BUSA 3000 / Globalization and Business Practices

CRN: 83687

Mon—Fri 9:00am—11:20am

Summer 2016

INSTRUCTOR: Yimai Zhang

Office: 35 Broad Street, Suite 1450

Office Hours: By appointment

TEXT: International Business: Strategy, Management, and the New Realities by S. Tamer Cavusgil, Gary Knight, John R. Riesenberger, Pearson Prentice-Hall, Third Custom Edition for Georgia State. Copyright 2014. (ISBN 10: 1-269-88530-8; ISBN 13: 978-1-269-88530).

Required:Reading the business section of foreign newspapers for your assigned country and other information sources about this country (suggested places to start: ,

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines worldwide integration of economic, political, and socio-cultural aspects of business in order to explore and understand the impact of globalization on countries, organizations, and individuals. Students develop a world-view of the global marketplace. They learn how knowledge and understanding of the global environment affect business functions. Special consideration is given to key issues in ethics, global social responsibility and technology.

COURSE SECTION POLICIES

COURSE OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Develop thought processes and analytical skills essential to a global mindset.
  2. Practice critical thinking by keeping current with global events and discussing their implications.
  3. Understand the role of globalization in shaping the business environment and assess trends, challenges and opportunities created by the globalization of business practices.
  4. Identify complexities introduced by globalization and integrate concepts learned in this class with those acquired in other courses.
  5. Identify and evaluate major issues related to ethics and social responsibility in the international arena. Critically evaluate various components of a national environment: technological, cultural, economic, political, and legal systems, and their influence on business practices and strategies.
  6. Examine trade and investment theories and patterns, and critically evaluate the role of governments and their impact on the international business environment.
  7. Critically evaluate the role of trade and investment agreements and other forms of regional economic integration on local and national economies.
  8. Apply the concepts learned and knowledge gained in the case of specific international organizations.
  9. Develop researchand writing skills.

COURSE METHODOLOGY

The central theme of this class will be the study and evaluation of the international business environment. The primary teaching vehicles are lectures, class discussions, videos, speakers, team projects, and a term paper. You must read the designated text material and all other assigned readings before each class session.

ATTENDANCE AND PREPARATION: The attendance policy for BUSA 3000 is firm. Do not ask the instructor to make any exception to this policy.

Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance is based on the entire period. Tardiness and partial attendance (for example being present only before or after break) is considered an absence and will affect your final grade. Legitimate reasons for being absent are (1) illness - note from doctor required; (2) death in family - copy of death notice; (3) jury duty - bring official notice from court; (4) religious holidays. Students must make arrangements with their employers to leave work in plenty of time to attend all classes. Missing any class due to business requirements is not a legitimate absence. Legitimate absences count toward the one absence limit. You are responsible for signing the attendance sheet. If you do not personally sign, you are counted as absent. Each class missed after missing 2 may result in a 2% reduction in your contribution grade.

As a courtesy, please inform the instructor in advance if you will not be attending a given class, will be arriving late or have to leave early.

Also, your instructor must be informed in advance before any exam is missed. Failure to notify the instructor before missing an exam will lead to a grade of zero (0) on that exam.

Your instructor is not responsible for briefing you on any missed class. Please rely on MyRobinson/uLearn, email, the discussion board, and/or your teammates.

DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS: Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which accommodations are sought. Please let me know if you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation.

MISCELLANEOUS POLICIES: Show respect for the instructor and your classmates:

  • Be punctual for class –- when you’re tardy, you miss important course announcements and you disrupt the learning process for others. If you do arrive late, enter and take a seat quietly.
  • Be courteous -- do not engage in behaviors that disrupt the class. Turn off all cell phones, iPhones and blackberries and use a computer only to access course materials.
  • Participate in class discussion and group activities, but don’t interrupt other students or attempt to dominate the conversation. Stay focused on the assigned topic.
  • Tent Cards --you are to prepare a tent card with your name dark enough and large enough so that your instructor can read it and become familiar with you by name as quickly as possible. You will place your tent card in a visible place every class session.
  • Overflows – no overflows are available for BUSA 3000

LATE WORK: No late work or make-up presentations will be accepted. Please do not ask for any exception to this policy.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS: No make-up exams will be given, and absolutely no additional projects are assigned in order to increase one’s grade before or after the final exam. Please refer to the Request for Final Exam Variance for BUSA 3000regarding policies pertaining to the final exam Variance (conflicting issues about dates and times).

GSU ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: All university and college regulations concerning academic honesty shall apply. In general, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The university assumes as a minimum standard of conduct in academic matters that students be honest and that they submit for credit only the products of their own efforts.

It is particularly important that students read and understand the portions of the University Policy on Academic Honesty that relate to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsification, and multiple submissions. The University Policy on Academic Honesty is explained in detail in the student handbook, On Campus, available online at . This Policy represents a core value of the University. All members of the University community are responsible for knowing and abiding by its tenets. Students are expected to carefully review the online Policy prior to undertaking any research or other assignments.

Abstracted from Student Handbook Student Code of Conduct “Policy on Academic Honesty” at

Behavior consistent with College and University policies on academic honesty and treatment of members of the University community is expected of all. Cheating, plagiarizing, submitting the material for credit in more than one class, and other deceptive conduct with respect to a student’s work output will be dealt with according to the University Policy on Academic Honesty.

Plagiarism and misrepresentation of work are serious offenses, which can lead to expulsion and a grade of “F” for the course. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, taking material from any source written by another and presenting it as your own by failing to indicate full and accurate attribution to the correct author/creator. This includes marginally altering material taken from another source and calling it your own creation. Plagiarism includes materials taken from internet sources. Proper citation requires quote marks or other distinctive set-off for the material, followed directly by a reference to the source. The source details may be in the footnotes/endnotes/references section, but only listing a reference without proper indication in the text is not proper attribution and can be considered plagiarism. Misrepresentation of work includes, but is not limited to, presenting material that was prepared for another class or outside work as an original work product that was produced for this class. All work turned in for this class is represented by the student(s) to be original material prepared in fulfillment of this course’s requirements.

Students are encouraged to discuss freely with faculty any questions they may have pertaining to the provisions of the Policy on Academic Honesty prior to submitting assignments. Lack of knowledge of the contents of the University Policy on Academic Honesty is not an acceptable defense to any charge of academic dishonesty.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT: Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State. Upon completing the course, please take time to fill out the online course evaluation on GoSolar as soon as it becomes available.

D2L Brightspace ABILITY, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

You are expected to be proficient in the use of D2L Brightspace. Specifically, you should be able to read, upload, and download files; read and send e-mail messages, read and post messages on the discussion board; and hold chat room discussions. A good place to start is:D2L . Please refer to this website for logon instructions if you are new to uLearn. You are also expected to check the Brightspace page daily for any changes, updates, and announcements. You are responsible for accessing and downloading all files needed. If you have any problems downloading or viewing files of any type or size from uLearn, please use one of the GSU computer labs. Lab attendants and/or uLearn experts (and not your instructor) are responsible for assisting you with any problems related to uLearn. Please see for more information on where to get help.

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

EXAMINATION:One common final exam for all BUSA3000 sections, covers Chapters 1 – 4 and 7-8. Exams may be a combination of any of the following: multiple choice, true/false, scenarios, definitions, short answers, and/or essays.

QUIZZES: You may have up to two per week. There are no make-ups for quizzes. Missed quizzes are graded zero. Quizzes can be given at any time during the class. Quizzes will be in-class and unannounced.

ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS

The course requirements are as follows:

CASE DISCUSSION: Each chapter of the textbook ends with a case. The purpose is to learn how to apply international business principles to specific situations. Students are responsible for coming to class prepared to discuss these cases as part of the class sessions on the respective chapters. The case discussion is a key component to the class participation grade.

INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS: At the end of the semester, a group of students will do a short, 5-minute presentation about the country that they researched. Students will start with a brief overview of the country and then share with the class the three most interesting things that they learned.

PARTICIPATION:Your class participation grade will be based on the quality of your contributions, which is strongly encouraged. Complete all assignments on time. Be prepared to discuss the chapters, the international newspaper articles, the cases, the videos, and all other supplemental material. More importantly, you should be able to support your arguments using the text and other readings. In this class, you are expected to contribute by asking engaging questions, participating in class discussions, and sharing relevant examples, experiences and news with your classmates.

GRADING POLICY:

ITEM / POINTS / PERCENTAGE
Quizzes / 25 / 25%
Project Presentation / 25 / 25%
Final Exam / 25 / 25%
Meaningful Contribution / 25 / 25%
TOTAL POINTS / 100 / 100%
100-98% / A+
93-97 / A / 77-79 / C+
90-92 / A- / 73-76 / C
87-89 / B+ / 70-72 / C-
83-86 / B / 60-69 / D
80-82 / B- / 0-59 / F

TENTATIVECOURSE SCHEDULE

The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary. Your instructor will keep you informed of any changes through in-class announcements, MyRobinson, uLearn, or e-mail.

Date / Topic
July
6
6 / Discuss syllabus, class policies, uLearn & other Internet resources; organize country analysis teams, make country assignments, discuss schedule for the final exam and the procedure to address conflicts (variance exam)
Address class members’ concerns about any part of the syllabus
Review Assignments
Intro to course, background for international business (“IB”)
What Is International Business
– Chapter 1
7 / What Is International Business
– Chapter 1
Case Discussion: Internationalization at Harley-Davidson
8, 11
11 / Globalization of Markets and the Internationalization of the Firm
- Chapter 2
Case Discussion: Debating the Merits of Globalization
Quiz: Chapter 1 & Content covered in Chapter 2
12-14
15 / Organizational Participants that Make International Business Happen
- Chapter 3
Case Discussion: DHL, FedEx, and UPS: Shifting Fortunes in the Global Logistics Services Industry
Quiz: Chapter 2-3
15
15, 18 / Deadline for Project Group Formalization and Country Selection
The Cultural Environment of International Business
- Chapter 4
Case discussion: Hollywood’s Influence on Global Culture
19
19-20 / Quiz: Chapter 4
Political and Legal Systems in National Environments
Reading Assignment - Chapter 7
Case discussion: Political, Legal, and Ethical Dilemmas in the Global Pharmaceutical Industry
21
21-22 / Quiz: Chapter 7
Government Intervention in International Business
Reading Assignment - Chapter 8
Case discussion: Airbus and Boeing
25 / Project Due: Presentation
26
Common Final Exam

1