97344 - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Learning outcomes

Upon successfully completing the course, students will understand the concepts of strategy, industry, and competition, and the main challenges firms encounter when competing in international markets. They will have acquired sufficient knowledge to assess the attractiveness of an industry and the sources of a firm’s competitive advantage, focusing on multinational enterprises.

Course contents

After providing students with the basics about the concepts of strategy, industry, and competition, this course delves into the business and corporate strategies employed by multinational enterprises, especially in the face of swiftly evolving technological landscapes, changing demands, and dynamic institutional environments. Operating globally not only grants companies entry into new markets and access to diverse resources but also exposes them to novel fountains of information and knowledge, fostering innovation and competitive strategies. The course goes beyond exploring opportunities and delves into the challenges posed by a business environment characterized by increased complexity, diversity, and uncertainty, factors distinct from those encountered by companies primarily focused on their domestic markets.

Key topics covered include:

- Globalization

- The concept of strategy

- The industry and its evolution

- Analysis of the industry attractiveness

- Business strategy, and the sources of a firm’s competitive advantage

- Corporate strategy: Diversification and vertical integration

- Global strategy and the multinational corporation

- Entering developed and emerging markets

Readings/Bibliography

For the preparation of the course, students are expected to study the following materials:

- Grant R. M. (2019). Contemporary strategy analysis. 10th edition, Wiley. Chapters: 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12.

• Chapter 1: The Concept of Strategy
• Chapter 3: Industry Analysis: The Fundamentals
• Chapter 7: The Sources and Dimensions of Competitive Advantage
• Chapter 8: Industry Evolution and Strategic Change
• Chapter 10: Vertical Integration and the Scope of the Firm
• Chapter 11: Global Strategy and the Multinational Corporation
• Chapter 12: Diversification Strategy

- Additional readings in the form of academic articles centered on topics related to international business, which will be downloadable from the Virtuale online platform.

- Slides prepared by the instructor, uploaded at the end of each week on the Virtuale online platform.

Teaching methods

- Lectures focused on topics related to international management.

- Discussion of case studies.

Assessment methods

To successfully complete the course, students are required to pass a written exam consisting of a combination of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The exam format includes approximately five multiple-choice questions, each worth two points, and two open questions or exercises, each valued at 11 points. The duration of the test is one hour.

The final grading, following a scale of 0-30, adheres to the criteria outlined below:

<18: Insufficient

18-23: Sufficient

24-27: Good

28-30: Very good

30 e lode (>30): Excellent

It is important to note that the final written exam is the same for both attending and non-attending students. (The attendance to classes is mandatory, although exceptions may apply, as specified by the regulations).

Teaching tools

• Case studies
• Articles from business magazines
• Lecture slides
• Video

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Giachetti