Time Schedule:
Paula J Laschober
I BUS 330
Seattle Campus
The international environment for transnational trade, investment, and operations in the less-developed countries; survey of the economics of underdevelopment; analysis of foreign economic, cultural, and political environments and their impact on international business; foreign investment in the development process; case studies. Prerequisite: I BUS 300; may not be repeated. Offered: A.
Class description
This class focuses on the business environment in Latin America, principally through business cases relating to specific companies and the decisions that must be made. While all countries are included in the overview, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico are examined in more depth. Issues covered: political economy; investment environment, including environmental and indigenous issues; foreign market entry, expansion, and capital sources; cross-cultural communication, marketing and negotiation; foreign factories and free trade zones; regional and global integration/trade agreements; financial, foreign exchange and country risk concerns; debt, currency and banking crises; role of the IMF; entrepreneurship/business development; and micro-finance. Industries include: semi-conductors, electricity, wine, telecommunications, electronics, soft drinks, banking, and office products/B2B Internet retailing.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Class format: case analysis/discussion/decision-making, discussion of articles and videos relating to case issues, business news updates, role-playing (negotiation exercise), student team project presentations. Students will select projects in consultation with instructor.
Recommended preparation
I BUS 300.
Class assignments and grading
Nine short (2-3 page) case study reports; 1 case lead assignment (teams). Role representation and reflection on negotiation exercise. Submittal of class discussion question on each reading assignment. One multi-media project presentation (teams). Reports on current business news and participation, participation, participation.
48% case analyses/presentation, 12% negotiation exercise, 15% questions for class discussion, 5% current news presentations, 10% team project presentation, 10% general class participation.
