Section outline

  • Overview

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    Dear students!

    A Warm Welcome to your class in

    INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT


    The table above provides a quick overview on sessions and topics.

    • Students must
      Mark as done

      About the exam

      - 120 minutes, 120 points

      - 20 MCQs, each worth 1.5 points (one answer possible, no deductions for wrong answers)

      + 4 case/short answer questions (each worth 30 points, choose 3 out of the 4)

      All exercises in Moodle are designed to prepare students for the exam.

    • Script File
      Students must
      Mark as done

      The script can be used in the exam without notes.

  • General Information

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    Activities: 6

  • 1 - Strategy

    Go to section 1 - Strategy
    Unit Objectives
    1. Understand definitions and elements of a strategy
    2. Differentiate different schools of strategy
    3. Recognize strategy development as a process
    4. Identify Generic strategies and competitive advantage
    5. Apply some of the tools for strategy development

    Activities: 18

  • 2 - Globalization

    Go to section 2 - Globalization
    Unit Objectives
              1. Comprehend the history, drivers, and dimensions of globalization
              2. Explain the consequences of the Old and New Silk Road
              3. Contribute to the discussion on globalization
              4. Describe the development and motives of the multinational corporation
              5. Understand the models of MNCs: Centralized Hub, Decentralized Federation, Coordinated Federation, Integrated Network
    Activities: 18

  • 3 - Global Integration/Local Responsiveness

    Go to section 3 - Global Integration/Local Responsiveness
    Unit Objectives
              1. Comprehend the conflict between standardization and adaptation
              2. Know how to build efficiency, flexibility and learning in a global context
              3. Recognize strategic orientations and diagnose companies
              4. Understand how to build worldwide competitive advantage
              5. Apply I/R and AAA framework analysis 


    Activities: 11

  • 4 - Emerging Country MNCs/ Role Models

    Go to section 4 - Emerging Country MNCs/ Role Models
    Unit Objectives
              1. Recognize emerging market MNCs as important players in the international competitive environment
              2. Understand the primary characteristics of emerging country MNCs and their models of international expansion
              3. Understand the different roles subsidiaries may play
              4. Differentiate main role typologies and recognize their applicability in various companies
    Activities: 9

  • 5 - Trade Theories, Market Barriers, Global and Regional Integration

    Go to section 5 - Trade Theories, Market Barriers, Global and Regional Integration
    Unit Objectives
              1. Know the most important theories of international management
              2. Compare and contrast the main categories of preferential trade agreements
              3. Understand the rationale for the creation of both the European union and the Euro Zone
              4. Explain the role of the world trade organization in facilitating global trade relations among nations
              5. Understand the role and importance of preferential trade agreements and how they impact the international strategy of firms
    Activities: 18

  • 6 - Comp. Advantage of Nations

    Go to section 6 - Comp. Advantage of Nations
    Unit Objectives
              1. Understand the diamond model including the role of the government and the emergence of industrial clusters
              2. Explain how nations can enhance their competitive advantage
              3. Analyze how the competitive advantage of nations and firms are linked
    Activities: 15

  • 7 - Country Culture/Corporate Culture

    Go to section 7 - Country Culture/Corporate Culture
    Unit Objectives
              1. Understand cross-cultural risk and the key concepts of culture
              2. Know the role of culture in international business
              3. Interpret subjective versus objective dimensions of culture
              4. Be able to discuss contemporary issues in culture
              5. Know how to overcome cross-cultural risk: managerial guidelines
              6. Know the characteristics of corpporate culture
              7. Appreciate the benefits of corporate culture
    Activities: 21

  • 8 - Foreign Operation Modes I

    Go to section 8 - Foreign Operation Modes I
    Unit Objectives
    1. Oversee the main foreign market entry strategies/ operation modes
    2. Comprehend exporting and its forms as primary the foreign market entry strategy for many SMEs.
    3. Know the export documentation, the central Incoterms and payment methods
    4. Realize that countertrade is a popular approach for emerging markets and developing economies
    5. Understand how importing, outsourcing and offshoring are important for MNCs are essential in global competition.
      Activities: 17

    • 9 - Foreign Operation Modes II

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      Unit Objectives
      1. Recognize the differences and applicability between licensing and franchising
      2. Comprehend the forms and facets of joint ventures.
      3. Understand international collaborative ventures and strategic alliances
      4. Realize that foreign direct investment is a popular approach for emerging markets and developing economies
      5. Describe the challenges to cross border M&A
      Activities: 23

    • 10 - Formal/Informal Coord./International Organization

      Go to section 10 - Formal/Informal Coord./International Organization
      Unit Objectives 

      Formal and Informal Coordination Mechanism 
      1. Understand formal and informal coordination mechanisms
      2. Explain the selection of coordination mechanisms

      International Organization 
      1. Understand the importance of appropriate organizational structures to effective strategy implementation.
      2. Become familiar with the types of organizational designs suitable for the level and scope of internationalization of the firm.
      3. Appreciate the role of “human networks” in achieving business goals.
      4. Realize how organizational design affects manager’s job, for example, on the level and location of decision making.
      Activities: 12

    • 11 - CSR

      Go to section 11 - CSR
      Unit Objectives
      1. Appreciate the complexities involved in the corporation’s obligations and its various constituencies around the world.
      2. Understand the changing perceptions and demands of corporations doing business in other countries, in particular the responsibilities toward human rights.
      3. Acknowledge the strategic role that CSR and codes of ethics must play in global management.
      4. Provide guidance to managers to maintain ethical behavior amid the varying standards and practices around the world.
      5. Recognize that companies must provide benefits to the host country in which they operate in order to maintain cooperation
      6. Discuss the need for corporations to consider sustainability in their long-term plans in order to manage environmental impacts on host locations.
                                                                                 7. Identify the challenges involved in human rights issues when operating in around the world.


      Activities: 16

    • 12 - International Marketing

      Go to section 12 - International Marketing
      Unit Objectives

      1. Know the Global Marketing Strategies and the key decisions in international marketing between standardization and adaptation
      2. Know the major issues, tactics and strategies in the Global Marketing Mix:
      - Global branding and product development
      - International pricing
      - International marketing communications
      - International distribution
      3. Be able to systematically screen country markets

      Activities: 16

    • 13 - Selected Business Function - International Human Ressource Management

      Go to section 13 - Selected Business Function - International Human Ressource Management
      Unit Objectives
      1. Understand the strategic importance to the firm of the IHRM function and its various responsibilities
      2. Know the major staffing options for global operations and the factors involved in those choices
      3. Emphasize the need for managing the performance of expatriates through careful selection, training, and compensation
      4. Discuss the role of host country managers and the need for their training and appropriate compensation packages

      Activities: 8