BUS493A – Spr05
N. Wiese
BUS493A - Business in Latin America
SPRING 2005
Nila M. Wiese, Ph.D.
Office: McIntyre 111A
Phone: 253-879-3390
e-mail:
Office Hours: Wed 1:30-3:30pm; Thu 8:30-9:30am and by appointment
An emerging market over 500 million people, and a region characterized by dramatic and constant social, economic and political changes, Latin America represents a significant challenge to international businesses. This course is designed to provide students with a rich understanding of the international business environment and business practices in Latin America, and to develop knowledge and skills relevant to the development of business strategies appropriate to Latin American markets and consumers.
Objectives
Ø To acquire a general understanding of the economic, political, legal, socio-cultural, and technological environments of the region as a whole, and of selected countries and sub-regions.
Ø To assess opportunities and risks in the business and investment climate in Latin America.
Ø To explore the potential benefits and costs of hemispheric trade and integration initiatives.
Ø To identify the most relevant business drivers and critical success factors for Latin American markets.
Ø To understand the characteristics of Latin American consumers relevant to international marketers and provide analytic approaches to strategic planning for the region.
Ø To identify future growth scenarios by highlighting business opportunities in specific industry sectors and geographic areas.
Ø To enhance students’ analytical and communication skills.
Bibliography
Robles, F., F. Simon & J. Haar (2003), Winning Strategies for the New Latin Markets. Prentice Hall.
Crane, R. & C. Rizowy (2005), Latin American Business Cultures. Prentice Hall.
Business in Latin America-A Casebook. Prentice Hall (customized case package).
Course Pack of readings and cases (available at the UPS Bookstore)
Course Format
The course is designed in a quasi-seminar style, combining lectures, case analyses, videos, research projects, oral presentations, and student-led discussions.
Team Projects
Students will be assigned to teams of two. Each team will develop an Industry Analysis and a Country Profile. Written papers and oral presentations will be required for both projects.
See the “Guidelines for Assignments” attached to this syllabus for detailed instructions.
Case Analyses (Individual)
Ø Each student will complete three cases analyses on selected companies.
See the “Guidelines for Assignments” attached to this syllabus for detailed instructions.
Exams
There will be a Midterm and a Final exam. Both exams are integrative in nature (i.e., you are expected to incorporate all relevant material as appropriate). The exams will be a combination of short answers, long essays and applied cases/exercises. Make up exams are at the discretion of the Professor. In any case, no make up exams will be given without prior notification to the Professor and a documented excuse (e.g., note from your physician).
Class Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to participate actively and consistently in class discussions. Participation will be graded based on both quantity and quality of contributions. This means, you must come prepared for individual and group activities by reading and analyzing the assigned material before class. If you do not feel comfortable getting involved in open discussions, see me privately to discuss strategies for increasing your involvement.
If you plan to miss class and an assignment/class discussion is due for that day, you can submit a 300-400 word written contribution (a maximum of two written contributions will be accepted). These must be submitted via e-mail prior to class time.
Students must be proactive in reading relevant publications and keeping abreast of current events, especially those related to class topics. Knowledge of current events will greatly improve the quality of your contributions to class discussions. [Recommended publications include: The Economist, Financial Times, Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, Latin Trade, America Economia (Spanish), and Tiempos del Mundo (Spanish)].
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for successful completion of this course. Attendance will be taken randomly; on occasion, pop quizzes will be given. Students will be expected to arrive to class on time and to remain in class until the end of the class session. Habitual tardiness will result in a significant reduction of your participation grade.
Attendance during all Team Presentations is mandatory (including the Industry Analyses). Your absence will be penalized with a significant reduction from your total participation grade. You are also expected to regularly check the Blackboard page for this course for readings, announcements, etc.
A final note: Do not schedule trips or any other personal activities during scheduled exams, oral presentations, etc. I will not make special arrangements or give make-up opportunities for anyone with personal conflicts!!
Remember, you are not entitled to any participation points; you must earn them!
ACADEMIC DISHonesty
You are expected to behave ethically and honestly throughout the development of this course. Due to the nature of this course, collaborative work is encouraged. However, misrepresenting another person’s work as your own, taking credit for someone else’s words or ideas, soliciting or accepting help on a test or assignment when you are expected to work independently, and submitting the same paper (partial or total) for credit in more than one course without prior permission all qualify as academic dishonesty. Any case of academic dishonesty will be taken seriously and pursued in accordance with University policies and procedures. Be sure to review the appropriate University policies in The Logger.
Grade Distribution
Team Projects 30%
Industry Analysis 20%
Ø Written Project 15%
Ø Oral Presentation 5%
Country Profile 10%
Ø Written Memo 5%
Ø Oral Presentation 5%
Case Analyses (Individual) 15%
Class Attendance and Participation 15%
Exams 40%
Midterm 20%
Final 20%
_____
Total 100%
Tentative Schedule
WK / Date / Topics / Readings & Assignments1 /
Jan 18
/ Introduction /Jan 20 / 1. Latin Business in the New Economy
1.1 Uncertain Economic Environments / Robles-Ch. 1
Crane & Rizowy-Ch. 1
2 / Jan. 25 / 1.2 Political and Legal Environment / Robles-Ch. 1
CP: Latin economic growth may be temporary; Latin Americna puzzles; Picking up the pieces;
Jan. 27 / 1.3 Technology Trends / Robles-Ch. 1
3 / Feb. 1 / 1.4 Regional Integration Schemes
1.5 Sub-regions: Mexico, Central
America, Andean Countries,
Mercosur / Robles-Ch. 1
CP: Magic or realism?
Feb. 3 / 1.6 Ethics and Social Responsibility / CP: The price of success; Harder graft
4 / Feb. 8 / Case and Country Discussion / Country Profile: Ecuador
Case:: Shrimp Farming in Ecuador
Feb. 10 / Case and Country Discussion / Country Profile: Honduras
Case: Guajilote Coop Forestal
5
/ Feb. 15 / 2. The Latin American Consumer2.1 Buying Power
2.2 Consumption Patterns
/ Robles-Ch. 2Case: Citibank Argentina
Feb. 17 / 2.3 Segmentation / CP: Sins of the fleshy
6 / Feb. 22 / 2.4 Branding and Positioning / Robles-Ch. 5
Case: Café de Colombia
Country Profile: Colombia
Feb. 24 / 2.5 Hispanic Consumers in the US
WK / Date / Topics / Readings & Assignments
7 / Mar.1 / 3. Competition / Robles-Ch. 3
Case: Building an electronic and IT cluster in Costa Rica
Country Profile: Costa Rica
Mar. 3 / 4. Strategic Planning
4.1 Business Drivers
4.2 Critical Success Factors /
Robles-Ch. 8
8 / Mar. 8 / Midterm I / Units 1-3Mar. 10
/ Case and Country Discussion / Country Profile: BrazilCase: Merck Latin America
9 / Mar.15, 17 / Spring Break
10 /
Mar. 22
/ 4.3 Designing Winning Strategies / Robles-Ch. 8, 1 (pp. 33-40)CP: Calmer water, harder task
Mar. 24 / Case and Country Discussion / Country Profile: Mexico
Case: Grupo Televisa
11 / Mar. 29 / 4.3 Strategy Implementation/
Country Profile: Chile
Case: Viña San PedroMar. 31 /
5. Industry Analyses
5.1 Manufacturing
/ (Team Presentations)12 / Apr. 5 / 5.2 Commodities (agriculture, mining, fishing, etc.)- / Case: Chauvco Resources Ltd.
Apr. 7 /
5.3 Infrastructure
5.4 Hi-tech (including Telecom) / Robles-Ch. 413 /
Apr. 12
/ 5.5 Financial Services /Robles-Ch. 6
Apr. 14
/5.6 Health Care & Pharmaceuticals
/ Robles-Ch. 7Case: GuateSalud
Country Profile: Guatemala
WK / Date / Topics / Readings & Assignments
14 /
Apr. 19
/ 5.7 Retailing / Robles-Ch. 5Case: Hush Puppies Chile
Apr. 21 / 5.8 Social Services & Education
15 / Apr. 26 / 5.9 Tourism / Case: Posada Amazonas
Apr. 28 / 5.10 Media & Entertainment
16 / May 3 / VI. Future Growth Scenarios
Course Summary & Evaluations
17 / May 10 / Final Exam (Tue. 4:00-6:00pm) / Units 4-5, Industry Analyses
Note: The Professor reserves the right to adjust this Syllabus and Schedule as needed to enhance students’ learning. Any changes (including, but not limited to, schedule changes, adding/deleting topics, speakers, field trips, changing assignments, redistributing grading) will be announced in class and posted in Blackboard. The syllabus posted in Blackboard supersedes the hard copy distributed the first day of class. It is your responsibility to be aware of these changes whether or not you attend class on a regular basis.
GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENTS
BUS493A – Spring 2005
Team Project #1– INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
Teams of two students will prepare a written paper on an industry sector and present their findings to the rest of the class. You must prepare a comprehensive analysis, based on current research, of the industry assigned to your team, addressing any macro-environmental factors and trends affecting the industry (socio-cultural, political, legal, technological, etc.) and identifying the critical success factors for that industry.
Ø Paper length: 10 pages, excluding cover page, appendices, and bibliography. (No Memo format is required for this paper).
Ø Students are encouraged to summarize/synthesize information in visual formats more appealing to the reader and more suitable to business writing. Therefore, the paper must include appendices such as graphs, exhibits, tables, maps, etc.
Ø Each team will deliver a 20-minute presentation sharing their most important findings with the rest of the class.
Ø Every member of the team must participate in the oral presentation.
Ø Follow the general guidelines for written assignments and oral presentations included in pp. 11-12 of this syllabus.
Ø Team and industry assignments are listed in p. 9 of this syllabus.
TEAM PROJECT #2: COUNTRY PROFILE
Teams of two will prepare a Profile of a Latin American country and present it to the rest of the class.
Assume a team from the company/organization for which you work, will be making a one-week visit to the country assigned to you. You should prepare a short written memo and an oral presentation to help the team succeed in working with businesspeople in this country. As a minimum your presentation should address important aspects of:
(1) General culture, business etiquette, and management styles
(2) Negotiation and communication tips
(3) Administrative requirements for travel and entry (for business travelers)
(4) A brief summary of political, legal, and economic realities
Ø A two (2) page-memo summarizing your findings must be submitted.
Ø In addition, you must submit a Bibliography of the sources used to prepare your memo and oral presentation. At least four (4) recent references are required (2000 or later). One of the references may be in the form of an interview with someone knowledgeable of the country. Be sure to give full name, address and phone number of the interviewee in your list of references.
Ø The book Latin American Business Cultures by R. Crane & C. Rizowy and the reading Doing Business with Latin Americans (included in your Course Packet) should provide a good starting point for several of the country profiles. The rest of the class is expected to read the country summaries included in Crane & Rizowy’s and the Course Packet and be ready for class discussion.
Ø Each team will deliver an 8-10 minute presentation to the rest of the class.
Ø The oral presentations will be evaluated based on:
(1) Completeness and relevance of content information
(2) Quality of Delivery (creative/appropriate use of audio-visual materials,
engaging/interactive style, evidence of preparation)
(3) Handling of questions
Ø The written memo will be evaluated based on:
(1) Completeness and relevance of content information
(2) Professional writing quality (grammar, spelling, organization, clarity)
(3) Quality of the Research effort (current sources, proper bibliographic style)
Ø Follow the general guidelines for written assignments and oral presentations included inpp. 11-12 of this syllabus.
Ø Team and country assignments are listed in p. 9 of this syllabus.
BUS493A – Spring05
Industry Analyses and Country Profiles
Team Assignments
Name / Country / Country ProfileDue Date / Industry / Industry Analysis
Due Date
Anderson, Briggs
Brown, Alison / Ecuador / Feb. 8 / Hi-Tech (including Telecom) / Apr. 7
Brozena, Scott
Child, Micah / Chile / Mar. 29 / Tourism / Apr. 26
Crothers, Rhiannon
Gray, Samantha / Brazil / Mar. 10 / Financial Services / Apr. 12
Guzman, Miguel
Hansen, Anna / Colombia / Feb. 22 / Social Services & Education / Apr. 21
Herbst, Erika
Quevedo, Justin / Guatemala / Apr. 14 / Manufacturing / Mar. 31
Ristine, Matt
Savage, Ryan / Mexico / Mar. 24 / Infrastructure & Energy / Apr. 7
Robuck, Amber
Trubo, Noah / Honduras / Feb. 10 / Commodities / Apr. 5
Herzog, Liz
Zeller, Devon / Costa Rica / Mar. 1 / Health Care & Pharmaceuticals / Apr. 14
Case Analyses ( Individual)
You are expected to prepare all cases discussed in class. However, you will only be required to submit written analyses for THREE of the cases. For each case you must identify the main problem or issue the company faces, address any questions posed at the end of the case, and make clear recommendations for action (See the guidelines for case analysis included in your Course Packet).
The case analyses must be prepared as a two-page memo. Follow the general guidelines for written assignments included in pp. 11-12 of this syllabus.
Case Assignments and Due Dates:
Last Name / Cases / Due DateA thru Ch / Café de Colombia / Feb. 22
Grupo Televisa SA de CV / Mar. 24
Chauvco Resources Ltd. / Apr. 5
Cr thru Ha / Guajilote Coop Forestal / Feb. 10
Viña San Pedro / Mar. 29
Posadas Amazonas / Apr. 26
He thru Ri / Citibank, Argentina / Feb. 15
Merck Latin America (A) / Mar. 10
Hush Puppies / Apr. 19
Ro thru Z / Shrimp Farming in Ecuador / Feb. 8
Building a Cluster: Electronics and Information Technology in Costa Rica / Mar. 1
GuateSalud / Apr. 14
General Guidelines
Ø Your written work will be evaluated for effectiveness as well as content. The writing must express ideas clearly, logically, and maturely. The professional writing quality of your paper will be evaluated based on the correct use of grammar and composition, spelling, organization, clarity, creativity, and the uniqueness of your graphics, exhibits, etc.