Professor Carol Reade

Department of Organization and Management

College of Business, San Jose State University

Fall Semester, 2008

 

Course Title:	BUS 162 – International and Comparative Management
Course Code:	42046
Course Section:	04
Class Hours & Location:	TR,  9:00 – 10:15;  BBC 104
Office Hours:	TR,  8:15 – 8:45; 12:00 – 13:00; and by appointment
Office Location:	BT 557
Office Phone:	(408) 924-1343
Fax:	(408) 924-3555
Email:	carol.reade@sjsu.edu
Website:	http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/reade_c

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

In today’s global economy, managers are increasingly called upon to creatively meet challenges and work with others in a multicultural context.  A manager who understands the role of culture in shaping management practices, organizational strategies, and team effectiveness will increase his or her chances of career success.  In this course you will gain an understanding of the key issues and challenges of international management, along with an introduction to theories, concepts and skills relevant to managing effectively in today’s global environment.  A comparative approach is used to examine management functions and practices within various political, economic, legal and socio-cultural environments. 

 

COURSE PREREQUISITES

 

Bus 100W and Bus 187

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

The objectives of the course are to:

 

·         Introduce the key issues and challenges of management in the global economy;

·         Gain an awareness of how national cultures influence management practices;

·         Recognize the differences and similarities between the management techniques and systems of US organizations and the organizations of other nationalities;

·         Heighten your understanding of, and ability to work in, multicultural teams;

·         Develop your capability to apply theories and principles of international management to concrete situations;

·         Sharpen your capacity to recommend a range of solutions to address international management challenges;

·         Improve your professional skills of presentation and writing.  

COURSE FORMAT

 

The course covers a range of learning opportunities, including experiential exercises, case analyses, video film discussions, and lectures.  Classes will be conducted as an interactive exchange, where students and the instructor share in discussion. 

 

REQUIRED READING

 

Text

Luthans, F. and Doh, J. (2009) International Management:  Culture, Strategy, and Behavior, 7^th edn., McGraw-Hill.  ISBN: 978-0-07-338119-0.  (The text is referred to in the syllabus as ‘LD.’ The publisher’s PowerPoint slides for each chapter of the text will be made available on the instructor’s website.)

 

Campus Reading Selection, 2006-2007

Hosseini, Khaled (2004) The Kite Runner. New York: Penguin.  ISBN: 1594480001

 

E-Course Reader

Articles will be assigned throughout the course from an electronic course reserve reader available free of charge through the MLK Library website.  Click on ‘Course Reserves’ on the MLK Library website and type in the instructor’s name or course number.  Articles can be accessed for viewing or download upon entering your SJSU ID and library pin numbers. (The E-Course Reader is referred to as ‘E-CR’ in the syllabus.)

 

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE

 

Performance Categories            % of Final Grade

Participation                                        10%

Team Case Analysis                            15%    

Individual Term Paper                         20%

Examinations                                       55%

 

Grading Scale

A+ =  97 – 100	B+  =  87 – 89	C+   =  77 – 79	D+   =  67 – 69	F   =  below 60
A   =  94 –  96	B    =  84 – 86	C     =  74 – 76	D     =  64 – 66
A-  =  90 – 93	B-   =  80 – 83	C-    =  70 – 73	D-    =  60 – 63

 

Participation: (10%) 

Your active participation in class discussions is welcomed and expected.  This includes evidence of thorough prior preparation of course materials, engaging in discussion, exercises, etc.  Your presence is important.  Absence from class sessions not only hinders your acquisition of the material and learning, but also deprives the remaining students of your contribution.  If class is missed, please get notes and assignments from your classmates.  You are responsible for class material and announcements made in class including changes to the syllabus.  Respect for the learning environment counts heavily towards the participation grade.   Please turn off your cell phones, and refrain from activities that disrupt the class.

 

Team Case Analysis:  (15%) 

Teams of 5-6 students will be formed early in the term.  Cases are scheduled for presentation throughout the term.  Each team is responsible for a case analysis, which involves a presentation and a written case summary which are equally weighted for grading purposes.  Grading may be partially based on peer evaluation.  Presentation guidelines and internet resources for the case-study companies are posted on the instructor’s website.      

 

Individual Term Paper:  (20%)

A term paper with a research component is required.  Details of the assignment are posted on the instructor’s website. 

 

Examinations:  (55%: Midterms, 2@15%; Final, 25%) 

There will be two midterm examinations and a final examination.  The midterm exams will be non-comprehensive, and will be a combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.  The final examination will be comprehensive, though will focus on material covered in the latter part of the course, and will be a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions.  Please bring a SCANTRON Form No. 882-E to the midterm exams and a SCANTRON Form No. 886-E to the final exam.

All exams are closed notes and closed book.  Please be aware that you are responsible for all assigned text material, whether or not covered in class, as well as material covered in class such as exercises, discussions, videos and other assigned readings.

Study guide materials.  End of chapter questions make a good study guide, since they are the basis of class discussion topics.  Also, the PowerPoint slides for each text chapter, available on the instructor’s website, will be useful for review. 

There are no make-up exams.  In the event of a serious emergency or documented illness, a make-up exam may be considered in the form of a long (5 page) essay.  Exams will generally be returned the next class period.  If you miss the class period when grades are handed back, please note that exam grades will not be communicated by email or phone.

 

POLICIES

 

Academic Integrity:  Plagiarism will lead to grade penalties, and possibly failure of the course and/or a notation of the incident in your SJSU student records.  It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes plagiarism before you hand in written work.  The official SJSU academic integrity policy can be found at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf

     

Americans with Disabilities Act:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible.

 

Add/Drop:  Information on add/drops, http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-324.html
Information about late drop, http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ .

 

College of Business:  In classrooms, refrain from eating, using cell phones, and using computers for other than course-related activities.  http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/cob/5_STUDENT%20SERVICES/cobpolicy.htm. 
COURSE SCHEDULE

     

 

I look forward to seeing you in class, and to a challenging and fun semester!