Syllabus
BA 545: Global Business Issues
Balmer 413, Mondays 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. with dessert social after
Friday Summit: Nov 21, 3:30 -5:30 p.m.
“Global leadership is different, remarkably different”…”You can’t drive a business the same way in Russia, China or Africa”…”When I was working in Mexico, they expected a more authoritarian/distant style of leadership…the opposite of my MBA training”…”It’s the kiss of death to say, ‘This is the way we do it back at headquarters.’”
–Quotes from executives judged “highly successful” in international roles*
Overview
The Global Business Forum is a class and discussion forum where professionals from around the world share their insights into the complexities of doing business globally – differences encountered, obstacles overcome, advantages discovered, and solutions developed. MBA and other graduate students will have the opportunity to interact with these speakers, discuss relevant issues and develop their own conclusions and best practices. This forum and class is sponsored by the UW Global Business Center with the support of the U.S. Department of Education Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) program.
Objectives:
• To examine issues arising from doing business around the world
• To build knowledge of how business works differently in different countries and regions
• To define the additional skills and qualities that are required of global business leaders
• To learn best practices from people who have been there
2008-09 Focus. This year the forum will spotlight business issues related to BRICs – Brazil Russia India and China – the emerging power economies singled out by Goldman Sachs as the “brick” of global business in the next decades. Speakers will also address broader global issues as well as examine additional regions, including Africa, the Middle East and the “new BRICs,” the next wave of emerging business centers.
Schedule for the Academic Year:
Autumn 2008 Day program China and East Asia – new BRIC: Korea
Winter 2009 Day program Russia and Europe – new BRIC: Turkey
Evening program Middle East and Africa – spotlight: TBD
Spring 2009 Day program Brazil/The Americas – new BRIC: Mexico
Evening program India/South Asia – new BRIC: Indonesia
Requirements
BA 545 is worth one credit and may be taken three times for credit. Students also may register for additional quarters without credit as many times as they wish. Participation for credit for three quarters is a requirement for the Global Business Certificate program.
If taken for credit, you must meet the following requirements
• Attend the eight lunchtime speaker sessions. (It’s OK to miss one)
• Participate in the Friday Summit on Nov. 21 – 3:30-5:20 p.m.
• Lead one session discussion and blog with your team (sign up on first day)
• Read and contribute to blog discussions – respond to at least one other team. http://uwgbf.edublogs.org
• Download course materials from Blackboard for background and read materials related to your selected topic.
• Write a short paper (4-5 pp) on a topic related to East Asia, drawing upon speakers, discussion – and two approved readings of your choice. Internet pages/sites do not count as readings.
• Email categ@u.washington.edu your topic selection by Nov. 7.
Please sign up to take responsibility for at least one speaker. This responsibility includes
• Introducing the speaker (be here 5 min early; bios and links on edublog site)
• Developing questions and leading the in-class Q&A
• Taking good notes of important points and posting them on the blog
• Hosting the speaker in the social session
• Leading the blog discussion; all team members must contribute to the blog. Sample entry topics – additional/new questions you have; what struck you/surprised you/encouraged you, etc. and why, lightbulb moments, connections to your own experience. Speakers may participate.
