MGT 610 – MBA GLOBAL MANAGEMENT

Instructor:         Walter J. Ferrier, Ph.D.
Office:              455X Gatton B&E Bldg.
Tel:                   257-9326
E-mail:              walter.ferrier@uky.edu
Office Hours:    Mon & Weds.,
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.


 

Course Overview

Text  and Readings

Assignments/Grading 

Other Requirements

This page was last updated on 17 JAN 2005. Please direct questions and comments regarding this page to walter.ferrier@uky.edu 

Back to MGT 610 Welcome page


COURSE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

This course examines the globalization of business activity from a purely “top-management” point of view. It provides an integrative and comprehensive overview of the fundamental issues and challenges that confront the international firm. That is, rather than focus on specific business tasks and functions as they pertain to international business operations, the course is intended to help you understand international management issues and challenges such as: target market selection, modes of market entry, international strategy, organizational structure, location and control of overseas subsidiaries, and joint venture formation.

Although the majority of students may not experience top management decision-making responsibility and authority for quite some time, this course offers entry-level and middle managers exposure to the critical issues and challenges which do indeed affect day-to-day, functional management activity.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to identify, analyze, and understand the organizational impact of a wide variety of global management issues. In addition, students should be able to develop broad, strategic solutions and/or plans of action in response to any combination of market, political, socio-cultural, and/or competitive global forces.
 

COURSE PEDAGOGY

This course adopts an eclectic pedagogical approach consisting of:  business cases, selected chapters from textbooks, Harvard Business Review readings, videos, current event discussions, and a mock international business negotiation. Lectures will be brief in nature and are used only to introduce and interject relevant theory and practice into class discussions a necessary. A course web page also provides access to several lectures containing PowerPoint files.
 

CASE STUDY: The main pedagogical thrust of this course is case study. The best way to learn from cases is through preparation and active discussion among students. Preparation for cases normally contains the following elements:  

    • WHAT
      • Issues and outlook: What is the problem?
      • What information is most relevant?
    • SO WHAT
      • What does your analysis reveal?
      • How is the firm impacted?
      • What are the implications?
    • NOW WHAT
      • What are the alternative solutions?
      • What are the salient decision criteria?
      • What is the best solution?
      • What is the plan for action and implementation? Timing?
      • What is overall impact and evaluation of the plan?

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ...



REQUIRED TEXTS  

o      Click on Custom eBooks link

o      Follow steps to purchase on-line viewing/reading with desktop publishing option

  • XANEDU.COM CoursePack
    • Case Studies (referred to by company Name)
    • Articles (referred to by Title and/or author Name)
  • Foreign Investment Negotiation Simulation (Version 7.2), R. Moxon Publishing, Medina, WA (Referred to as FINS)

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ...

ON-LINE RESOURCES

The Global Edge (Mich. St. U.)
 

 



ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

 

The following table contains both individual and group assignments required for the course:
 

Assignment

Weight

Oral Case Reports (Group & Individual)

40%

Quiz 1 (Individual)

10%

Quiz 2 (Individual)

10%

FINS Pre-Simulation Written Report (Group)

10%

FINS Post-Simulation Written Report (Group)

15%

Participation

10%

Peer Evaluation

5%

TOTAL

100%


ORAL CASE REPORT

Each student will be randomly assigned to a BA 610 team.  Each team will choose a case study and present a detailed recommendation report via a 25-minute oral presentation.  These reports are due on the date we plan to discuss in class (see BA 610 Course Schedule).

Oral reports will be limited to 25 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes of Q&A.  You are welcome to adopt any presentation style you see fit.  However, you and your team will be graded on not only the substance of your presentation, but also the professionalism of the presentation.  Further, if you are concerned about the basic elements/content of these reports, or need ideas about presentation style/quality, or would like to look at some sample case reports, please visit the following web page:  Guidelines for Oral Case Reports


PARTICIPATION

One of the critical factors in making this course a successful experience for everyone is the quality of student participation. Often, the most complete understanding of and best solutions for important issues and challenges are arrived at only after substantial class debate and discussion. Meaningful participation could consist of any of the following:

    • identification of relevant current events
    • suggestion that a certain area of the case needs to be explored
    • structuring of logic: integrating points raised earlier into a logical conclusion
    • discussion of alternative not previously identified
    • suggested plan of action or implementation
    • identification of a key assumption
    • meaningful summary


To better facilitate daily preparation and class discussion, one or two teams of students will be selected to lead discussion for each case. Individual team members will be responsible for their own quality participation.

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ...


FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT NEGOTIATION SIMULATION

Each team will participate in the Foreign Investment Negotiation Simulation (FINS).  This open-ended experiential module will be run for a three-week period.  Teams are required to submit a Pre-game Report and a Post-Game Reports.  
 

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE...


OTHER REQUIREMENTS

ATTENDANCE:  You are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. Much of the most important material and perspectives relevant to successful case reports are covered in class. In addition, failure to attend regularly will result in a poor participation score.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Students are expected to strictly adhere to all applicable and relevant sections of the Students Rights and Responsibilities and other published rules, codes, etc. regarding cheating, plagiarism, etc. 
 

 


BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ...