34539 - INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

The student is able to analyze the impact of globalization on firms strategic decisions. He is focused to customization of company's offering in different countries, and to standardized/differentiated approach to competition in different countries, to choices of reconfigure their business model on an international basis.

Contenuti

This course aims to form students’ knowledge in the area of International Management. Specifically, students will develop capabilities to identify, frame and understand problems related to the management of international operations. Throughout the course issues are discussed in both theoretical and practical terms to stimulate students to relate models and concepts with practical situations.

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• understand the implications of operating across national borders
• analyze different combinations of international strategies and organizational structures
• analyze how different aspects of the organizational environment affects knowledge development and transfer
• tackle problems related to controlling and managing foreign operations
• understand the roles of, and challenges facing, MNC subsidiaries and headquarters

In regards to these theme-based learning goals, students are expected to be able to:

• apply central concepts from the literature in their applied work
• analyze and evaluate concepts and perspectives
• critically discuss the pros and cons of different management-related problems introduced in class
• be able to create a whole out of the different elements of the course

Throughout the course students will be encouraged to adopt different perspectives to nurture critical thinking and to form an overarching understanding of the phenomenon studied.

Specific topics of this course:

• Globalization and cultural differences
• Internationalization process
• Market entry decisions
• Organizational structures
• International strategies
• Control of foreign operations
• Subsidiary roles and parenting advantage
• Transnational knowledge and innovation management

Testi/Bibliografia

Textbooks

Hill, Charles W. L.: Global Business Today (9^th ed.): - Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, cop. 2017 (Chapters 1-4-13-17)

Forsgren, M. (2017) ‘Theories of the Multinational Firm: A Multidimensional Creature in the Global Economy’, Third Edition, Edward Elgar

Articles

Articles will be provided before course start

Case studies

Case studies will be provided before course start

Metodi didattici

The course uses a combination of lectures, seminars with student-based activities, and case studies. The high level of interactive activities requires a high degree of engagement and participation from the students. The students will inevitably become a tightly knit group. The main pedagogical form is “problem-based learning”, i.e. active participation from the students is required. All participants are expected to read ahead the assigned literature and to be prepared to discuss.

Lectures by the teacher are related to the main topics of the course. Their purpose is also to provide a theoretical background for seminars, assignments and in-class discussions.

Seminars will be based on the discussion of articles, core theories and assignments. The students will be divided into groups.

Case studies will be carried out during the course. Each student has to read the case material before the class will take place. In class will take place the discussion of the cases where students will present their analysis and engage in structured discussion. The goal of the case-work is that students should apply principles and teachings received as well as test their analytical skills developed during the course.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The students will be graded on the basis of in-class activities (group presentations), which accounts for 50% of the grade. The remaining 50% will be covered by a written Final Exam (structured as multiple-choice questions with an online format). To take the exam, students have to register in Almaesami.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

The course will be held using different types of resources. PowerPoint presentations of the lectures will be made available online.

The teacher will be available one hour before the start of each class. If you need to book an appointment, please do so by sending an email to the teacher.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Francesco Ciabuschi