San

Francisco State University

Course Outline

IBUS

6

9

0

–

2

: Global Strategic Management (#0

7

5

7

3

)

Professor R. Simeon

Office: Science 365

Department of

Inter

national Business
Telephone: (

4

1

5) 338-6298

Semester: Spring 2020

E-mail: rsimeon@sf

su

.edu

Web Site: http://ilearn.sfsu.edu

Class Location	Times	Office Hours (location: Science 365)
BUS 213	2 – 3.15	Tues./Thurs: 12 -12.30 pm & 3.30-5 pm

Introduction

Over the last twenty years

,

international business has been drastically affected by global competition as well as the globalization of p

re

ferences and business practices. The nature of the corporation, rules of competition, industry boundaries, and political realities are all factors that are undergoing rapid change. New technologies, regional economic treaties, and a surge in cross-border political and business alliances have made the world more interconnected and more interdependent. Business organizations, managers, workers, and consumers are all being affected by these forces of globalization. To be effective, firms around the world must become more adaptive, innovative and competitive.

Vision & Learning Goals of the College of Business, SFSU

Our Vision: We aspire to be one of the best public urban business schools by applying sustainability and ethical perspectives to our understanding of business practice, global leadership, innovation, the economy and society.
COB Learning Goals:
I. Students have basic competencies in the discipline of International Business. II. Students demonstrate effective communication skills. III. Students demonstrate the ability to analyze business situations. IV. Students develop team skills that facilitate achievement of organizational goals. V. Students understand the ethical issues related to the operation of business including sustainability. VI. Students understand the issues related to the operation of global business.

Course Objective

This course will help you develop an understanding of how firms develop and implement a variety of strategies to survive and build a competitive advantage. We will also examine the impact of culture, managerial

capabilities

, and varying institutions on business practices. This course should enhance your ability to:

· Assess the

sources

of competitive advantage

· Comprehensively analyze company strategy & industry developments

· Evaluate effective managerial strategy for cross-border activities

· Understand how business structures & functions are impacted by globalization pressures

Required Text: Global Strategy (2009 or later) by Mike W. Peng. Publisher: Cengage Learning

I-Learn will be used in this class: http://ilearn.sfsu.edu: This collaborative software and Virtual location will be used to coordinate your course materials and provide information and feedback. Make sure you understand the basics of using ILEARN.

Course Requirements

Contributions to Final Grade

1. Exam #1 20%
4. Group Presentation 20%

2. Exam # 2
20%
5. Final Project 15%

3. Individual Project #1
20%
6. Attendance & Participation 5%

Grading Breakdown

[A] 93-100
[A-] 89-92
[B+] 86-88
[B] 81-85
[B-] 78-80

[C+] 75-77
[C] 72-74
[C-] 68-71
[D] 61-67
[D-] 55-60

F: Below 55 (Fail….Avoid this grade at all cost!!!)

Exams (40%)

There will be two in-class exams with multiple choice questions on each one. Each exam will cover approximately 5 chapters of the text. Each exam will count for 20% of the class grade (for a total of 40%).

Project #1 Individual Paper (20%)

Sector Analysis: This will be a paper where you analyze 3 major strategies in a sector in a foreign country. See descriptions below for details. Deadline: March 5, 2020

Group Presentation (20%)

Strategic Framework Analysis: You will use the framework (below) to evaluate the reasons for the success or failure of a major company in a foreign market. See descriptions below for details. Deadline: 5/7 to 5/14

Final Project: Info-rich Power Pont (15%)

We will investigate a business phenomenon. This semester you will examine “Strategic Alliances” in certain countries. Details & an outline are given below. Deadline Friday May 22, 2020 on ILearn.

Factors Used to Evaluate the Papers/Presentations include: Presentation style, documentation, structure, content, & analysis. Please put section headings throughout.

7

2

9

11

Review, Groups

6

Session	Chapters/Topic	Session	Chapter/Topic
Session 1: 1/28	Overview	Week of March 23	Spring Break No Class
Session 2: 1/30	chapter 1	Session 17: 4/2		7
Session 3: 2/4	1	Session 18: 4/7
Session 4: 2/6		2	Session 19: 4/9		9
Session 5: 2/ 11	Session 20: 4/14
Session 6: 2/13	3	Session 21: 4/16		11
Session 7: 2/18		Review, Groups	Session 22: 4/21
Session 8: 2/20	Session 23: 4/23	12
Session 9: 2/25	4	Session 24: 4/28	12
Session 10: 2/27	5	Session 25: 5/1	***Exam #2
Session 11: 3/3	5	Session 26: 5/5	Review
Session 12: 3/5	Paper #1 is due	Session 27: 5/7	Group Presentations 1
Session 13: 3/10	**EXAM#1	Session 28: 5/12	Group Presentations 2
Session 14: 3/12	Grp formation etc	Session 29: 5/14	Group Presentations 3
Session 15: 3/17		6	Exam Week: Class Gathering	Tuesday May 19 2.45 – 4.45 pm
Session 16: 3/19	Final Project due to Ilearn May 22	Friday May 22

Chapter 1: Strategizing around the globe

Chapter 2: Managing industry competition

Chapter 3: Leveraging resources and capabilities

Chapter 4: Emphasizing institutions and cultures

Chapter 5: Growing & internationalizing the entrepreneurial firm

Chapter 6: Entering foreign markets

Chapter 7: Making strategic alliances & networks work

Chapter 9: Diversifying, Acquiring & Restructuring

Chapter 11: Governing the corporation around the world

Chapter 12: Strategizing with corporate social responsibility

Attendance & Participation (5%): Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Excessive absence will cause a deduction in your overall grade. You will receive a grade between 0 and 100. Students who actively participate in class discussions and attend all the classes should easily get close to 95%. Hope you are looking forward to having lively debates and a fun time in the class.

Very Important For This Class

1. Once grades are in, unless there is a mathematical error, no negotiation for grade changes. 2. After your third absence, your overall course grade can be reduced by 5% for each additional absence. 3. Unless previously agreed upon, your assignment grade will be reduced by 5% for each day it is late.

Assignment #1: Individual Paper: Sector Research Paper

Assignment #1: Key Guidlelines

(A) First pick a sector in a foreign country (not the United States) and then show how one or more companies in the sector used 3 of the strategies from the list below. The strategies chosen should have been used within the last 5 years. The sector (or sub sector) chosen should have at least 3 major companies competing against each other. Please follow the suggested outline for the paper (shown below) and document all your research (citations & bibliography: APA Style).

(B) This paper will be graded for content, organization and analytical input

List of Possible Company or Sector Strategies for the Research Paper #1

1. New Listing on Stock Markets

2. Privatization

3. Outsourcing

4. Diversification

5. Differentiation

6. Localization or local responsiveness

7. Standardization or global approach

8. Changing the Top Management

9. Entering new foreign markets: exporting, acquisitions, licensing, FDI, alliances, joint venture, franchising (each counts as one).

10. Economies of Scale Production

11. Economies of Scope

12. Logistics/distribution management

13. Changing company structure/design

14. General staffing or training strategy

15. Using or developing new technology

16. Natural resource/parts acquisition

17. Managing supplier relationships

18. E-Commerce Strategies

19. New promotion strategies

20. New pricing Strategies

21. Contract negotiation strategy

22. Using Network Relationships

23. Other____________________

Suggested Outline for the Paper #1 (7-10 pages)

I. Introduction (2 pages/ 1 ½ spacing) (Sector Analysis)

A. General country background information (half page)

B. General sector background: history, size, leaders, followers, challengers

C. Patterns of ownership; Main M&A activities.

D. Importance of the sector to the economy (employment etc.)

E. Key Developments in the sector during the period considered.

II. Strategy Exploration: for your 3 chosen strategies (1 page) (1 ½ spacing)

A. Strategy Definition: give an academic definition and explanation of each strategy.

B. Strategy Focus: describe BRIEFLY when & why you think each strategy was used.

III. Strategy Analysis: for your 3 chosen strategies (2-3 pages) (1 ½ spacing).

*** Stakeholder Relationship Analysis: 1. Customers 2. Employees 3. The local community 4. The government 5. Alliances 6. Competitors 7. Investors

Please put short descriptions in the STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS TABLE BELOW. These are brief descriptions of how the strategies impacted the groups or how the groups influenced strategy decisions.

(Below: include the Stakeholder Analysis Table in your paper!!)

Stakeholder Impact Analysis Table

(Impact on )	Strategy I	Strategy II	Strategy III
Customers
Employees
Community
Government
Alliances
Competitors
Investors

A. Most Significant Stakeholder Relationships:

After you complete the table, please explain and analyze the most significant stakeholder impact situations.

B. Competitive Position Analysis (Overall): try to answer the following questions:

a. Was or will the companies or sector be better able to produce or deliver products or services after using these strategies? Explain.

b. Are there any significant weaknesses in the strategies used?

c. Any potential developments that could seriously change the outlook for the company or sector despite the strategies used?

IV. Conclusion (2-3 pages) (1 ½ spacing):

A. How might the chosen strategies impact (or have impacted) long term economic growth, profitability or new business activity in the company or sector ?

B. What did you learn or find interesting in doing the paper?

C. What do you think of the general role of strategy in company or sector performance?

Group Presentation: Strategy Research. Using the comprehensive strategic framework.

Using at least one factor from each of the three strategic consideration (see figure below), please try to explain the major reasons for the general market success or failure of a well-known firm as they responded to a SPECIFIC major opportunity or threat in a foreign country (anytime over the last five years). Please include your definition or understanding of what the factors mean. The presentation should be at least 12 slides. Upload to Ilearn after presentation.

Presentation outline:

I. Describe the initial Situation: background, situation: success or failure

II. Describe or define the strategic factors and why they were chosen by your group.

III. Explain how the factors affected the firm’s behavior and performance

IV. Your Analysis of the outcome: could the firm have done better or worse.

V. Which Strategic perspective best explained the behaviors & outcomes and why.

****Use the strategic analysis framework below to guide you.

Comprehensive Strategic Analysis Framework

Resource

–

Based Considerations

*focus on

internal

capabilities
,

re
sources

& relationships as well

of the company

V)

Value outweighs costs

R)

Rarity of capabilities

I.)

Imitability of capabilities

O)

Organization of activities

Industry

–
Based Considerations

Inter
–

firm Rivalry

Entry Barr

iers

Bargaining Power of Suppl

iers

Bargaining Power of Buyers

Substitute Products/Services

Impact of Networks & Alliances

(5 Forces Analysis & Networks)

Institution

–
Based Considerations

Formal

institutional constraints

such as laws & regulations.

Informal

institutional constraints
su

ch as cultural values, &

social pressures (norms).

Formal & informal International

Market Agreements

The Success

or Failure of

Firms or

Sectors

Final Project (Individual): The Use of Strategic Alliances in Country X & Sector Y

You will produce an information-rich PowerPoint Presentation on the state of Strategic Alliances in a sector & country in either Asia, Latin America or Africa. It should be a minimum of 10 slides, not counting the title slide and the reference slide at the end. Please upload the project to Ilearn on May 22, 2020. A suggested outline for the project might be as follows:

I. Brief country presentation (PEST in no more than 2 slides)

II. Definition/Description of Strategic Alliances & a chosen Sector and the key stakeholders.

III. Major Alliance Partners & Objectives in the chosen sector.

IV. Main Successes or failures of the alliances in the chosen sector. Major reasons explaining the outcomes.

V. Conclusion: overall impact on business behavior & Sector competitiveness of the alliances. Your view of the alliance going forward.

University Policy

SF State Disability Programs and Resource Center

Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email (

dprc@sfsu.edu

). For more information please visit the DPRC website at

http://www.sfsu.edu/~dprc

SF State Student Disclosure of Sexual Violence

SF State fosters a campus free of sexual violence including sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and/or any form of sex or gender discrimination. If you disclose a personal experience as an SF State student, the course instructor is required to notify the Dean of Students. To disclose any such violence confidentially, contact: The SAFE Place – (415) 338-2208;

http://www.sfsu.edu/~safe_plc/

Counseling and Psychological Services Center – (415) 338-2208;

http://psyservs.sfsu.edu/

For more information on your rights and available resources:

http://titleix.sfsu.edu

SF State College of Business Undergraduate Academic Standards

See the third link of this page:

http://cob.sfsu.edu/intranet

San Francisco State University College of Business (SF State CoB) regards incidents of academic misconduct as serious matters. The following explains what academic misconduct is and outlines the consequences of academic misconduct.

A. Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is defined as follows:

1. Cheating: Any unauthorized attempt to offer or obtain assistance in a formal academic exercise (e.g., an examination or class exercise); assuming another student’s identity with intent to provide an advantage for the student; copying, in part or in whole, from another’s test or other evaluation instrument; submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the rules of either course.

2. Plagiarism: The unauthorized use (i.e., representing as one’s own work) or reproduction or close imitation of original creations (ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts thereof; or artistic/scholarly works such as computer programs, photographs, or similar works) of another author (person, group, organization, including anonymous authors) without due acknowledgment (accepted standards of citation or reference of the original source of the used or quoted content).

3. Fabrication: The distortion of data, information, or citations in any formal academic exercise or altering grading or grading instructions.

4. Deception: Providing false information to an instructor concerning a formal academic exercise—e.g., giving a false excuse for missing a deadline, falsely claiming to have submitted work, or submitting false information regarding internships.

SF State Withdrawal from Courses Policy

The CoB will observe the SF State Withdrawal from Courses policy F15-196:

http://senate.sfsu.edu/policy/withdrawal-courses

: Students must enroll in the class by the third week of the semester. Withdrawals are permitted only for serious and compelling reasons. Moreover, the college of business prohibits students from withdrawing from the same course more than once. Please check the deadline for the last day to drop classes. In general, your grades can be reduced if you absent from too many classes.

College of Business Center for Career Services and Professional Development

Please see this link:

http://cob.sfsu.edu/resources/career-services

  or contact Heidi Yu, Director, at

heidiyu@sfsu.edu

,

cobcareer@sfsu.edu

, and (415) 338-2509 or stop by BUS 137.

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