University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business

 

COMMERCE 498: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT      

 

Comm 498 Section 101: MWF 10:00-11:00am   Swing 305

Comm 498 Section 102: MWF 2:00-3:00 pm      HA 326

Comm 498 Section 103: MWF 3:00-4:00 pm      HA 326

 

Professor Masao Nakamura

Office:HA 261 Tel.822-8434 Fax 822-8477

Email: masao.nakamura@sauder.ubc.ca        [Please include "c498 Section #" in your e-mail's subject line]

Office Hours:  MW 11:00am - 12:00pm or by appointment

 

Many aspects of business decisions are affected by issues of international nature.  These international business issues are broadly classified into the following five categories: country factors, the global monetary system, global trade and investment environment, the structure of international operations, and operation-specific issues.  In this course some of the important topics from each of these categories will be discussed.   Application of analytical concepts and methods as well as development of communication skills will be emphasized.  The course is integrative by design and you are encouraged to apply your knowledge from other areas of business management to international business problems.  Class time will consist of both lectures and student group discussions.  Group term papers will be required (see below).

 

Text:

Elements of Multinational Strategy, Keith Head, Springer, 2008.  Hard copies (paperback) are available in the UBC Bookstore.

Hard copy are also available from Springer for US$26.20 incl. shipping from:    http://www.springerlink.com/content/v64n4k/mycopy/  

 

Readings:

Required readings in a course package (mini cases RP #1-6) are sold in HA 423.  Additional readings and class lecture materials will be provided.   

 

Class attendance:

It is important to attend the classes regularly since many discussions in the class are not included in the text or the materials provided.  Please keep your class notes up-to-date.  Exams will cover all materials discussed in the class.  

 

Your digital photo:

Some portions of marks will be based on your class participation.  For this reason you must provide your digital photo to the Faculty so that your photo appears on my class list.   

 

Group discussions of mini cases:

Each student will belong to one of the groups.  Each group must prepare for brief and verbal presentations of the assigned mini cases and must answer given questions.  All presentation questions and discussions will be covered by the exams.

 

Group project: presentation and paper

Each group is required to work on a term project and give a class presentation on it.  Topics of these projects will be provided. 

 

*** Further details of the course will be provided in the first class on September 9th (W). ***