REDEEMER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Department of Business

BUS 363
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

FALL 2013

Instructor: Dr. Vahagn Asatryan

Office: 219H
Phone: 648 2139 X 4476
E-mail: vasatryan@redeemer.ca

Class meeting times: TTh 3:30 – 4:45 p.m., ROOM 212C

Office hours: M, W, F – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., OR by appointment (stop by to see me)

Course description: A broad introduction to international business in the contemporary

world. The course covers a range of material touching in the international environment and
operational issues encountered by firms doing business in that environment.

Welcome to BUS 363! In this course you will master various dimensions of managerial
decision-making in international business environment including: an overview of world
economies, international trade theories, tariffs, quotas and other trade issues, global strategic
planning, cross-cultural management, international market entry, international human
resource management, international organization strategy, international logistics,
import/export operations, currency exchange, international financial management, and many
others. Current developments in global economic and business as well as the international
movement of Business as Missions (BAM) are emphasized.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Depth and Breadth of Knowledge

a. Understand how business’s global role of providing employment, goods, and services is
interrelated to the history, beliefs, customs, and practices of Western culture as well as
other cultures.

b. Understand how International Business has been shaped by historical forces related to
market behaviours such as globalization, free and fair trade, regional as well as
international political and military conflicts; philosophical ideas, including political
ideologies, theories of corporation and strategies, Biblical principles for business, ethical
decision making frameworks, cultures and beliefs, and systems, including economic,
political, and legal systems such as civil and theocratic law, cultural developments, as well
as international monetary systems; and understand various religious commitments and
worldviews that have shaped World cultures (e.g., Islam, Hinduism, etc.).

c. Understand how Christian inquiry into the nature of human life applies to International
Business. Articulate and utilize the Reformed tradition in your analyses and outputs in an
appreciative and critical way that applies its principles but adapts them as appropriate to
fit today’s world.

d. Understand and critically evaluate the key concepts (export and import operations,
foreign currency exchanges and trade, foreign direct investment, etc.), recent

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 developments (globalization, technological progress, economic and political integration,
etc.), theoretical approaches (e.g., international trade theories such as mercantilism,
comparative advantage, Heckscher-Ohlin framework, etc.), and assumptions in
International Business.

e. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of business and how International Business is

interconnected to Marketing, Human Resource Management, Accounting, Operations
management and other business disciplines.

f. Acquire a detailed knowledge of International Business and a level of research, analysis,

writing, or creative output that suggests readiness to pursue the field beyond the
undergraduate level in studies or employment.

g. Gather, review, evaluate, and interpret information relevant to International Business; and
compare the merits of alternative solutions to problems, concepts, management
techniques, theoretical approaches, and creative options.

h. Demonstrate critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, technical, and creative skills.

2. Knowledge of Methodologies

Acquire an understanding of methods of inquiry or creative activity, or both, in International

Business that enables you to:

a. Discern philosophical and worldview assumptions imbedded in its paradigms and

conceptual frameworks, and articulate how theories and methodologies are shaped by a
worldview;

b. Discern valid insights in such paradigms and concepts, and evaluate how they can be
used with integrity within a Christian frame of reference; and

c. Formulate arguments, solve problems, or produce creative outputs using these methods
of inquiry or creative activity; and describe and analyze current research in the field.

3. Application of knowledge

a. Review, present, and interpret information, qualitative and quantitative analyses,

evidence, and creative outputs to:
i. Develop lines of argument;
ii. Make sound judgments and decisions that effectively utilize appropriate data,
information, and frameworks;
iii. Refine underlying concepts, principles, and techniques of analysis to fit the situation in a
holistic manner;
iv. Where appropriate, use the refined concepts, principles, and techniques to forge new
understandings in the decision-making or creative process.

b. Use technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills and techniques to:

i. Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, concepts, information, and qualitative and
quantitative analyses.
ii. Frame appropriate questions for the purpose of solving problems.
iii. Propose and evaluate alternative solutions.
iv. Make recommendations.
v. Develop implementation plans.

c. Possess dexterity in making critical use of primary sources to prepare a presentation”,

write a critical country report, analyze a case study, etc.)

4. Communication skills

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Communicate information, arguments, and analyses accurately, reliably, winsomely, and with
conviction to the professor, classmates, orally by means of participating in class
discussions, making a presentation, engaging in role-playing exercises, and in writing by
means of case reports and country analysis reports.

5. Awareness of Limits of knowledge

Develop a humble attitude that balances your God-given ability to understand God’s created
order with a realization that your knowledge, skills, and attempts to discern truth, right,
and wrong cannot be fully developed until Christ returns.

6. Maturity and Professional Capacity

a. Acquire qualities and transferable skills necessary for further study, employment, and
community involvement, requiring:
i. Exercising initiative, personal responsibility, and accountability;
ii. Working effectively with others, especially those from different cultures; and
iii. Decision-making and leadership in complex cultural and ethical contexts and
situations.

b. Develop life-long learning skills that are necessary to adapt to a changing global
environment.

c. Adopt study and classroom behaviours and integrity consistent of students in a

professional discipline who are committed to faithfully serving God and others.

METHOD OF TEACHING / LEARNING

Or Why do I need to be in class for this course?

Students will master the subject through lectures, case studies, individual and group
exercises, class discussions, debates, newspaper articles, RSS feeds, video clips and other
reading materials. Your participation in these activities is expected and graded. It will also
enhance the mastery of course material.

RESOURCES
1. Course textbook: Hill, C. W. and McKaig, T. 2008. Global Business Today. Second
Canadian edition. McGraw Hill - Ryerson. ISBN-13:978-0-07-098411-0.
2. Required: Discovery site set-up for this class.
3. Additional reading materials may be assigned to complement the textbook.

EXPECTATIONS / COURSE POLICY

Your active involvement in class activities and contribution to discussions as well as

generation of new knowledge AND acquisition of new skills is expected in this class. We will
use DISCOVERY in this course, where I will post handouts and readings.
Classroom environment is supposed to reflect the highest standards set by the
academic traditions and reputation of the University. Come prepared for in-class activities,
such as discussions and presentations. Business attire is recommended.

Distractions such as late attendance, early departure, newspaper reading, and/or

cellular phone operations will not be tolerated. Students who do not follow this standard will
be asked to leave the room immediately.

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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Please read the Policy on Academic Integrity found in the Academic Calendar. The policy
applies to you whether or not you have read it. Any student who violates this policy and
commits a breach of academic integrity will be treated in accordance with the policy.

EVALUATION/GRADES

The assignments consist of class participation, three student class presentations, one
project, one project presentation, one test, and one final exam. All assignments must be
submitted in this format: Times New Roman font type, 12 font size, and double spaced.
Assignments are due in the beginning of the class period, unless specified otherwise. Late
assignments will suffer a 10% grade reduction for the first 24 hrs, another 10% grade
reduction for the next 24 hrs, and receive Zero credit after that.

Evaluation (Total = 100%)

Due Date Due

Date
Participation 20% Student class 15%
presentations
Project 20% Test 15%
Project 5% Final exam. 25%
Presentation

Participation (20%)

You will earn credit by actively participating in class-room activities (i.e., brainstorming,
small group discussion, interactive exercises, games, etc.). Your participation will be evaluated
based on thoroughness of preparation and the depth of thought. Comprehensive contribution
on note cards distributed in the end of the class period is also included in this category.

Reading and preparing for discussion are CRUCIAL for your success in this class. I
recommend printing the assigned material, highlighting / making notes as you read, and
attempting to answer the questions posed in the syllabus (when available). FAILURE to
complete the reading assigned for the day will result in an automatic zero for the participation
grade for that day. Refer to the “Business Program’s Guidelines for Class Participation
(2013/14)” document for details on how this aspect of your grade will be assessed.

Project (20% - including a Presentation) – 18-20 pages

Your group will pick a country of your choice or upon my recommendation (except the
USA: hint – pick a major trade partner of Canada), conduct research, and prepare a report in
the format outlined below. You will use numerous outside resources as well as the textbook
materials to complete this assignment.

Note: students may work on an alternative research or application project.

Project outline (see expanded version on DISCOVERY):

1. Country Overview -- A survey of the country's history (very briefly), current political
and social systems, and legal issues as well as freedom of religious expression.
2. Culture and Ethics Briefing -- A survey of cultural practices important for the visitor to
be aware of and a guide to cross-cultural success in the country.
3. Business Practices -- Assess current business practices and analysis of market
opportunities available to foreign companies. (Evaluate (briefly) possibilities for BAM).

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 4. The Management Scene -- Assess organization, human resource management and
general management issues facing domestic and transnational companies in the
country.
5. Financial and Currency Market -- an analysis of the country's economic system,
financial, currency, and accounting practices, and foreign trade policies.

Presentations can be no longer than 10 minutes (8-10 min). Address your quality
presentation to the Vice President of International Operations (see handout on DISCOVERY). –
5% of course grade.

Each group will make a project presentation (to the entire class at the end of the
course and distribute a 5-7-page (double spaced) executive summary of the project.

ADDITIONAL

International trade project (individual or group with the permission of the instructor) 10%. The
purpose of this practical project/exercise is to familiarize the students with basic concepts,
mechanisms, and processes of International Trade. It is also to develop better understanding of the
gains of bilateral and multilateral trade in the era of Globalization and the new rules governing the
WTO. Each student is required to select a country, which is a major trade partner of the U.S.A., and
represent it (as its commercial officer or the trade attaché) to the US-TR, In your oral presentation,
develop the following:

1. Promotion of one product for which the country you represent has the competitive advantage

2. Defense of a tariff policy adopted by the country you represent to protect a particular product or
industry

You may use the attached publications by the U.S. Trade Information Center “Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers” as a resource guide. You may ask for an interview with the country
commercial officer or trade attaché in preparing your project.

Plan your presentation not to exceed 10 minutes and be ready to answer one or two questions from the
floor. The written part should not exceed eight typed pages double-spaced with footnotes and
Bibliography of all the sources you used. You may develop one or two graphs or use statistics to
support your assumptions. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me to discuss your paper!

Group Class Presentation (15%)

The groups are responsible for chapter presentations covering the content of the topics
in the chapter with any additional information or experiences student-presenters want to
share. Students need to explain the chapter to their peers (other students) in their own words,
analyzing and becoming the expert on the content of the topic. USE AT LEAST 3 NON-
TEXTBOOK SOURCES. I will assign your group’s topics.
Each group must also submit a 5-6 page report-memo to the VP of International
Operations explaining the topic, discussing its advantages and disadvantages, and providing
recommendations for actions. (BOLSHE VESA etim Urokam I rigor0.

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Test and exam (40%)

There are two exams, not cumulative, each of which will cover chapters covered in the
classes before the day of the exam with a focus on key concepts of each chapter. The exams
may also cover various in-class activities as well as guest speaker presentations conducted
during the regular class meetings, so stay focused and alert during the class period. The exam
format is multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and brief analysis

Grading Scale

See Academic Calendar (p. 38) for guidance.

“Instruction ends in the schoolroom, but education ends only with life”
F. W. Robertson

Key to Terms on Schedule

Critical thinking – read/follow instructions in the assignment and come prepared for
in-class activities.

Self-study – learn at your own pace – the info. On these pages may be used for in-
class discussion and debates, as well as the exams.

Quest – is a micro-project that requires some preliminary but minor research

beforehand for a productive discussion in class. Credit goes toward your participation
grade. You can be randomly called for an answer to a Quest. You must document
your activity – print it to possibly hand in or have it ready to e-mail me upon
request in class.

Video/Audio – (relax…) - in class only (with a discussion to follow).

Read – read and come prepared for discussion on that day. Pay attention to questions I
post in the syllabus. (NOTE: additional questions may be added via DISCOVERY discussion
feature).

Debate – come prepared to debate a position in class – assigned readings should help
with the debate question(s) which is usually found in the syllabus (under Topics). See
DISCOVERY.