NA_IB International Business

University of Finance and Administration
Winter 2013
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Pavla Břečková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Gabriele Meissner, MBA (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Pavla Břečková, Ph.D.
Department of Economics and Management – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ing. Edita Jerie, DiS.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
NA_IB/pBM1PH: each odd Wednesday 14:00–14:44 S13, each odd Wednesday 14:45–15:30 S13, each odd Wednesday 15:45–16:29 S13, each odd Wednesday 16:30–17:15 S13, G. Meissner
NA_IB/pBM2PH: each even Monday 12:15–12:59 S13, each even Monday 13:00–13:45 S13, each even Monday 14:00–14:44 S13, each even Monday 14:45–15:30 S13, P. Břečková
Prerequisites
Pre-requisites: Mastering the basics of business management, marketing management and the business relations. Annotation: The course deals with the traditional functions of international trade and how these functions are influenced by political factors, cultural, technological, geographic, etc. The characteristics and comparison of the concepts “domestic” and “international” trade shows as well as the complexity and sophistication of skills, which people working in this field should possess (eg good general overview of the legislative, cultural, political and social differences between countries, language skills, etc.). Application of theories and concepts is followed by examples. The course includes active participation of students in the analysis and interpretation of current topics as per periodicals. The course is conducted entirely in English.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of this course the student:
- Will be able to understand the issues of the international market, including the causes and manifestations of globalization and the impact of events of global importance on decision making in international trade.
- Understand the links and context related to the successful functioning of the international markets. - Master the techniques of understanding the topic in a foreign language and will be able of own interpretation of the written specialised text
- Will be able to apply specialised terminology in the area of international business, and use it in the expert discussion or business correspondence
- Will be able to interactively discuss the impact of international trading blocks on the internal and external business relationships
- Will be able to describe the area of emerging markets and their impact on the economy and the companies themselves in the EU and the Czech Republic
Syllabus
  • 1-2) What is international business (IB). IB basic indicators - balance of trade / payment. International business importance and influences, differences from domestic trading. Territorial / commodity structure of IB. Global business environment. Comparative advantage, free trade / economy. The main regional trading blocks.
  • 3-4) Internationalization and Globalization. Drivers of Internationalization. Categories of goods traded internationally (primary, low/high value, capital intensive). FACTORS influencing the IB environment (Political, Economic, Technological). Motives for foreign expansion (microeconomic view). Entry modes and business activities in IB (export, import, contractual, investment activities, FDI). Team work on the semestral project.
  • 5-6) Culture and its role in international business. Cultural elements and multi-culture communication (verbal, non-verbal, role of eyes, silence etc.). Hofstede’s five dimensions of culture differences. Negotiation and successful presentation of business results in the international environment. Team work on the semestral project.
  • 7-8) World business territories, Euro / Dollar zones. Emerging markets, newly industrialized countries. International market research (PEST/STEEP), and linkage to Competition analysis (Porter) and SWOT. Data collection and their selection in the international environment. Team work on the semestral project and prezentations.
  • 9-10) International trade barriers and their assessing. Forms of economic integration, international unions, free trade areas and multilateral agreements The main regional trading blocks (TRIAD). WTO, GATT. Impact of economic integration on micro environment (companies). IB policy instruments (autonomous, contractual) Team work on the semestral project and prezentations.
  • 11-12) Prerequisites and personal preconditions for working in international business. European Union principles of IB. Opportunities and threats of CZ membership in the EU. SWOT of Czech companies in the international business environment. Topical international business challenges and trends. International Business knowledge summary and evaluation, presentation of team business work results.
  • Some topics may be supplemented by the guest lectures (speakers are usually prominent experts from industry).
Literature
    required literature
  • HILL, Charles, W., L. Global Business Today. 7th edition. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2011. info
    recommended literature
  • SITKIN, Allan and Nick BOWEN. International Business. 2010. info
  • WALL, Stuart and Dr. Bronwen REES. International Business: A First Course. 2009. info
  • WILD, J., Wild, K. and J. HAN. International business: the challenges of globalization. 4th ed. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, 2008. info
  • WOODS, M. International business. Basingstoke, Palgrave, 2001. ISBN 0-333-75979-6. info
  • GRIFFIN, R.W. and M.W. PUSTAY. International business: a managerial perspective. 5th int. ed. Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, 2007. ISBN 0-13-233532-8. info
Teaching methods
Classes in the full-time study form will be held on the basis of interactive lectures, in which the theory will be supplemented by practical examples, analyzing and interpreting scientific articles from foreign periodicals, as well as an emphasis on the presentation of results of business cases. Students will not only learn a foreign language and technical terminology, but also demonstrate the ability of its use. The lessons will have a lecturing part (theory, new knowledge including practical examples) and a practical part (reading economical/business articles and their brief interpretation to ensure understanding the expert text, it’s interpretation and possibly to defend the standpoint). Part of the lessons may be also designed as a preparation of the team presentation project. Teaching in part-time study form will be held as guided consultations, where the previous reading is expected. A truncated presentation of the topic will be followed by the interactive discussion and consultation of the studied topics. In both full and part-time study forms each topic will be mostly presented (in detailed or condensed form – according to the type of study) in PPT presentations, followed by an interactive discussion.
Assessment methods
The course NA_IB is finished by EXAM. Full-time study – criteria for the course completion: 1. active participation in lectures (75%) and active individual involvement at the lessons 2. successful presentation of the semester specialized project Based on these criteria an individual grade will be offered to the student at the end of the course. If student does not agree with the grade offered or in case of failure to meet these criteria the written test will be the subject of knowledge verification. The written test consists of approximately 15-20 questions (a combination of closed and open questions). To pass the examination student must achieve at least 50% correct answers. Part-time study – criteria for the course completion: 1. active participation in guided consultation (75%) 2. active individual involvement at the sessions, quality of previous reading and preparation and discussion Based on these criteria an individual grade will be offered to the student at the end of the course. If student does not agree with the grade offered or in case of failure to meet these conditions the test will be the subject of knowledge verification. The written test consists of approximately 15-20 questions (a combination of closed and open questions). To pass the examination student must achieve at least 50% correct answers.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
General note: Bb0.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 8 hodin KS/semestr.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2010, Summer 2011, Winter 2011, Winter 2012, Winter 2014, Winter 2015, Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2020, Winter 2021, Winter 2022, Winter 2023, Winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Winter 2013, recent)
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