Global Business Environment

Classroom Location: Blended /TBA

Course Lecturer Name(s): Dr. Reccia Charles  

Course Director Name: Dr. Reccia Charles  

Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information: Phone: 444.4175 ext 3260, Fax: 473.444.1655, Email: rcharles1@sgu.edu  

Course Director Contact Information: Phone: 444.4175 ext 3260, Fax: 473.444.1655, Email: rcharles1@sgu.edu   

Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours: By appointment via Zoom   

Course Director Office Hours:  M/W/F:11a-12:30 & 3p-4:30p, T/Th: 4p-5p  

Course Lecturer(s) Office Location: Windward Hall 2nd Floor  

Course Director Office Location: Windward Hall 2nd Floor

Course Support: Mahalia Charles mcharl11@sgu.edu X3863 

Course Management tool: To learn to use Sakai, the Course management tool, access the link https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf  

Online Classroom: http://mycourses.sgu.edu  

Course Description:

This course explores the global forces shaping Caribbean and international business. The course considers the macro-business environments of the Caribbean region through the exploration of globalization, political systems, major world economies, and the formation of trade blocks and the regulation of trade. This course provides an inter-disciplinary overview of the main theories and issues related to the performance of the Caribbean in the global economy.  The course will emphasize and analyze the causes and consequences of the 2008 global economic and financial crisis from alternative theoretical perspectives as well as the emergence of China and other countries as key players in the global and Caribbean economies.  Other issues to be studied include a brief overview of free trade theories,  the role of the WTO, climate change and global warming, economic integration and the challenges faced by the European Union, CARICOM and the CSME, the power and influence of multinational companies, foreign exchange markets and currency manipulations, the growing power of drug traffickers and organized crime, the search for more effective approaches to combat hunger and underdevelopment, the need to ensure sustainability and protect the environment, the political economy of migration and tourism, and other related issues.

Course Objectives: 

1. Acquire a thorough understanding of the process of globalization.
2. Understand the main arguments of the critical approaches to globalization.
3. Develop an understanding of the impact of a diverse and changing macro-international environment on the Caribbean organization.
4. Discuss the regulatory, political and economic frameworks that Caribbean and international organizations have to work within.
5. Highlight the benefits/issues of trading internationally and the goals of regional/international trade groups
6. Discuss the world economy and the issues faced using the macro-economic frameworks that underpin the global economy.
7. Discuss the Caribbean organization in the context of international markets and the global competitive environment.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the process of globalization
• Critique the main arguments of the dominant approaches to globalization
• Discuss the classical liberalism and neoliberal perspectives on trade and protectionism
• Critique the Marxist, mercantilist and feminist perspectives on capitalism, globalisation and financial crises
• Understand free trade theories, various types of protectionism and the role of the WTO
• Evaluate the achievements and current challenges of the European Union, CARICOM/CSME • Understand the use of trade as a foreign policy tool
• Assess the international financial system, the role of the IMF and the causes and consequences of the 2008 global crisis
• Demonstrate an understanding of  the role of currency manipulation in the global economy (the dollar, the Euro, the Real and the Renminbi)
• Explain the emergence and importance of the BRIC countries
• Identify the political economy angles of innovation and technological change
• Evaluate alternative theories and policies for achieveing development, sustainability and povety alleviation
• Discuss the debate over climate change and global warming
• Assess the growing challenges  posed by the illicit global economy, brain drain and tourism
• Evaluate the net impact of multinational corporations
• Understand the role of social entrepreneurship

Program Outcomes Met by This Course:

Gen Ed: Critical Thinking; Global Learning; Ethical Reasoning & Action; Inquiry, Analysis, & Problem Solving; Knowledge of Caribbean Society; Oral Communication; Teamwork. 

BMS:

• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills. (ISLO 3)
• Critically think, motivate and collaborate to solve business problems. (ISLO 4)

SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:  

 

A  = 89.5% or better

B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%

B  = 79.5 - 84.4%

C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%

C = 69.5 - 74.4%

D = 64.5 - 69.4%

F = 64.4% or less 

Course Materials:

Required Text:

• GBE Handouts (Location: Sakai Modules)

Supplementary Readings/Resources:

The Economist (found in Founders Library)

The Financial Times (online)

 

In addition to the main text, the lecturer will distribute reading materials to generate discussion. Students are expected to read links, websites and case studies added at the end of each chapter which support the principles and ideas presented in the chapters.  Course Requirements and Percent of Grade: Composition of final grade:

Midterm (I)	25%
Final (I)	30%
Group Project (G)	25%
Assignments (G)	20%

100%

KEY: (I) = Individual Activity (G) = Group Activity

1. This is a seminar course. Students must keep up with the readings in both the text and the reading volume, and be prepared to discuss the material in class on the assigned days. Read critically, evaluating in light of your own experience and knowledge. Each of you has much to contribute and I expect you to do so! Attendance is mandatory.
2. Midterm and Final exams. The midterm and final exams are a mix of multiple choice / Short answer items.
3. Assignments. Assignment teams will be made up of 2-3 students each. There are 4 assignments worth 5% each. Each assignment is due at the end of each module. This team class exercise is designed to provide you with a sound understanding of each module. Your team assumes the role of lead consultants that will advise the class on the critical issues presented, and explicitly considering and rejecting alternative sides of the issue because of the analysis, the sources (real & fake).
   The teams will be advising the class via a short 2-page brief. All students must keep up with the readings in both the text and the Sakai reading modules, and be prepared to discuss the assigned reading material and cases in class. Read critically, evaluating in light of your own experience and knowledge.
4. Group Project Presentation. Trade Fair – The New Stars of the Global Economy.

This team project is designed to provide you with a sound understanding of how all aspects of the macroeconomic environment intersects with the country environment and the business environment.

Specifically, you will act as your chosen country’s Secretary of Trade and try to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).  As such you will need to discuss concepts like but not limited to: economic, geographic, demographic, social-cultural, political, legal, infrastructure, financial and business stability. The final presentations will be due April 15 via the Sakai Dropbox. Teams will be made up of 2-3 students each.

1. Country Selection

Select a country that the other teams in the class have not selected.

2. Pitch Selection

You will have access to Audio-Visual Equipment, and a table on the presentation day.

3. Pitch Strategy

After selecting a country, you can begin devising a strategy to successfully market the country to potential investors. You should draw on the material covered in class and carefully lay out a complete Investment package. Your final presentation will include a 6-foot table that you can decorate as you deem appropriate as well as the audio-visual equipment for your use. The Trade Fair will be presented formally during week 15. The Presentation will be 15 to 20 minutes in length. The written materials (the PowerPoint) should be free of grammatical errors, spelling errors, and typos, and should follow consistently a standard reference format (APA Style); the report should be documented and the bibliography should be comprehensive, from a variety of sources, and with an emphasis placed on recent sources (at least 5 ranging from 2013 onwards). Students are required to provide periodic updates to the instructor prior to the submission of the final projects.

The panel of investors will vote in three different categories:

• Best Investment Opportunity
• Best Pitch
• Best in Show

Tentative Course Schedule:

WEEK	Readings: Book Chapters/Cases/Sakai Reading Module Location.
1	Sakai Module 1
2	Sakai Module 1
3	Sakai Module 1
4	Sakai Module 2
5	Sakai Module 2
6	Sakai Module 2
7	Sakai Module 2
8	Midterm Exam
9	Sakai Module 3
10	Sakai Module 3
11	Sakai Module 3
12	Sakai Module 3
13	Sakai Module 3
14	Sakai Module 4
15	Sakai Module 4/Project Presentations (Project DUE)
16	Final Exam

Module 1

• Internationalization & Globalization: History of International business, trends from local, regional and international markets. What is international political economy? Geo politics/supranational organizations.
• Alternative perspectives on globalization: The world's economies and international integration
• "Laissez-Faire": the economic liberal perspective
• Understanding the 2008 global financial crisis and its impact on Caribbean Economies
• Wealth and power: the mercantilist perspective
• Economic determinism and exploitation: the structuralist perspective
• Alternative perspectives on international political economy
• Constructivist and feminist perspectives 

Module 2

• The production and trade structure
• The international monetary and finance structure (IMF & World Bank)
• The changing role of the dollar and the euro
• The debate over the undervaluation of the renminbi and its implication for international trade
• International debt and financial crises - the Caribbean in comparative perspective 
• The global security structure
• The knowledge and technology structure

Module 3

• The 'development' conundrum: choice amidst constraints & the international competitive environment
• Regionalism: toward a more 'perfect' European Union & CARICOM
• Moving into position: the rising powers
• China, India, Brazil and Russia (The BRICs) and the world economy
• The Middle East & China: the quest for development and democracy

 Module 4

• The illicit global economy: the dark side of globalization

• Migration and tourism: people on the move, population demographics and the 'brain drain'

• Transnational corporations: the governance of foreign investment

• Food and hunger: market failure and injustice

• Oil and energy: dependency and resources curses

• The environment: steering away from global disaster

• Climate change and global warming