INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY, BANGLADESH

School of Business
BBA Program Course Outline

Semester Course Code Course Title Section

Autumn 2020 INB 301 International Business 1

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INSTRUCTOR’S DETAILS:

Instructor: S M Yusuf Mallick Class Time: ST 11.00 am – 12.30 pm

Class Room: Virtual

Office: Virtual Office Hours: MW 3.30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

ST 2.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.
Email: [email protected]
Thursday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. (email
appointment only)
Email: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
At the dawn of the 21st century, nations are more economically integrated than at any other point in
human history. This presents business leaders with unprecedented opportunities & challenges. On one
hand it gives businesses access to larger markets, henceforth giving them the opportunity to increase
profitability and on the other hand, the era of globalization has also increased the potential competitors as
firms now not only compete with local firms but also have to compete against international competitors.
Henceforth such competitive business environment requires managers who are capable of strategizing in
an international context. Therefore the main aim of this course is to provide knowledge about business
and management issues in the global perspective. Furthermore this course also provides students with
the opportunity to explore business knowledge of different culture, legal policies, and impact of
globalization which will in turn help them in formulating strategies in order to compete in this
heterogeneous International Market.

PREREQUISITE (IF ANY):

No prerequisite

COURSE POLICY:
1. It is the student’s responsibility to gather information about the assignments and covered topics
during the lectures missed. Regular class attendance is mandatory. Points will be taken off for
missing classes. Without 70% of attendance, sitting for final exam is NOT allowed. According to IUB
system students must enter the classroom within the first 20 minutes to get the attendance
submitted.
2. The date and syllabus of quiz, midterm and final exam is already given here, however,
announcements will be given ahead of time. There is NO provision for make-up quizzes.
3. The reading materials for each class will be given prior to that class so that student may have a
cursory look into the materials.
4. Class participation is vital for better understanding of sociological issues. Students are invited to
raise questions.

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 5. Students should take tutorials with the instructor during the office hours. Prior appointment is
required.
6. Students must maintain the IUB code of conduct and ethical guidelines offered by the School of
Business.
7. Students must refrain from any type of cheating and/or plagiarism in a course. Any student acting
otherwise will receive an “F” grade in the course. School of Business, IUB, maintains a zero tolerance
policy regarding violation of academic integrity.

8. Students are not allowed to keep bags, handouts, books, mobile phones, smart watches or any other
smart electronic devices with them during any exam. Students are advised to keep everything in the
front of the class room before the exam starts. Please note that, just carrying any smart electronic
devises (even if the devise is turned off or put it in silent mode) during the exam will be considered
as “cheating”. Moreover, during the exam, anything written on hand palms (or anywhere else) and
carrying paper materials (whatever is written) will be considered as “cheating”. Any sorts of
“cheating” will result in an “F” grade with no exception. During the exam, students are only allowed
to carry pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler, highlighter and calculator in a clear plastic bag.

ASSESSMENT AND MARKS DISTRIBUTION:

Type of Evaluation Nos. Weight

Class Attendance and Participation 100% 10
Quiz (Best 3 will be counted) 4 30
Project and Presentation 01 15
Midterm Exam 01 15
Final Exam 01 20
Viva 01 10
Total 100%

[Class attendance is mandatory; failure to do so may deduct the final marks]

GRADE CONVERSION SCHEME:

The following chart will be followed for grading. This has customized form the guideline provided by the
school of Business.

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
90-100 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 0-44

* Numbers are inclusive

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REQUIRED TEXT:
The course will be based mostly on the following books [some other books and journals may be referred
time to time:

Hill, C.W.L. (2015). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, 10e [edition], McGraw-
Hill, USA.

MORE READINGS:

John D. Daniels, Lee H. Radebaugh and Daniel P. Sullivan: International Business: Environments and
Operations (13th Edition), Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011.

CLASS AND EXAM SCHEDULE, TOPIC AND READINGS:

Sessions Date Topic Learning Outcomes Readings

Session -1 Introduction Introduction to International Course Outline
Business, Explanation of Course
Outline
Session -2 Globalization Understand what is meant by the Hill, Chapter 1
term globalization
Recognize the main drivers of
globalization
Describe the changing nature of the
global economy

Session -3 Globalization Explain the main arguments in the Hill, Chapter1

debate over the impact of
globalization
Understand how the process of
globalization is creating
opportunities and challenges for
business managers
Distribution and explanation of
Term Case
Session -4 National Political Economy, Political System, Hill, Chapter2
Differences in Economic System, Legal System
Political Economy
and Economic
Development
Session -5 National How are property rights and Hill, Chapter2
Differences in corruption related, Intellectual
Political Economy Property Rights, Product Safety &
and Economic Liability

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 Development
Session -6 National Explain what determines the level Hill, Chapter 3
Differences in of economic development of a
Political Economy nation
and Economic Identify the macro-political and
Development economic changes occurring
worldwide
Describe how transition economies
are moving toward market-based
systems

Session -7 Differences in Explain what is meant by the Hill, Chapter 4

Culture culture of a society
Quiz 1 (Chap 1 + Identify the forces that lead to
2&3) differences in social culture

Session-8 Differences in Recognize how differences in social Hill, Chapter 4

Culture culture influence values in the
workplace

Demonstrate an appreciation for the

economic and business implications
of cultural change

Session -9 International Trade Understand why nations trade with Hill, Chapter 6
Theory each other
Summarize the different theories
explaining trade flows between
nations

Session -10 International Trade Explain the arguments of those Hill, Chapter 6
Theory that government can play a
proactive role in promoting
national competitive advantage in
certain industries.

Session -11 The Political Identify the policy instruments Hill, Chapter 7
Economy of used by governments to influence
International Trade international trade flows
QUIZ 2 (Chap 4 & Understand why governments
6) sometimes intervene in
international trade

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 Summarize and explain the
arguments against strategic trade
policy

Session -12 The Political Describe the development of the Hill, Chapter 7
Economy of world trading system and the
International Trade current trade issue

********** Midterm Exam Chapter 1, 2 & 3, 4, 6, and 7

Session -13 Foreign Direct Recognize current trends Hill, Chapter 8
Investment regarding foreign direct
investment (FDI) in the world
economy

Explain the different theories of

FDI
Understand how political ideology
shapes a government’s attitudes
toward FDI
Session -14 Foreign Direct Describe the benefits and costs of Hill, Chapter 8
Investment FDI to home and host countries
Explain the range of policy
instruments that governments use
to influence FDI
Session -15 Regional Economic Describe the different levels of Hill, Chapter 9
Integration regional economic integration
Understand the economic and
political arguments for regional
economic integration
Session -16 Regional Economic Explain the history, current scope Hill, Chapter 9
Integration and future prospects of the world’s
most important regional economic
agreements
Session -17 The Strategy of Explain the concept of strategy Hill, Chapter13
International Recognize how firms can profit by
Business expanding globally
Quiz 3 – Chap 8 &
9
Session -18 The Strategy of Understand how pressures for cost Hill, Chapter 13
International reductions and pressures for local
Business responsiveness influence strategic
choice

Identify the different strategies for

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 competing globally and their pros
and cons

Session -19 Entry strategy and Explain the three basic decisions Hill, Chapter15
strategic alliances that firms contemplating foreign
expansion must make: which
markets to enter, when to enter
those markets, and on what scale

Compare and contrast the different

modes that firms use to enter
foreign markets
Session -20 Entry strategy and Identify the factors that influence Hill, Chapter15
strategic alliances firm’s choice of entry mode
Recognize the pros and cons of
acquisitions versus greenfield
ventures as an entry strategy

Evaluate the pros and cons of

entering into strategic alliances
Session -21 Exporting, Identify the reasons for exporting, Hill, Chapter16
Importing, and the pitfalls of exporting, the EMCs,
Countertrade the ways firms can reduce the risks
Quiz 4 – Chap 13 of exporting, and the ways firms
& 15 can overcome the lack of trust in
export financing
Session -22 Exporting, Understand the LC, Draft, Bill of Hill, Chapter16
Importing, and lading, Countertrade, the forms
Countertrade and the pitfalls of countertrade
Session -21 Project Report Submission/ Presentation Project
Presentation Presentation
Session -22 Project Report Submission/ Presentation Project
Presentation Presentation
Session -23 As per IUB Final Exam & VIVA Chapter 8,9,13,
Examination 15, and 16
Schedule

NOTE:
Plagiarism- that is the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were the
students’ own – must be strictly avoided. Cheating and plagiarism on exam and assignment are
unacceptable.

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UNIVERSITY REGULATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT:
Please see the green book for further information about academic regulation and policies, including
withdrawal and grading, apples and penalties for pilgrims and academic misconduct.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Students with disabilities are required to inform the School of Business/ Department of Economics of any
specific requirement for classes or examination as soon as possible.

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