Class email list available at this link:BA 410 Class email list.
About the course: Globalization is perhaps the most important single issue in Business today. Exactly what this term means, whether it is beneficial to world society in general or to the US specifically is not clear. Any time the WTO meets (or any gathering of world economic or political leaders) large scale demonstrations take place protesting the actions of the developed nations on the planet and in support of the non-developed nations. We have seen multiple trade agreements and organizations created--NAFTA, CAFTA, the WTO, the European Union, the World Bank--with the aim of promoting free trade in the world. What is the ulitmate effect of this free trade??? Who benefits? Who suffers? It is difficult to determine the answers to these simple questions. In this class, we shall endeavor to find some answers. Any business student who wishes to work in the globalized trade environment must have an answer for themselves as to whether their work is beneficial or harmful to the larger society. You shall spend considerable time reading the opinions of others who are knowledgable enough to give considered opinions. Most time will be given to the ideas of Tom Friedman, columnist from the New York Times and the author of the four assigned books in the class. He looks at the issues of globalization from the perspectives of the third and second world and how the first world interacts with the other two. The world is a very dynamic place and we in the first world cannot control all of the elements in the second and third. They have demands, needs, unique cultures, diverse religions, competitive strengths, and weaknesses that are unique to each country. You will spend much time exploring these issues and studying the structures created to provide order to world trade through Friedman's work and your individual research. Each student in the class will hopefully find their own answer to these complex questions. Expect to do a bit of research on cell phone services--though I am sure all have some personal experience as consumers. Also expect to know a quite a bit about Turkey by the time you are done.
Required Texts:
These texts are best obtained on-line from Amazon.com or another online site. Used book are just fine and different ISBNs (different editions) are fine also. Save a buck or two if possible.
Evaluation and Grading:
Each student will write a series of papers based on their insights from Friedman's four books. The papers will be based on the following scenario: You are the manager of an EU (European Union) firm that markets cell phones and cell phone service. Your firm provides cell phones and accessories in a retail store format and you sell the monthly cell service that utilizes third party cell infrastructure (cell towers). You have been instructed to develop a plan to export your company services to Turkey. The current thinking is to use local infrastructure and bring the cell phones in from company plants in the EU. Your focus is not to be on the operational aspects (we don't want a discussion on how to build a cell tower) but on the issues Friedman brings up in his books and how they would affect the project. You may well look at the details of retail marketing in another culture--for example. You may well look at how the culture would look at a cell phone and cell communication. You may want to look at 'creative' methods of selling cell service. You may want to look at the possibility of outsourcing billing and accounting services.
The papers should blend together somewhat--looking like four parts of a larger whole. You may well refer to discussion from earlier papers and you would certainly use the material from the previously assigned and read books in later papers. The goal is really to develop a sense of how an understanding of the issues of globalization would affect a manager's decision making. As you will be the manager, the goal is also for you to develop your definition of globalization and its effects. You can expect to do some research on cell phone operations-though I am sure you have experience as a user. Expect also to do some research on the target country and the market for your product in that country. Some of your sources will be from this quest. You have to know your product and the dynamics of the target market to make informed decisions about your entry strategy. Your recommendations should be as detailed as possible.
The evaluation criteria for the papers is as follows:
Papers will be submitted via email as they are completed. You will need to get moving quickly as there is a lot of reading to do. Good luck and do good work!
Last updated 11/05/09 by RDL