44163-Coleman
MIS 44163 Spring 2015
CRN 15610
Global Business Management
Kent State University
Time: Wednesday 5:30- 8:15pm
Classroom: COB 215
PROFESSOR: Robert Coleman
E-mail: rcolem12@kent.edu
Phone: 440-463-1811
Office Hours: Wednesdays at 4:15-5:15 pm Room A410 College of Business
READING MATERIALS:
Required: Multinational Management, A strategic Approach. 5th or 6th edition.
John B. Cullen and K. Praveen Parboteeah
ISBN-10: 1-285-09494-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-285-09494-6
2014, 2011 South Western, Cengage Learning
Also required is access to the Wall Street Journal as we will be discussing and applying concepts to real
life current international business events. You can subscribe for $1.00 per week for the semester @
WSJ.com/spring 15.
Select articles will be available on Library E reserves( password is global25)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will combine contemporary global management concepts with practical application to
improve your abilities to effectively function in an international business environment. We will examine
how strategic and implementation challenges are uniquely different for global businesses and improve
your knowledge of the key success factors and ability to apply them to real world situations. This course
will challenge you to integrate and synthesize previous learnings from multiple functional disciplines and
effectively apply them in a global business context.
The primary topics covered will include:
Foundations of Multinational Management
o Global economy/dynamics/trends
o Culture and management implications
o National/Institutional Context
Strategy Concepts and Execution
o Strategic models/frameworks
o Global entry modes
o Entrepreneurship
Organizational Design Implications
o Structural options
o Strategic alliances
o E commerce
Human Resource Management
o Multinational challenges
o Negotiations & communications
o Leadership styles/models
This is designed as a writing intensive course requiring multiple writing assignments with feedback
throughout the semester culminating in a written globalization business plan paper.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:
(1) Gain an understanding of the global business environment and what is uniquely different from
domestic enterprises.
(2) Develop an appreciation of diverse global cultures/institutions and their impact on effective
strategy and execution.
(3) Expand knowledge of strategic models and improve strategic analysis and decision making skills
through case analysis discussions and write ups.
(4) Demonstrate ability to apply course learning to real life global business situations.
(5) Strengthen ability to concisely communicate your thoughts while also constructively engaging
colleagues in group discussions and debate.
(6) Improve business writing skills through multiple case write ups and a comprehensive
globalization project paper. Focus will be on both content and presentation.
CLASS FORMAT:
The course will consist of lectures, chapter assignments, case study analysis and write ups, class
discussions and a real world business globalization project.
Each week you will be assigned chapters to read and brief assignments to prepare. My lectures will
review and extend what you have read with three primary objectives:
(1) Reinforce main concepts
(2) Discover and clarify any questions and misconceptions
(3) Explore current, real-life examples of the topic whenever possible
Cases will be used to apply concepts/tools to actual business situations. Some cases will be for in class
discussions only but there will be three formal case write ups representing 30% of the semester grade.
For in class discussions my role will be as facilitator guiding he process and asking questions. Students
are expected to actively participate by being fully prepared and taking ownership for active class
discussion.
Discussion questions and required case analysis format and deliverables will be provided when actual
cases are assigned.
WORK EXPECTATIONS/PARTICIPATION:
Thoughtful preparation in advance for all chapter and case discussions is critical to maximize the benefit
of the group interaction and learning process.
For each class session, you are expected to be prepared as follows:
(1) Have read the assigned chapter ( and case when applicable)
(2) Prepare any chapter assignments to turn in for participation credit
(3) Actively participate in class discussions
Ask questions
Lead a discussion
Contribute to a discussion
Be prepared to be called upon
Active in-class engagement represents a significant portion of your grade. Participation credit will be
evaluated based on:
Knowledge of assigned readings
Evidence of analysis related to cases
Active listening and constructively challenging others
Ability to discern facts from opinions
Supporting conclusions with facts and analysis
You must be an active, effective, and consistent contributor to get a good participation grade by the end of
the term. I will be keeping track of individual contributions with the aid of assigned seating and credit
participation as follows:
Absent: (-2) points. Attendance is very important for effective group discussion. Everyone will be
granted one unexcused absence but beyond that it will compromise the participation grade.
Present/Prepared: 1 points. Completing the assigned homework which will be frequently collected (in
class only) is a source of participation credit. However, your submittal must show true effort and
comprehension of the material to receive a point of credit.
Session Contributor: 2 point. When you contribute (voluntarily or prompted by the professor) useful
ideas, questions and /or comments in class you will get additional credit for the session This will be based
on quality and not quantity of inputs. Be prepared for and plan to contribute to every class.
Your final participation score will be the sum of your points in all sessions. I will provide an indication
of your score at mid-term but will not be updating it weekly.
Full term Participation points will correspond to the following grades:
21+ A
16-20 B
11-15 C
6-10 D
< 6 F
GRADING:
Examinations: 30%
First Exam 10%
Second Exam 10%
Final Exam 10%
Case Write-Ups (3): 30%
Globalization Project 25%
Participation: 15%
GRADING SCALE:
Grading will be on a +/- scale as follows:
93.34 - 100.00% A
90.00 - 93.33% A-
86.67 - 89.99% B+
83.34 - 86.66% B
80.00 - 83.33% B-
76.67 - 79.99% C+
73.34- 76.66% C
70.00 - 73.33% C-
66.67 - 69.99% D+
60.00 - 66.66% D
00.00- 59.99% F
Final grades will be converted to GPA using the University guidelines.
4.0 A
3.7 A-
3.3 B+
3.0 B
2.7 B-
2.3 C+
2.0 C
1.7 C-
1.3 D+
1.0 D
0.0 F
CASE WRITE-UPS:
Three integrative case write ups will be assigned. You will be required to answer specific case questions
with as much clarity and insight as possible. I will specifically be looking for:
1. Your ability to use and apply the appropriate global management concepts and tools relating to
the topic.
2. Demonstrating insightful analysis of the facts to draw well supported conclusions that flow
logically with strong thesis statements and conclusions.
3. Succinctly written as a clear, easily understood, and persuasive executive summary.
Professional quality is essential. Consider yourself presenting this paper to senior management and expect
to be evaluated on the presentation (structure, appearance, grammar) quality as well as the content/
critical thinking.
Format:
Include cover page with case title, your name, date
Use 1” margins and 12 pt font
Not to exceed five pages (including cover)
All papers must be printed out and handed in at the beginning of class on the due date. No emailing of
papers.
Globalization Project:
You will select a real life business (product or service) and create a business plan to globalize into a
selected country/region using the key concepts and tools learned throughout the course. You will be
provided an outline of the key business plan elements to include but you will have significant flexibility
to be creative in your approach. It will require you to conduct research on the selected company, targeted
country, competitive environment and local market dynamics to effectively assess the opportunity and
make specific recommendations on how to enter the new market and successfully create a competitive
advantage.
Your business/country will be defined and approved by the end of September, your value proposition
will be submitted for feedback by late November, and the final globalization plan paper will be due at the
end of the semester.
Similar to the case write ups, you will be evaluated on both content and presentation quality. You will be
demonstrating your ability to properly analyze both the company and target market and use the learnings
from the class to create a persuasive proposal for a successful international expansion.
Format:
Include cover page with title, your name, date
1”margins and 12pt font
Not to exceed 3000 words
COURSE POLICIES
LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments may be turned in prior to the due date for full credit. Late work without advance
arrangements due to special circumstances will receive no credit. Assignments are due at beginning of
class on the date noted.
MISSED CLASSES:
Missed classes will directly impact your participation grade. In case of unavoidable absence, contact your
team members for any notes and assignments.
MISSED TESTS:
It is your responsibility to be in class at the assigned date and time for each exam (unless arrangements
were made in advance for an alternative time—see Test Make-up Policy below). In order to adhere to
standards of professionalism and academic rigor, as well as out of fairness to students that meet course
requirements, there will be no make-up tests for missed exams. The only exception to this policy might
be under the rare circumstance of a last-minute emergency (i.e., accident, sudden illness, etc.)-see
“unplanned absences” below.
TEST MAKE-UP:
Since tests are scheduled during regular class periods or during the exam week, there should be no time
conflicts with other classes. Hence, make-up tests will be arranged only under extenuating circumstances
that justify your absence. There are two types of justified exam absences:
Planned absences: If you do have an unavoidable time conflict (e.g., job interview trip,
intercollegiate sports team travel), speak to me well in advance of the scheduled test date to make
arrangements for an alternate time. There will be no make-up tests provided due to planned absences
unless arrangements are made with me at least a week in advance of the test date. Also, no make-up test
will be permitted more than one week after the regularly scheduled test date.
Unplanned absences: If an unplanned circumstance (i.e., illness or medical emergency) were to
occur that makes you unable to attend an exam, you (or someone on your behalf) must get in touch with
me as soon as possible, via phone or e-mail (indicating a phone number where you or the contact person
can be reached). You will also need to provide a doctor’s note or other proper verification of the
confining emergency. Make-up tests will be provided only if and when your inability to physically attend
the scheduled exam has been established.
University Policies
Academic Honesty: Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic
work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. In addition, it is considered to
cheating when one cooperates with someone else in any such misrepresentation. The use of the intellectual
property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense. It is the University's
policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course. Repeat offenses
result in dismissal from the University.
Withdrawal Deadline: Every class has its own schedule of deadlines and considerations. To view the
add/drop schedule and other important dates for this class, go to the Student Tools & Courses tab in
FlashLine and choose either View or Print Student Schedule. To see the deadlines for this course, click on
the CRN or choose the Drop or Add a Course link and click on the green clock next to the course under
Registration Deadlines.
Disabled Students: University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided
reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented
disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to
make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your
eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit
http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/ for more information on registration procedures).
Enrollment/Official Registration: Students have responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in
classes. You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Student Tools on FlashLine) during the
first two weeks of the semester to ensure you are properly enrolled in this class and section. Should you find
an error in your class schedule, you have until Jan 25 to correct the error. If registration errors are not
corrected by this date and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially
enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class
in which you are not properly registered.
Graduation: If you are eligible to graduate, it is your responsibility to apply for graduation before the set
deadline (May Graduation: Apply before September 15th August Graduation: Apply before December
15th December Graduation: Apply before March 15th) If you apply after the deadline you will be
assessed a $200 late fee. Please see your academic advisor as soon as possible if you are uncertain as to
your progress toward graduation. To apply for graduation complete the following steps: Log onto your
Flashline account 1. Click on the Student Tools tab, 2. Look in the Graduation Planning Tool Box, 3.
Click on Application for Graduation. If an error message appears, you must contact your advisor.
Note: Material in syllabus should be considered nominal and subject to change due to various constraints
such as weather, illness, or other unexpected issues.
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
1 1/14 Course Overview Read Syllabus
Intro to Multinational Mgt. (MNM) Read Chapter 1
2 1/21 Cultural Impacts on MNM Read Chapters 2 & 3
Institutional Context Prepare Study Questions
3 1/28 Ethical/Social Responsibility Read Chapter 4
Prepare Study Questions
Google in China Case Discussion Read/Prepare Google in China Case
4 2/4 Case #1 Class Discussion Case #1 Write Up due
(Org and National Culture in Polish/ Read Article: Global Strategy
U.S Joint Venture) Requires Meeting of Minds
Article Review/Discussion Prepare Study Questions
5 2/11 Article Review/Discussion Read Article: Tailoring Strategy
Exam #1 Prep (Chpt 1-4) To Fit the Culture
Prepare Study Questions
6 2/18 Exam #1 Read Chapter 5
Strategic Management Prepare Study Questions
7 2/25 Exam #1 Results Review Read/Prepare Harley Davidson Case
Harley Davidson Case Discussion Globalization Project Selection Due
8 3/4 MNM Entry Methods Read Chapter 6
Globalization project feedback Prepare Study Questions
9 3/11 Case #2 Class Discussion (Tata Motors) Case #2 Write Up due
Small Business/Entrepreneurship Read Chapter 7
Prepare Study Questions
10 3/18 Organization Structure & Design Read Chapter 8
Read Article: Have You Restructured
for Global Success?
Prepare Study Questions
Global Project Value Proposition Due
11 3/25 Spring Break -- No Class
12 4/1 Strategic Alliances Read Chapter 9 & 10
E Commerce Prepare Study Questions
Case #3 Class Discussion (Whirlpool) Case #3 Write Up Due
Exam #2 Prep ( Chpt 5-10)
13 4/8 Exam #2 Read Chapter 11 & 12
Human Resource Mgt & Local Context Prepare Study Questions
14 4/15 Exam #2 Results Review Read chapter 13
Negotiations & Communication Prepare Study Questions
Globalization Project Progress
15 4/22 Discuss American in China Case Read/Prepare An American
Outside Speaker Negotiating in China Case
16 4/29 Motivation & Leadership Read Chapter 14 & 15
Prep for Final Exam Globalization Project Due
17 5/6 Final Exam 5:45-8:00pm
Note:Password for Library Articles is global25
