KOREA UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

BUSS313(06) Global Business Fall 2024

Instructor Injae Jeon (Office: LP401)

Class Meetings Tue / Thu 4:30 - 5:45 PM
Class Location HMB 204
Office Hours By appointment via email ([email protected])

1. Course Description
In today's interconnected global economy, the impact of international business is profound and
far-reaching. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear and the technology we use, our lives
are increasingly influenced by the operations of multinational companies. Whether you aim to
run your own business or secure a position in a global firm, understanding international
business is essential for managing work in a global context.

This course will delve into the theories and strategies of international business, equipping you
with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the competitiveness of your future
business. We will also address the current dynamics reshaping international business, including:
1) Economic Nationalism: Analyzing the impact of rising economic nationalism, fueled by
geopolitical tensions and the unintended consequences of globalization 2) Climate change:
Navigating the direct effects of climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. 3)
Technological advancements: Exploring the role of emerging digital technologies (e.g.,
artificial intelligence) and robotics in transforming business operations.

To prepare for these changes, we must ground ourselves in traditional international business
theories and concepts while also finding innovative ways based on these conventional
foundations to navigate the uncertain environment and seize new opportunities.

In this sense, our course is structured into three main parts: 1) National differences and
international institutions: Explore how national differences affect business and the role of
evolving international institutions in facilitating cross-border operations. 2) International

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business strategies: Learn how firms develop strategies to address national differences and gain
competitive advantages in both domestic and foreign markets. 3) Key drivers of change:
Analyze the three major drivers mentioned above that are reshaping international business.
This comprehensive approach will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge
necessary to thrive in the rapidly changing landscape of international business.

2. Course Objectives
1) Understand conventional international business theories and concepts: Gain a
comprehensive understanding of the traditional theories, concepts, and strategies that have
shaped international business in the era of globalization.
2) Develop future-oriented international business strategies: Learn to formulate effective
international business strategies by analyzing external market environments and leveraging
internal capabilities.
3) Enhance team collaboration skills: Practice working collaboratively in teams with diverse
members to achieve common goals, improving the quality and effectiveness of outputs
through collective effort.

3. Prerequisite
There are no formal requirements for taking this course, but ideally, students are expected to
have completed two years of business education, including introductory management courses
and introductory economics. This is a course taught in English, and students should be able to
communicate, present, and write a report in English.

4. Required Textbook
[DRSC] Daniels, John D., Lee H. Radebaugh, Daniel P. Sullivan, and Reid W. Click (2022)
International Business: Environments and Operations, 17th edition(global), Pearson.

5. Attendance
Attendance will be checked every class. Two late showings (5 minutes after the official start
of class) will count as one absence. Attendance will be monitored using a seating chart, so you
must sit in the same self-assigned seat each time. If you miss more than three classes for any
reason, your grade will be automatically marked as an “F.”
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6. Grading
The grade for this course will be computed from the following components:

Requirements Weights
Class participation
- Offline discussion 10%
- Online weekly business news/discussion board 30%
Team project
- Simulation 10%
- Case Study 30%
Individual final paper 20%

Class Participation - Offline (10%): Students' contributions during lectures and group
activities will be assessed based on the quality and quantity of their comments and questions.
Active engagement is expected, with valuable contributions including 1) Insightful answers to
the instructor’s questions, 2) Questions that illuminate important aspects of the topic, and 3)
Comments that clarify and highlight key points from earlier discussions.

Class Participation - Online (30%): Online participation will be evaluated through two types
of online discussions via Blackboard:
1) Weekly international business news (15%): Each week, we will spend 10-15 minutes
discussing international business news from around the world. Please read and post news
related to what we learn in the course on Blackboard each week. Sharing the news in the
classroom will also be recognized as offline class participation.
2) Online discussion on selected topics (15%): In Weeks 8 and 9, I will post materials on
Blackboard that provide thought-provoking insights into the future of international business.
You will be required to respond with how the content relates to international business,
whether you agree with the viewpoints, and how you envision the future of international
business based on your agreement or disagreement. Further details will be shared later.

Team Project - Simulation (10%): A simulation project focusing on foreign market entry
strategy using Harvard Business Simulation will be conducted as an in-class group activity.

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Evaluation will be based on achieving the simulation targets and participation throughout the
project.

Team Project - Case Study (30%): After covering several international business topics, each
team will have the opportunity to apply what we have learned to a real business situation. Each
team should select a case focusing on the success or failure of multinational firms in foreign
markets. Although the firm may have entered the foreign market some time ago, the focal
events of the case must have occurred within the past five years to draw timely insights.

The case study should proactively apply theories, concepts, and analytical tools addressed in
this course to deeply analyze the case, covering the following aspects: 1) Overall background:
Country-, industry (market)-, and firm-level analysis, 2) What challenges and problems the
firm faced, 3) How the firm succeeded or failed to manage these challenges with core success
and failure factors, 4) Suggestions to sustain success or turn failure into success.

a. Presentation (20%): Each team will have 25 minutes to showcase their work (20
minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A discussions). The Q&A time may
be extended at the instructor's discretion. Presentation evaluation, conducted by the
professor and peers, will be based on content and presentation skills.
b. Report (10%): A project report should be between 15-20 pages (double-spaced, one-
inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font), including figures, tables, and
references. The report will be evaluated based on writing skills, including organization,
flow, and incorporation of feedback from the presentation.

Presentation files should be uploaded to Blackboard by 5 PM the day before the presentation,
and the reports should be submitted on Blackboard by 5 PM the following week. Late
submissions will incur a 10% penalty.

Individual Final Paper (20%): Students will write a final paper on the future of international
business, focusing on one of three key drivers reshaping the field: 1) Economic nationalism, 2)
Climate change, 3) Technological advancements. Each student must analyze how the external
international business environment is changing and identify what firm capabilities could serve

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as sources of competitive advantage in this paradigm shift. Please incorporate not only the
concepts and insights from the lectures but also the case studies from team projects (except
your own team's case) to construct this paper.

The final report should be between 12-15 pages (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point
Times New Roman font), including figures, tables, and references. This paper will be assessed
on an individual basis according to the following standards: comprehensiveness, adequacy of
supporting data, logical validity, persuasiveness of argument, and overall writing skills. More
details will be provided during class.

7. Team Building & Peer Evaluation

The instructor will assign students to teams based on majors, seniority, nationality, and other
relevant criteria. The purpose of this team-building approach is to simulate real-world business
environments where team-based tasks are common, and it is rare to work exclusively with close
friends. This course offers a valuable opportunity to experience working in teams with varying
skills and backgrounds, similar to what you will encounter after graduation. This experience
will help you develop the skills needed to collaborate effectively in a professional setting.

To motivate students to actively engage in various team activities and to prevent free-rider
problems, peer evaluation will be conducted. Based on the peer evaluation, a bonus of up to
10% or a penalty of up to 50% may be applied to the individual scores of the team project
assessment.

8. Plagiarism and Use of Generative AI

Students must adhere to the University’s policy on academic honesty in all areas related to the
course. Any allegation of academic dishonesty will be referred to the appropriate department
for action. Proven offenses will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

When using generative AI and AI-assisted technologies for any course outputs, students should
use these tools only to improve readability and language. Keep in mind that AI can generate
incorrect, incomplete, or biased outputs, so relying solely on AI to handle tasks will not benefit
you. Students are ultimately responsible and accountable for the content of their work. If the

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instructor finds that the submitted content does not add any value beyond what AI-generated
outputs provide, the student will receive the lowest score in the course.

9. Course Policies
1) Email and Blackboard are the primary means of communication outside of class sessions.
Blackboard will contain useful and timely information regarding all course sessions.
2) Class attendance is an essential part of an academic commitment. Once in class, the student
should remain until the class is completed. Arrivals and departures during class time
interfere with the educational process and are not fair to the other students. If you go out
during the lecture, you need to come back as soon as possible. If I notice you are spending
too much time outside the classroom, it will be regarded as missing class.
3) Please keep your cell phone out of reach during classes to avoid distractions.
4) Commit to respecting each other’s opinions, thoughts, and ideas, especially those raised in
class. Open and useful discussion depends on mutual respect between the instructor and
students, as well as among students.
5) Cheating in any form, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Scholastic dishonesty will
result in failing the entire course.
6) Copyright Law: Materials and lectures in this course are protected by Copyright Law. DO
NOT post or submit lecture slides to any online services or sharing portals. Materials are
presented for personal use only and should not be shared, distributed, or sold in print - or
digitally - outside the course without permission. Electronic video and/or audio recording is
NOT permitted during class unless the student obtains permission from the instructor. Even
when permission is granted, any distribution of the recording is prohibited.
7) Anti-graft Law: Do not ask the instructor to change the grade unless there is a flaw in grading.
Improper solicitation and graft for any matters are strictly prohibited by Anti-graft Law.

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10. Course Schedule
Week Date Topic Textbook
9/3 Course introduction
1
9/5 Key concepts of IB Ch. 1
9/10 Political & legal environment Ch. 3
2
9/12 Economic environment I - Macro & competitive Ch. 4, 12
9/17 No class (national holiday)
3
9/19 Economic environment II – International trade Ch. 6-8
9/24 Exercise: Trade game
4
9/26 Economic environment III – International finance Ch. 9-10
10/1 Guest lecture (TBD)
5
10/3 Cultural environment (national holiday – zoom) Ch. 2
10/8 Exercise: A trip to mintana
6
10/10 Strategy of IB Ch. 12
10/15 Country evaluation and selection Ch. 13
7
10/17 Modes of international operation Ch. 15
10/22 Team project – Simulation I
8
10/24 No class (online discussion on selected topics)
10/29 Team project – Simulation II
9
10/31 Global financial management Ch. 11, 19
11/5 Global marketing management Ch. 17
10
11/7 Global organization and human resource management Ch. 16, 20
11/12 Corporate sustainability and nonmarket strategy of IB Ch. 5
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11/14 Key drivers of change: Economic nationalism
11/19 1:1 Team meetings
12
11/21 1:1 Team meetings
11/26 Key drivers of change: Climate change
13
11/28 Key drivers of change: Technological advancements
12/3 Wrap-up
14
12/5 Team project – Case study presentation & feedback
12/10 Team project – Case study presentation & feedback
15
12/12 Team project – Case study presentation & feedback
12/17 No class (individual final report)
16
12/19 No class (individual final report)
* Course schedule is tentative and subject to minor changes.