MGT 448 All DQs

Week 1

What technological advances in telecommunications and transportation have influenced global business in the last decade? How have these technological advances affected regional economic development? What trends may be anticipated in these areas? Would globalization have been possible without these technological advances?

Discuss how culture, language, and religion might influence the costs of doing business in a particular country. Support your statement with examples.

Discuss the following theory: The study of global business is relevant if you work or plan to work in a large multinational company, but it has little or no significance for individuals who work in smaller national firms. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your argument with at least two supporting statements.

Why is it important to understand the political and economic history of a region when expanding into markets in that region?

Week 2

Define a trade deficit and a trade surplus. What are the implications of a long-term trade deficit or trade surplus? What techniques are available to correct balance of payment deficit or surplus?

Does free trade equate to fair trade? Does free trade exist anywhere in the world? Respond to the questions and support your answers with examples.

What is country risk analysis? How is this analysis conducted? Is country risk analysis an effective tool in determining the desirability of establishing a manufacturing site or other mode of entry?

Week 3

What are the primary functions of the foreign-exchange market? Who are the participants in the market? How do global companies use the foreign-exchange market to hedge against foreign-exchange risks?

Can any product or service be marketed globally? If it sells in the United States, does it sell in another country? Explain why or why not. Can a product be marketed in the same manner in multiple countries? Defend your answer with examples. How might you relate the four Ps of marketing to customer relations management (CRM) in a global business environment?

What are the major staffing policies that global organizations must consider? How must an organization choose among these staffing policies? How do you assess the effect of implementing a specific staffing policy?

Felix Inc, a U.S. technology company has recently developed a revolutionary wireless phone. The product offers exciting new features along with all of the features of current products, but at a fraction of the manufacturing costs. As the international business manager of Felix, you have been asked to choose the best mode of entry into the European market. You have the following options:

Export your product from the United States.

Enter into an alliance with a large European company.

Manufacture the product in the United States and set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe.

License a European firm to manufacture and market the phone in Europe.

Week 4

What are the international and regional institutions that comprise the global monetary and financial system? What role do these institutions play in promoting global business operations?

Under what conditions is it better to borrow funds from a domestic (home country) bank? When might it be necessary to borrow from a target country financial institution? Explain your answer.

What are the elements of capital budgeting? How do you determine these elements in the global business arena? Provide examples of how you would use capital budgeting analysis to determine the desirability of global projects?

When would a firm choose to operate on a transnational basis? Under what circumstances would a firm use a localization strategy? When would an international strategy be employed? Support your answers with examples.

Week 5

What is an exit strategy? Give several examples of different types. When is an exit strategy employed? What can go wrong? Think about your fictional company for your learning team exercise. What problems might the company encounter when attempting to stop work in a particular country?

Name the factors that may contribute to the global business failure of an organization? How might a global organization protect itself against a global business failure?

Choose one of the following topics. Analyze one of the following global financing and exchange rate topics. Explain what it is and how it is used in global business:

Purchasing power parity and the Big Mac index

Currency hedging

Hard and soft currencies

Countertrade

Financing via letters of credit and EXIM Bank and commercial banks

Tariff and nontariff barriers

Roles of international financial institutions (e.g. IMF, World Bank, ADB, etc.)

We have discussed a number of issues in this course that affect global management. You have been summoned by your CEO to explain what you believe are the 3 most critical issues in global management that will affect your company in the next 5 years. Explain the issues and your recommendations as to the best course of action for your company to thrive in the global marketplace that it finds itself. Of course you will want to use theories and concepts that you have learned over the past few weeks to explain your thoughts. If your company makes this exercise difficult you may choose a company and provide your expertise to that CEO.