International Business: Description

Courses that are offered in the International Business option are critical to all MBA students. The global economic community, excluding the United States, includes approximately 75-80% of the world’s economy and 95% of the world’s people. An understanding of this ever-expanding element in business is no longer essential, it is mandatory. As a reference point, sixty years ago, after WWII, the total economy outside of the United States represented only one-third of the World’s output. A business professional was not compelled to understand the world. Today, an understanding of international business is considered a basic ingredient for success in the new global business environment.

The International Business option stresses an understanding of the economic, legal political, and socio-cultural issues in evaluating international opportunities and competitiveness in business. The approach is to explain the differences to our local market, explain the significance and more importantly the evolution of these differences so that the student will have the tools to understand how international business will unfold in the future. This is a dynamic and changing environment—as demonstrated by the fall of the Soviet Republic, the dramatic opening of markets (e.g. China), the development of economic blocks, (e. g. NAFTA and the EC), the shift of industries to new countries (e. g. industrialization of developing countries), and the shift of capital and ownership of major businesses between countries (e. g. 30% of major corporations in the United State are foreign owned). The International Business curriculum is meant to develop MBA graduates who are prepared to compete in the global community. An International Business option MBA student has the opportunity to learn about the global aspects of finance, human resource management, information systems, and marketing.

Currently there are businesses that recruit MBA graduates for their understanding of cultures by country for assignments such as cultural integrators (translate cultures). Equally important are MBA graduates who can work in foreign environments that can also transfer technology. The business community is looking for both international experts and other experts that can transfer their technology effectively to other countries.

Compensation in this area is complex with salaries range up to 200% and beyond similar salaries with in the United States (International Business, Griffin and Pustay 3rd Ed.) Differences occur country by country based on cost of living differences, allowances to “make employees whole” (no added cost to the employee compared to not taking the assignment), hardship incentives (incentive to take an assignment in a less desirable community) and the need for specific types of employees (type of technology you have in addition to adaptability to a new country). Also lump sum payments (cash-bonus) are becoming more common in more companies, occurring approximately twenty-five percent of the time with foreign assignments (H/R Focus, March 1998 p S4). Most important is the long-term value that more companies on putting on this career path. Many large companies are requiring managers who are considered for top assignments to have had foreign assignment experience.

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International Business: Elective Courses

AG BUS 240. International Trade and Agriculture (3). Analysis of global markets and national trade policies; economic principles underlying free trade and WTO; regional integration and growth/development; protectionism/preferences impact on capital investment flows, firm productivity, industry competitiveness; domestic farm programs, international commodity agreements, agricultural trade distortions. Lecture and cases.

MBA 231. Seminar in International Finance (3) Prerequisite: MBA 212. An advanced study of theories and techniques in global finance and investment. The international financial system; currency markets; risks and exposure management; balance of payments; political risks; international banking and capital markets; Euro currencies; portfolio and foreign direct investment. Lecture and cases. Spring semester.

MBA 241. Seminar in Comparative Human Resource and Industrial Relations Systems (3). Prerequisite: MBA 210. Analysis of human resource and industrial relations practices of transnational and multinational corporations operating in the global environment. Particular emphasis on the emergence, evaluation, structures, functions and challenges of labor movements in developed and less developed countries. Lecture and cases.

MBA 251. Seminar in Information Systems in a Global Environment (3). Analysis of systems through study and application of systems theory; special emphasis on information systems. Application of systems theory in national and international environments; lecture and case analysis. Fall semester

MBA 261. Seminar in Global Marketing and Logistics (3). Prerequisite: MBA 214. Analysis of problems of product design, channel structure, promotion, and inter-organization cooperation and control in international marketing. Negotiation, bargaining, and contracting across national boundaries. Special emphasis on the importance of logistics in generating customer satisfaction in both domestic and international markets.

MBA 289T. Seminar in Business Topics (3) Prerequisite: completion of 9 units of 200-level courses and permission of Graduate Director. Theory and developments in business. Irregular offerings.

MBA 290. Independent Study (3-6) Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy; permission of Graduate Director and Faculty Advisor. Approved for SP grading. Fall or Spring semester.

MBA 292. Readings in Business (3) Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy; permission of Graduate Director and Faculty Advisor. Approved for SP grading. Fall or Spring semester.

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International Business: Contact

Prof. Tom Burns (MBA, Pepperdine University)
Director of CSB Family Business Institute
E-mail: tombu@csufresno.edu
Phone: (559) 278-3077
Fax: (559) 278-4911

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