International Business with case studies in German automotive industry

An understanding of international business is essential for students in today's interdependent global world. This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand the global economic, political, cultural and social environment within which firms operate. It will examine the strategies and structures of international business and assess the special roles of an international business's various functions. It will also prepare students to formulate and execute strategies, plans, and tactics to succeed in international business ventures.

In-class exercises, mini-projects as well as homework and case studies will demonstrate real-world applications of international business and management concepts.

At the end of the course students should be able to:

1. Understand the most widely used international business terms and concepts.
2. Identify the role and impact of political, economical, social and cultural variables in international business.
3. Analyze international business from a multi-centric perspective, avoiding ethnocentrism.

An integrated teaching model will be adopted by combining lecturing with group discussions, individual assignments, home exercises, case analysis and presentations. Special attention will be given to automotive industry in Germany and European Union.