34539 - International Management

Learning outcomes

Upon successfully completing the course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of a firm's operations and competition in the globalized landscape. They will be able to comprehend the primary opportunities and challenges encountered by firms in international markets, along with developing insights into the strategies that facilitate growth within this global environment. Active participation in the course's training activities, including lectures, seminars featuring business representatives, and collaborative group work, coupled with individual study, will empower students to: - Grasp the significance of globalization, discern its determinants, and comprehend the opportunities and challenges it presents for firms. - Acquire knowledge of the principal strategic alternatives available to firms for fostering growth and competitiveness in international markets. - Demonstrate proficiency in exemplifying key theoretical concepts related to multinational firms, encompassing their business functions, strategies, and the operational environment. - Apply key indicators to identify competitors in international markets.

Course contents

This course delves into the business and corporate strategies employed by multinational enterprises, especially in the face of swiftly evolving technological landscapes, changing demands, and dynamic institutional environments. Operating globally not only grants companies entry into new markets and access to diverse resources but also exposes them to novel fountains of information and knowledge, fostering innovation and competitive strategies. The course goes beyond exploring opportunities and delves into the challenges posed by a business environment characterized by increased complexity, diversity, and uncertainty, factors distinct from those encountered by companies primarily focused on their domestic markets.

Key topics covered include:

- Globalization

- National differences in institutions and economic development

- Foreign direct investments

- Entry modes into foreign countries

- Competitive strategies in international markets

- Institutional voids in emerging markets

Readings/Bibliography

For the preparation of the course, students are expected to study the following materials:

- Hill, C. W. L. (2023). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. Fourteenth Edition, McGraw-Hill. Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 13, 15.
Chapter 1: Globalization
Chapter 2: National Differences in Political, Economic, and Legal Systems
Chapter 3: National Differences in Economic Development
Chapter 4: Differences in Culture
Chapter 6: International Trade Theory
Chapter 8: Foreign Direct Investment
Chapter 13: The strategy of international business
Chapter 15: Entering developed and emerging markets

- Additional readings in the form of academic articles, which will be downloadable from the Virtuale online platform.

- Slides prepared by the instructor, uploaded at the end of each week on the Virtuale online platform.

Teaching methods

- Lectures focused on topics related to international management.

- Discussion of case studies.

- Seminars featuring business representatives.

Assessment methods

To successfully complete the course, students are required to pass a written exam consisting of a combination of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The exam format includes approximately five multiple-choice questions, each worth two points, and two open questions or exercises, each valued at 11 points. The duration of the test is one hour.

In addition to the written exam, students have the option to enhance their final grade by participating in group projects. These projects involve analyzing a firm entering a foreign market and presenting the findings in a PowerPoint presentation. Working in teams of 3-5 members, students are to submit their presentations to the instructor before the end of the course, with deadlines to be communicated in class. While this activity is not mandatory, it is highly recommended and can contribute a maximum of 4 extra points to the final grade. The project work will be presented by each team in front of the class at the conclusion of the course.

The final grading, following a scale of 0-30, adheres to the criteria outlined below:

<18: Insufficient

18-23: Sufficient

24-27: Good

28-30: Very good

30 e lode (>30): Excellent

It is important to note that the final written exam is the same for both attending and non-attending students. (The attendance to classes is mandatory, although exceptions may apply, as specified by the regulations).

Teaching tools

• Case studies
• Articles from business magazines
• Lecture slides
• Video

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Giachetti