS - January 2000 - Education - http://maxpages.com/drsatterlee/BSA545_International

AVERETT COLLEGE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Addendum to the Published Student Module (January 2000)

Course Number and Title
BSA 545 – International Business

Course Description
The International Business course introduces the student to the opportunities, and constraints, posed by the ever-expanding business environment. This course will provide an overview of the concerns that may impact upon the modern manager in many organizations. Concepts such as multinational trade, trading blocs, legal issues involved in international commerce, as well as the importance of cultural/regional highlights will be presented. Through active involvement and outside-the-classroom research and study, the student will be encouraged to examine the wide range of issues in international business, including transnational transactions, communications, and transportation, as well as develop a more focused understanding of those issues directly affecting his/her career.

Professor and Contact Numbers
Dr. Brian Satterlee
(804) 791-5837
satterle@averett.edu

Texts/Materials
· Hill, C. W. L. (2000). International business: Competing in the global marketplace. (3E.). Burr Ridge, IL: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
· www.maxpages.com/drsatterlee

Course Objectives
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· Define the conduct of international business/investment.
· Discuss the constraints/opportunities of key areas of business (such as marketing, accounting, organization, etc.) in an international environment.
· Apply principles from these other fields in international business.
· Discuss trading blocs/trading agreements and their implications for business.
· Make better decisions regarding the conduct of business in an international environment.
· Manage employees and resources more effectively in an international business environment.
· Apply basic principles of international trade/investment.
· Develop/enhance skills in technology used to gather information on (and examine) the possibilities of international business.
· Engage in refined planning and strategic operations in international business.
· Explain and discuss the impact of trade and property law on both international and domestic business ventures.
· Describe culture's impact, and political influences on, international business.

Grading Policy
Performance in this course will be assessed as follows, on a 100-points scale:
· Scholarly Essays -- 25 points (5 points each)
· Written Country Reports -- 45 pts. (15 pts. each)
· Final Project -- 30 pts.

Assignments
Averett College Graduate and Professional Studies employs a modular approach to instructional delivery. That is, each course is developed and published as a series of modules. The modules are distributed to registered students. The purpose of this addendum is to provide additional information to students enrolled in this course. Please bring your Student Module and textbook to each class.

WEEK ONE
· Presentation of the first two Individual Chapter Essays.

WEEK TWO
· Presentation of last three Individual Chapter Essays.

WEEK THREE
· Presentation of WCR 1.

WEEK FOUR
· Presentation of WCR 2.

WEEK FIVE
· Presentation of WCR 3.

WEEK SIX
· Presentation of Study Team Case.

Scholarly Essay
Each student will write a 3 to 4 page essay on one topic from any five of the chapters in the textbook. You select the five chapters that will form the basis of your essays. No more than one essay per chapter, please. Be prepared to present your findings to the class.

Written Country Reports (WCR)
Your study team will select one of the following regions for study during this course.
· AFRICA
· MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
· EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC
· SOUTH ASIA
· EUROPE
· WESTERN HEMISPHERE

The study team will then select three nations from the region as the focus of their Written Country Reports (WCR). For example, suppose your study team selects the WESTERN HEMISPHERE. Suppose it selects the following nations for focus: Canada, USA, and Mexico. Then, the Canada WCR is due Week 3, the USA WCR is due Week 4, and the Mexico WCR is due Week 5.

Follow the APA format in the preparation of the WCR. Be sure to reference all sources, both within the document and in the bibliography. The format for the WCR will be as follows:

· Cover page
· Historical overview
· Geography
· Demographics
· Business etiquette/norms/social customs
· Governmental structure
· Foreign policy
· Economy
· Banking
· Foreign trade
· Investment
· Political conditions; Political parties; Government policy; National security
· Business travel; Consular info sheets; Travel warnings/advisories
· Implications for U.S. business

The Study Team should review the following websites for international business information.
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CIA Fact Book
www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook

U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
www.ita.doc.gov

U.S. State Department,
· Travel Publications (tips for travelers)
· Centers for Disease Control (travel health information)
· Links to Foreign Embassies in Washington, DC
· Background Notes (regional affairs)
www.state.gov

International Business Guide
www.commerce.state.wi.us/IEInt’lGuideforBusiness.html

International Business Resources on the Web
http://ciber.bus.msu.edu/busres.htm

Case Study

For the purpose of this project, a case shall be defined as a report written in narrative form which describes a functional problem and the alternative decisions toward the solution of the situation.

A case is a factual account of a situation, and therefore, must be meticulously written with regard to verity. Bias must be avoided at all costs. The case should involve a time pattern with data and events presented in chronological order. This time structure in writing the case is needed in order to aid the reader in his/her dissemination of the information presented. In addition, enough detail must be provided to allow the reader to fully understand the situation. The writer should be careful when making assumptions concerning the level of the reader’s knowledge of the subject. The case should be written in such a manner that the reader can express an opinion even if no prior knowledge of the company or industry exists. This requirement means that the case should be quite informative on the details of the company and the status of the industry. While sufficient detail is required, ordinarily the case should be relatively short. The reader should not be bogged down with superfluous information.

The opening paragraph should briefly disclose the problem. The decision-maker should be introduced by name and title. The time frame, the company'’ name and location should also be divulged. A base from which to analyze the information presented should be provided. The case should be written in a way that allows alternative appraisal and interpretations of the situation, and consequently, elective courses of action. The following steps are a guide to case development.

· Select a company or topic to research, depending upon your preference. The company or topic must be relevant to the region your study team selected for the WCR.

· Locate and scan the literature concerning your selection. As you read, define problems and influences upon them. Is the situation interesting and will it aid in developing decision-making skills in international business issues?

· Read the available literature and take notes. Keep specific page references on all relevant data. Prepare a bibliography of sources used.

· Prepare a first draft of the case. Review several casebooks to get format ideas. Your case will need two literary elements—story and plot.

1. Story—The facts of the case need to be presented in an understandable and accurate way. The time period must be clear and occurrences should be presented in chronological order so that there is a logical time structure. As the case develops chronologically, add an expository structure, filling in descriptive background details, which are relevant to the case.
2. Plot—Build some drama and suspense into the case. Think of the “cast of characters” in the story, and develop them individually and as a group. Develop the clash of ideas or the consequences of the decision. Make the case interesting to read. Use short, concise sentences. Write in a narrative style. Use the past tense. Put all data possible in table form within the main text.

· Prepare a solution to the case, using all techniques applicable to your topic. State the symptoms of the situation and note where failures may have occurred. State the alternative courses of action and the pros and cons of each. Prepare solutions for each alternative. Select the best alternative, and support it.

· Edit the case and solution. Is the case clear and logical? Is it accurate? All facts referenced? Enough detail to arrive easily at the proposed solution? Interesting? Dynamic problem-solving situation?

· Check for grammatical errors. Review for ease of comprehension. Ask someone else to review and critique your materials.

As a study team member, you are aware that the final output is a completed case. It is the responsibility of the team to equitably divide the duties required to accomplish the task. The following are suggested study team member roles. In smaller teams, some members may have to take on more than one role.

· Group Leader: Responsible for writing the introduction and setting the tone for the case.
· Intro Writer: Will write the background narrative.
· Strategist: Responsible for writing the problem statement and material leading up to the conclusion of the case narrative.
· Research Coordinator: Will gather all pertinent data and provide it to case participants. Prepares bibliography.
· Analyst: Will develop the questions and answers to the case.

Key aspects of the finished international business case should include how the final version of the case addressed each of the following: research and introductory information provided, internal and external analysis performed, development of alternative solutions, final decision and rationale, strategy, grammar and writing style, appropriate referencing, neatness and technical form, and other appropriate aspects.

Grading Criteria
· A = 94 to 100
· B = 86 to 93
· C = 85 to 78
· D = 77 to 70
· F = below 70

Expectations
Attendance and participation is mandatory. Unexcused absences will result in the lowering of one letter grade. Two unexcused absences will result in failure of the course.

Brian Satterlee, Ed.D., D.B.A.
Danville	Virginia
(804) 791-5837
satterle@averett.edu

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Page Updated Tue Oct 3, 2000 1:07pm EDT