International business and management (2017/2018)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to analyse international business and management in a comprehensive and complete framework, presenting the chal-langes of globalization.
The course in divided into two parts: A and B. In the first part (part A) after introducing the rele-vance of culture, politics, law and business ethics students will learn the main economic systems and trends. They will understand the benefits of the main regional economic integration and the importance of FDI. In the second part of the course (part B) students will understand the influence of globalization to companies and their economy at a micro level point of view. Internal processes from production to logistic, from sales and marketing to human resource management will be analysed. Students will learn and discuss about the organization and management of both multinational enterprises (MNE) and SMEs, that are the backbone of Italian economy.
This study will consider the internationalization process both on the strategic and operative point of view, giving students the ability for preparing a detailed analysis on both costs and revenues.
Terminology, economic and organizational theories and adequate examples and case study will be given to students (also beginners) in order to approach at the topic with a "real" holistic way.
At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to argue about main opportunities, threats and risks associated to international business;
- to design and discuss potential paths for developing international business both under the strategic and operative point fo view;
- to critically appraise the benefits deriving from internationalization for big companies and SMEs
The course is taught in ENGLISH.

The course covers these topics (both for attending and non attending students, into brachet is underlined the chapter of the textbook to be studied):
- Globalization (CH01)
- Cross-cultural business (CH02)
- Politics, law and business ethics (CH03)
- Economics and emerging markets (CH04)
- International trade (CH05)
- Business government trade relations (CH06)
- Foreign direct investments (CH07)
- Regional economic integration (CH08)
- International strategy and organization (CH11)
- Analysing international opportunities (CH12)
- Selecting and managing entry modes (CH13)
- Developing and marketing products (CH14)
- Managimg international operations (CH15)
- Hiring and managing employees (CH16)

Those topics will be discussed in a set of front lessons (according to the timetable of the course).
A couple of invited spekers will present their casestudy of internationalization.
Students (bot attending and non attending) will found integrative materials in a specific FOLDER of the course in MYUNIVR platform.
Students (both ATTENDING and NON ATTENDING) must study the full TEXBOOK (WILD) excluding Chapters 9 and 10 only.
In MYUNIVR platform students will find: the index of the textbook, slides of the lectures, additional slides, the calendar of additional lectures on Business Plan MODULE (not compulsory), a few open question and multiple chioce question in order to silulate the examination.

During the lessons students may be asked to discuss together a specific business case (individually or in groups).

The course will be held between October and December.

The teacher is available for Q&A:
1. at the and of the lectures;
2. in a specific meeting with students (see institutional webpage).

The language of the examination is English. Online registration is required 3 days before the examination date.

The examination intends to verify: a. the preparation of the student over the topics mentioned in the program and b. its ability to apply models and solutions in a "real word".

The examination is written. For ATTENDING students it includes: 1. open questions (40% of final grade), 2. multiple choice questions (40% of final grade) and 3. project works (20%) that will be held during the period of the lessons.
For NON ATTENDING students it includes: 1. open questions (40% of final grade), 2. multiple choice questions (60% of final grade).
Each question has a specific score indicated near the question (from 1 to 4). The maximum score is 30 marks.

After passing the written exmination the student MAY ask for an additional oral examination to modify (max +/- 3 marks) the previous score.

BUSINESS PLAN MODULE (2 ECTS ) - 2 more marks may be given to students that have PASSED the BUSINESS PLAN MODULE. The BP module, wich require a practical project work in groups, is planned between November and Jannuary for maximum 20 students.

ERASMUS/World Wide STUDENTS are invited to contact the teacher at the begining of the lectures (September).

STUDENT MODULE EVALUATION - 2017/2018