International Business

Course goals

Learning objectives
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Critically appraise the complexity of international strategic decision-making: Analyze how multinational firms navigate diverse challenges and leverage firm-specific and host country advantages in a global landscape.
• Integrate interdisciplinary theories to understand global business challenges: Explore sociological, psychological, and economic perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing international operations.
• Develop innovative strategic solutions for sustainable international success: Formulate and implement strategies that create long-term value in international markets.

Content

Content
This course is crafted for science students who aspire to master the theories and concepts essential for managing the complexities of multinational firms. Our vision is to empower you to navigate the intricate global landscape of the life sciences industry by understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges that come with international operations.

We will explore firm-specific advantages and host country advantages and challenges, examining how these factors intertwine to impact multinational strategies. By learning how to effectively combine firm and location advantages, you gain the strategic insight needed to manage complexity and drive success on the international stage.

The course offers an in-depth examination of three distinct entry modes: utilizing foreign distributors, forming strategic alliances, and executing mergers and acquisitions. We analyze these by applying a wide array of sociological, psychological, and economic theory lenses to develop actionable insights into real world challenges.

Format of work
Lecture, case studies, group presentations, and discussions

Materials
Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP) cases, through link provided by instructor: students pay a fee.

Tests (assessment)
50% assignments / 50% exam