INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The instructional goals of the course are the following: - gaining knowledge of concepts and theories of international business, - understanding tools and models that allow to interpret and critically analyze the opportunities and challenges arising from operating across a firm's national borders, - developing the ability to apply such knowledge, tools and models to the analysis and resolution of concrete problems in the field of international management.

Fundamentals of management will be taken for granted

Attendance and active participation to the formative activities proposed by the course, coupled with systematic individual study, will allow students to achieve the following learning outcomes: 1. Knowledge and understanding 1.1 Knowledge and understanding of the different theoretical approaches to the study of the international competitive context 1.2 Knowledge and understanding of tools and models for the interpretation of the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary firms that operate in international markets 1.3 Knowledge and understanding of the different strategic options available to firms willing to enter international markets and expand their international presence 2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding 2.1 Ability to apply the different theoretical approaches to the analysis of the international competitive context 2.2 Ability to apply models and tools to interpret the relevance of challenges and opportunities that firms face when operating in international markets 3. Judgement 3.1 Ability to determine which theoretical approaches, tools and models are more appropriate to effectively evaluate the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary firms that operate in international markets, in relation to the economic, social, institutional, and technological specificities of the different foreign markets in which they operate 3.2 Ability to critically evaluate the most suitable strategic paths to internationalization, given the economic, social, institutional, and technological specificities of the different foreign markets in which they operate

The course will cover the following topics: - Globalization of markets - The analysis of the international competitive environment - Global competition and its implications - Principles of international strategy - Foreign country choice - Foreign entry modes - The internationalization process - The management of the multinational firm - The role of Global Value Chains

Scientific papers and other material provided by the Professor. Students can gain additional in-depth knowledge by studying the following book: International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, 14th Edition ISBN10: 1260387542 | ISBN13: 9781260387544 By Charles Hill - McGraw Hill © 2023

The course teaching method is based on the combination of frontally-taught classes, teamworks, and practitioner guest lectures. Teamworks require students to analyze real-world case studies dealing with some of the most important theoretical topics covered in the course, to collaborate to solve strategic problems proposed by the instructor, and to discuss possible solutions in the classroom, with the aim to develop competences in the application of models, tools and theoretical approaches to real-world business cases, and to build up capabilities in the critical evaluation of different strategic paths to internationalization. Practitioner guest lectures allow to put into contexts tools and theoretical models by leveraging the speakers' direct experience in the strategic management of real-world firms.

Continuous assessment methods will be adopted for this course. Every week, students will be required to participate in different types of in-class activities. The final grade will be composed as follows: - 70%: continuous assessment 30%: final exam

Highly motivated students should submit an extended abstract detailing: (1) a proposed title for their thesis; (2) the research problem; (3) the research question; (4) the relevant literature streams ; (5) the proposed methodology