International Business

Examination of management strategies of global businesses. We use a network approach, though not exclusively, to understand firm strategies. Business networks are linked to knowledge clusters. Discussion of rationale for going global and internal organizational architectures and models that firms use for global management. Global strategy of firms influences their external networks and how they deal with technological change. Examination of how logistics and finance relate to global business strategy. Consideration of political-economy of business and global economic crisis. The course will have case dealing with a current strategic challenge of a global corporation. The company will present a problem/case on the first class day. Concurrently with the coverage of concepts of global business, selected class periods will cover themes applicable to the case. Students will propose a strategic solution in group case presentations to company executives on the last class day, and the executives will give their final reactions in the last period. Last day to drop Friday, January 6th by 8:30am. No Drops/Refund after this date.