Online Course Modules: Archived Modules

The Culture module offers one a general understanding of the following: what is meant by culture, why it is important to learn about other cultures, and the different levels of culture in society; various dimensions of and approaches to understanding culture; the implications of cultural differences in conducting international business; the impact of culture on business negotiations and how to conduct business successfully in a foreign culture.

The Global Market Opportunity Assessment module informs one on the following issues: why it is important to assess global market opportunities; how companies conduct market opportunity assessment; what makes market research effective; practical approaches to identifying foreign market opportunities. A sample global market opportunity assessment questionnaire and a case study on Thailand’s growing importance in the global export market are also included in the module.

The Key Industry Drivers of Globalization module offers one a general understanding of issues including: the historical circumstances and the forces that currently drive globalization; the implication of globalization on business in the U.S.; the key drivers for a successful global strategy; and the four basic forces that drive globalization.

The Legal Framework of International Business module can help one better understand the laws of governance of the sea and air, and how such rules and regulations can impact international business as well as advertising laws throughout much of the world. This module will be able to help those looking to launch their products and services internationally by laying out some of the political and legal aspects of doing business in multinational markets. A case study on the U.S. Passenger Services Act is also available.

An Introduction to Microfinance discusses the basics and beginnings of the microfinance industry and provides those looking to invest in microfinance with some basic information for commencing such endeavors. The module will address: The beginnings of micro-credit; investing in microfinance; the ideal client and money practices of the poor; microfinance worldwide: agents of social change; and a case study on the microfinance institution, BRAC, is also included.

The module on international entrepreneurship is helpful for understanding the forces that make it possible for entrepreneurs to rapidly internationalize. This module will discuss the drivers of international new venture creation, the technology associated with new venture creation, as well as the barriers and incentives.

This module on identifying and measuring drivers of global entrepreneurship is helpful in understanding some of the emerging trends in practices and business models of international new ventures.

The Multinational Logistics module informs one of the circumstances dealing with the following: what logistics and supply chain are and how they differ domestically and internationally; the types of issues that are involved with international transportation; international inventory matters; warehousing and product storage topics and how international logistics augments these; and the management issues that multinational logistics creates.

The International Monetary Systems module provides one with information concerning: the history of the International Monetary System; the importance of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, including their basic purposes and functions; what money markets and international money markets are; what international capital markets are and their function in both developing and high-income countries; international security markets; and the basics of the European Monetary System. A case study on Argentina’s recent economic crisis is available.

The Internationalization Process of the Firm informs on the following issues: the internationalization process of companies that want to conduct international business; the different frameworks and theories regarding how companies handle the internationalization process; the role of company size on a company’s ability to efficiently achieve its internationalization goals; the factors that dictate the choice of a particular foreign market entry mode; and why gradual entry used to be the method of choice, but is becoming obsolete.

The Ethics module gives one insight into the following areas: the definition of ethics; the importance of ethics in business; how religion relates to ethics in the marketplace; the main tenets of, and ethical behavior in, the world’s religions; the ideals and obstacles of ethical behavior in different market settings; broad ethical themes governing how people should behave in the marketplace; the definition and qualities of an ethical manager. A case study on ethics and downsizing is also provided.

The International Negotiations module offers one general insight into the following: the importance of negotiations; the basics of international negotiations; cultural influences on negotiations; culture-specific strategies and tactics used in the negotiation process; and qualities that an international negotiator must possess.

The Global Marketing module, formerly the Multinational Marketing module, provides one with information on topics including: an introduction to international marketing; issues that face international marketers; some factors that determine whether or not a company should attempt a global strategy; and the issues related to product, placement, promotion, and pricing decisions in a global environment. A case study on Gillette’s use of international marketing strategies when it launched the Mach 3 razor is also included.

The Regionalization and Trading Blocs module provides one with information on: what globalization means, its impact on business, and the forces that are driving it; the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, as well as who is in favor of globalization and who opposes the movement; what the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) are, how they work, and what their history is; the history and purpose of some of the world's largest and most influential Regional Agreements: NAFTA, MERCOSUR, ASEAN, and the EU; and the basic premises of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that is currently under negotiation in North, South, and Latin America. A case study on Quebec’s language laws is also provided.

The Tariffs, Quotas, and Non-tariff Barriers module outlines the following components: the basics behind tariffs and quotas, including under what circumstances the WTO/GATT prohibits tariffs and quotas; the various types of non-tariff barriers that countries use to restrict imports; how the GATT has impacted the creation of non-tariff barriers; different types of subsidies; countervailing duties; the purpose and importance of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule; the basics of U.S. customs law; and the methods used by customs to determine an imported good's value when assessing tariffs. Also included is a case study on the recent disagreement between the U.S. and the EU over bananas.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) module provides information pertaining to: The historical origins of NAFTA; facts of NAFTA and member states; Canada's role in NAFTA; Mexico's role in NAFTA; future developments towards regional integration. This module provides in depth information on the economic effects of NAFTA and the future possibilities that NAFTA holds. A case study on the U.S.-Canadian software lumber dispute is also included.

The Multinational Sourcing module contains information pertaining to the following issues: what international sourcing is and why companies chose this option; the international sourcing process, including the steps of progression from domestic to full international sourcing; countertrade, the different types of countertrade, and the issues to consider when conducting countertrade. A case study on multinational purchasing at Paradyne is also provided.

The World Religions module informs one of the following religious insights: the basic history and ideas of religion; the relationship between religion and ethics; the major ideas of Christianity and the economic implications of that religion; the main tenets of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism and the economic implications of doing business in an Islamic, Buddhist, or Hindu country; and the economic implications of the Confucian way of life.

The Organizational Structure of MNCs module provides information on the following: the organizational structures of multinational companies (MNCs); and how MNCs try to find the right combination of organizational structure and strategy. A cast study on Proctor and Gamble’s structural reorganization is also provided.

Microfinance Institutions and Recent Debates looks at four microfinance institutions (MFIs), their lending practices, programs, clients, and overall organizational profile. This module will also address some of the recent debates surrounding the commercialization of microfinance institutions. In this module, we will cover: FINCA International; The Grameen Foundation; FONDEP Micro-Credit; Controversy at Compartamos; and a case study on the transition from non-profit, to for profit MFIs by Paulette Stenzel.