Course Overview
Introduction to International Business is designed for students who need a strong foundation in how organizations compete, collaborate, and create value across national borders. The course treats international business as a practical management field rather than as a set of disconnected definitions.
Students will study how globalization affects firms, workers, customers, governments, suppliers, communities, and investors. The course develops the ability to examine a foreign market, compare entry modes, interpret trade policy, understand cultural difference, manage financial exposure, design responsible supply chains, and evaluate strategic alternatives.
The textbook is written for graduate-level learners, but it keeps language clear and application-oriented. Each chapter includes learning outcomes, concept notes, a managerial framework, a practical mini case, learning activities, and review questions.
Course Learning Outcomes
• Explain the major drivers of globalization and the ways international business differs from domestic business.
• Analyze political, legal, economic, cultural, technological, and ethical environments that influence international business decisions.
• Apply trade theory, foreign exchange concepts, market-entry logic, and global strategy frameworks to practical cases.
• Evaluate global marketing, international human resource management, supply-chain, and sustainability challenges.
• Recommend responsible international business decisions using evidence, stakeholder awareness, and risk analysis.
Suggested 12-Week Course Map
Week Topic Core work
Week 1 Globalization and the International Business Mindset Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 2 Political, Legal, and Economic Environments Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 3 Culture, Communication, and Cross-Cultural Management Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 4 International Trade Theory and Government Policy Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 5 Foreign Exchange, International Finance, and Risk Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 6 Market Entry Strategies and International Expansion Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 7 Global Marketing and International Consumer Behaviour Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 8 Global Supply Chains, Logistics, and Operations Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 9 International Human Resource Management Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 10 Ethics, Sustainability, and Corporate Social Responsibility Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 11 International Strategy, Organization, and Competitive Advantage Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 12 Emerging Issues: Digital Trade, Geopolitics, and Future Skills Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Introduction to International Business is designed for students who need a strong foundation in how organizations compete, collaborate, and create value across national borders. The course treats international business as a practical management field rather than as a set of disconnected definitions.
Students will study how globalization affects firms, workers, customers, governments, suppliers, communities, and investors. The course develops the ability to examine a foreign market, compare entry modes, interpret trade policy, understand cultural difference, manage financial exposure, design responsible supply chains, and evaluate strategic alternatives.
The textbook is written for graduate-level learners, but it keeps language clear and application-oriented. Each chapter includes learning outcomes, concept notes, a managerial framework, a practical mini case, learning activities, and review questions.
Course Learning Outcomes
• Explain the major drivers of globalization and the ways international business differs from domestic business.
• Analyze political, legal, economic, cultural, technological, and ethical environments that influence international business decisions.
• Apply trade theory, foreign exchange concepts, market-entry logic, and global strategy frameworks to practical cases.
• Evaluate global marketing, international human resource management, supply-chain, and sustainability challenges.
• Recommend responsible international business decisions using evidence, stakeholder awareness, and risk analysis.
Suggested 12-Week Course Map
Week Topic Core work
Week 1 Globalization and the International Business Mindset Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 2 Political, Legal, and Economic Environments Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 3 Culture, Communication, and Cross-Cultural Management Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 4 International Trade Theory and Government Policy Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 5 Foreign Exchange, International Finance, and Risk Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 6 Market Entry Strategies and International Expansion Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 7 Global Marketing and International Consumer Behaviour Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 8 Global Supply Chains, Logistics, and Operations Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 9 International Human Resource Management Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 10 Ethics, Sustainability, and Corporate Social Responsibility Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 11 International Strategy, Organization, and Competitive Advantage Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Week 12 Emerging Issues: Digital Trade, Geopolitics, and Future Skills Chapter reading, case discussion, application activity, and review questions
Assessment Plan
Assessment Weight Description
Market Environment Brief 15% Students prepare a concise PESTLE-style scan for one selected foreign market.
Entry Strategy Case Analysis 20% Students recommend an entry mode and justify the choice using risk, control, resources, and learning goals.
Global Operations or Marketing Application 20% Students analyze either a supply-chain/operations issue or an international marketing adaptation problem.
Final Applied Project 30% Students prepare a full international opportunity report with strategic, ethical, and operational recommendations.
Participation and Knowledge Checks 15% Discussion posts, short reflection tasks, and MCQs.
