Universidad Pública de Navarra - Nafarroako Univertsitate Publikoa
Public University of Navarre
| Course code: 72941 | Subject title: International Business | ||||
| Credits: 3 | Type of subject: Mandatory | Year: 1 | Period: º | ||
| Department: Business Administration | |||||
| Lecturers: | |||||
| LIZARRAGA DALLO, FERMÍN [Mentoring ] | MARTIN MARTIN, OSCAR [Mentoring ] | ||||
Contents
This International Business course focuses on current and relevant issues affecting firms operating abroad. We first identify and discuss the determinants and consequences of the globalization process and examine the most enduring and salient differences across countries. We continue with a review of cultural, psychic and institutional distance as three of the most studied factors having a potential impact on firms' international strategies. We study later the two most critical international strategic decisions for firms operating abroad: market selection and entry modes. The fifth theme contains a reflection on the existence of multinational firms and outlines the ongoing debate on the contribution to value creation of headquarters and subsidiaries in the multinational company. The sixth topic deals with the relevance of innovation development and transfer in multinational firms. The last topic focuses on important issues in the field of international accountancy and finances such as accounting standards harmonization, foreign currency effects and country risk.
1. Globalization and differences across markets
1.1. The globalization process
1.2. Differences across markets
2. Cultural and institutional international business environment
2.1. Cultural and psychic distance and their measurement
2.2. Institutional distance and its measurement
3. International market and customer selection
3.1. Selection approaches
3.2. Selection methods
4. Entry modes in international markets
4.1. Non-equity entry modes
4.2. Equity entry modes
5. Managing the multinational firm
5.1. Theories of the multinational firm
5.2. Headquarters-subsidiary relationships in the MNC
6. Development and transfer of innovations in multinational firms
6.1. Innovation development
6.2. Innovation transfer
7. International accountancy and finances
7.1. Accounting Standards Harmonization
7.2. Foreign currency effects. Country risk
Descriptors
International business; globalization; international business environment; international strategic decisions; multinational companies (MNC); innovation in MNC; International accountancy and finances.
General proficiencies
Besides the basic competences (CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9 and CB10), the general competences are the following:
CG07 - Ability to search for and analyze information.
CG08 - Decision making skills.
CG09 - Teamwork skills.
CG11 - Work in an international environment.
CG12 - Interpersonal relationship skills.
CG13 - Commitment to ethical business.
CG15 - Ability to adapt to new situations.
CG16 - Creativity.
Specific proficiencies
CE09 - Ability to identify, develop, and evaluate marketing strategies based on knowledge of established objectives and market characteristics.
CE11 - Ability to retrieve and analyze information and write reports about the activities of the firm or department.
CE13 - Ability to elaborate improvement plans and corrective actions.
CE14 - Ability to understand, select and assess information and use it in decision-making processes.
CE15 - Ability to communicate effectively in business situations.
In addition, and more specifically, at the completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Identify major forces, differences and challenges within the global business environment
2. Analyze differences in the cultural and institutional international business environment
3. Apply critical thinking skills to analyze foreign opportunities
4. Recognize alternative entry modes and make international strategic decisions
5. Discuss different perspectives on the existence of multinational enterprises and the difficulties in the relationship between headquarters and subsidiaries
6. Identify international business situations that present potential complications due to ethical issues
7. Understand the role of innovation development and transfer in shaping and fostering the competitive advantage of multinational firms
8. Discuss relevant international accountancy and finances issues affecting multinationals
9. Conduct research using scholarly work and other sources of information to develop a strategic plan for expansion
Methodology
| Methodology - Activity | In class | Outside of the classroom |
| Lectures | 12 | |
| Practical sessions (cases, etc.) | 12 | |
| Assignments (individual and in group) | 24 | |
| Independent and private study and examination | 24 | |
| Tutorials | 03 | |
| Total | 24 | 51 |
Evaluation
| Aspect | Criteria | Instrument | Weight |
| In-class participation | Participation in the lectures Participation in the practical sessions |
Discussions of the main topics and concepts | 10% |
| Application of the subject matter to specific situations | Quality of the group reports, team performance, and individual contribution | In-group assignments | 20% |
| Implications of the main concepts in particular settings | Quality of the individual reports | Individual assignments | 10% |
| Knowledge, understanding and use of the subject matter | Minimum knowledge and understanding of subject matter (5 out of 10) | Written examinations on the subject matter and the case studies | 60% |
Bibliography
Access the bibliography that your professor has requested from the Library.
- Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G. and Riesenberger, J. R. (2014). International Business: The New Realities. 3rd edition. Pearson.
- Forsgren, Mats (2013). Theories of the multinational firm: A multidimensional creature in the global economy. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.
- Hollensen, Svend (2013). Global Marketing - A Decision-oriented Approach. 6th edition. Pearson.
- Kieso, E., Weygandt, Jerry J. and T.D. Warfield (2011). Intermediate Accounting. IFRS Edition. Wiley.
- Wild, J. J. and Wild, K. L. (2014). International Business: The Challenges of Globalization. 7th edition. Pearson.