MKTG 442: International Business
Prerequisites: Junior standing, MKTG 340 and FINC 331
Credit Hours: (3)
A study of the theories, institutions and trends in international trade and investment.
Emphasis placed on the environment within which international business is practiced
and the opportunities and challenges managers face in doing business across national
boundaries.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
The course provides the students with an opportunity to develop a broad understanding
of international business. Students are expected to incorporate the fundamentals of
accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing into the overall framework
of an international business. The material in the course covers those subjects which
are generally considered appropriate for an undergraduate course in international
business. Class lectures are normally supplemented by student discussion of cases
assigned as homework. By using actual cases, students are expected to learn how to
analyze the world business environment and market patterns and to understand how top
management develops corporate strategy and policy in an international environment.
Topics covered in this course include:
• International trade and foreign investment
• Economic theories
• International organizations
• The international monetary system and balance of payments
• Forces in international business including financial, economic and socioeconomic,
physical, socio-cultural, political, legal, labor, competitive and distributive.
• Market assessment and analysis
• Marketing internationally
• Exporting and importing
• East-West relations
• Financial management
• Production systems
• Labor and management
• Planning, organizing, control and staffing
Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
The course can be conveniently viewed in the form of four sections. The first relates
to the nature of international business and provides the student with an understanding
of the origin and history of international trade and foreign investment. The growing
importance of international business in today's global environment and the impact
of economic theories on international trade, development, and investment are also
addressed. The students' knowledge of economics, Management, and Marketing are brought
into play in analyzing and comprehending current issues that confront international
businesses.
The second section addresses the international environment with specific focus on
international organizations and the monetary system. Students are required to submit
written analyses of case studies that attempt to model conditions found in the international
business environment. These three- to-five page case analyses are further supplemented
by oral presentations and subsequent class discussions.
The third part of the course is aimed at gaining comprehension of the Foreign Environment.
The various forces that contribute to the complexity of this environment are addressed
at length. Included are financial, economic and socio- economic, physical, socio-cultural,
political, legal, and labor forces. Students are required to make both oral and written
submissions of case studies and problems that are more diversified and integrative
in nature when compared to the second part.
The fourth section of the course relates to how management deals with environmental
forces. Issues pertaining to market assessment and analysis, export and import procedures,
and international marketing are addressed. Students are exposed to an understanding
of the vagaries of East-West Relations as well as the management and policies regarding
labor relations. The course ends with an investigation of strategic planning and organizational
design on the framework of international business and a glimpse into future trends
and new directions.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
After completing this course the student should be able to:
1. Describe the history and scope of international business.
2. Discuss international trade concepts and theory.
3. Analyze the world business environment and world market patterns.
4. Evaluate the role of top management in developing corporate strategy and policy
in an international environment.
Assessment Measures
The students' success in the course is measured by a combination of tests, quizzes
and examinations, case study analyses and presentations, and/or term projects.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
10-18-04, reviewed and approved by the Dept. of Management and Marketing faculty
April 13, 2012 Revised
March 01, 2021