Course Overview:

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the theories, practices, and challenges of managing across borders and cultures in today’s interconnected global business environment. Students will examine how multinational enterprises operate in diverse institutional, cultural, political, and economic contexts, with an emphasis on global strategy, leadership, ethics, communication, and cross-cultural management. Drawing from the top international management textbooks, the course explores how firms adapt and thrive in global markets while fostering responsible and sustainable practices.

The curriculum emphasizes global leadership, ethical reasoning, sustainability, cultural intelligence, and institutional awareness, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the PRME i5 Framework—Innovative, Impactful, Iterative, Interactive, and Inclusive learning methodologies.

The course blends rigorous theoretical frameworks with experiential and globally recognized teaching strategies, including intercultural simulations, global business cases, virtual exchanges, international negotiations, team consulting projects, cross-cultural leadership workshops, and reflection-based assessments. Students will develop the cross-border managerial competence needed to lead with integrity, innovation, and agility in a globally diverse and ethically complex business environment.

This course equips students to manage people and organizations across cultures, develop effective international strategies, and lead responsibly in the dynamic global marketplace.

Course Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will:

Understand International Management Foundations

Explain key theories and concepts in international and cross-cultural management.
Understand the drivers of globalization and the roles of multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Analyze the Global Business Environment

Evaluate the institutional, economic, legal, and political contexts affecting international operations.
Apply tools such as CAGE, PESTEL, and Ghemawat’s framework to assess country risk and opportunity.

Develop Cultural Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Competence

Analyze the impact of cultural differences using frameworks such as Hofstede, GLOBE, and Trompenaars.
Demonstrate strategies for adapting leadership and communication styles across cultures.

Design International Strategies and Market Entry Approaches

Formulate global, transnational, and multidomestic strategies.
Evaluate and select market entry modes such as exporting, licensing, joint ventures, and FDI.

Lead and Organize Global Teams

Identify best practices for managing geographically dispersed, multicultural teams.
Resolve conflict and foster collaboration in international workgroups.

Navigate International Negotiations and Ethics

Demonstrate intercultural negotiation skills in business contexts.
Evaluate ethical dilemmas in international settings and apply responsible decision-making frameworks.

Manage Global Human Resources and Talent Mobility

Compare global HRM practices including recruitment, training, compensation, and repatriation.
Understand challenges of expatriate management, diversity, and inclusion globally.

Evaluate Innovation and Digital Transformation in Global Contexts

Assess how firms leverage technology and innovation in international markets.
Examine the role of digital platforms, data privacy, and emerging market tech trends.

Implement CSR and Sustainability in International Operations

Integrate sustainable development and CSR into global strategies.
Critically assess global standards like the UN Global Compact, ISO, and SDGs in practice.

Demonstrate Global Strategic Leadership