MCCCD Program Description

Survey of International Business

Course: IBS210

First Term: 1997 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: A comprehensive overview of international business designed to provide both beginners and experienced business people with a global perspective on international trade. Focuses on the current international business environment, growth strategies, management issues, marketing strategies, economic and monetary issues, and regional economic integration

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the major theories regarding why nations trade, including mercantilism, absolute advantage, and comparative advantage. (I) 2. Describe the role of governments in international trade, including the major trade barriers used against foreign companies. (I) 3. Name the major international environments (cultural, political/regulatory/legal/economic) and describe the effect that each has on international trade. (II) 4. List and describe the major economic issues (such as inflation, currency exchange, unemployment, business cycles, balance of trade) which all countries face. (II) 5. Analyze international trade data and identify major trading groups (of countries), their predominant trading partners, their economics status (industrialized, less developed, etc.), and categories of products traded (raw materials, manufactured goods, and services). (II) 6. Name major international organizations (such as World Bank, United Nations, etc. ) and describe the role of each in international business. (II) 7. Describe the basic terminology associated with international currency exchange. (III) 8. Describe the major sources for international financing. (III) 9. Describe international currency exchange including major money markets, spot and forward rates, fixed and floating exchange rates, and the role of the International Monetary Fund. (III) 10. Develop examples of cultural differences that affect how business is conducted in foreign countries including blunders of business and social etiquette. (IV) 11. Describe the various methods of international expansion, including importing and exporting, licensing, franchising, strategic alliances, and foreign direct investment and the advantages and disadvantages of each. (V) 12. Describe how international licensing and franchising work and provide examples of each. (V) 13. Evaluate the advantages of international strategic alliances (including joint ventures) and name current examples. (V) 14. Explain how to manage human resources in foreign markets, and how to select managers for overseas operations. (V) 15. Identify strategies for pricing, promotion, and distribution of products in foreign markets. (V) 16. Evaluate the effects of labor forces, competitive forces, and economic forces on the international competitiveness of a country. (V) 17. Describe the key factors necessary to analyze a potential international market by screening for need, financial, political, legal, sociocultural, and competitive forces. (V) 18. Give examples of cultural, environmental, and governmental limitations on a firm`s ability to standardize operations globally. (V) 19. Briefly describe how to locate foreign suppliers for goods to be imported. (VI) 20. Briefly describe channels of distribution for exports including foreign distributors and agents. (VI) 21. Describe the role of the multinational enterprise and their subsidiaries. (VII) 22. Explain the various forms of organizational structure for a firm with an international focus and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each structure. (VII) 23. Describe the different levels of economic integration and cooperation (free trade areas, customs, unions, common markets, and total economic integration) and describe the most influential groups (European Union, NAFTA). (VII) 24. Define and give an example of voice, data, and video communications, including Internet, satellite/audio/ video conference, fax and electronic mail. (VII) 25. Perform the steps necessary to connect to Internet and send as well as receive a message. (VII) 26. Explain trends toward standardization and globalization within multinational enterprises. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Overview of International Business A. International trade theory/why nations trade II. Nature of Foreign Trade A. International trade theory B. Governmental impact on foreign trade C. International organizations III. Monetary Systems A. Foreign investments analysis B. World trade/investment patterns C. Economic environments D. Foreign exchange and international payments E. Multinational accounting, finance, and taxation IV. Cultural Implications A. Barriers to international trade B. Managing cross cultural differences C. Foreign political and legal implications V. International Trade Marketing and Management A. Exporting and importing 1. Marketing 2. Documents B. Management functions and controls C. Labor and personnel D. Planning and competition E. Production systems F. Globalization of industries VI. Exporting and Importing A. Channels of distributing B. Shipping C. Documents D. Regional Presentations VII. Globalization A. Worldwide Standardization B. Economic integration`s and cooperation C. Multi-National Enterprise D. International Communication Systems

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 10/22/1996

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.