International Business

International Business

Major Courses

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School of Economics and Management

All

KCCBG1MCA1

2.00Credits

講義 (Lecture)

Spring semester 2026

(Spring semester)

GONG Yuanyuan

School of Economics and Management
Global Business Course

English

4／8／9

After class or appointment by email

kyo@em.u-hyogo.ac.jp

1◎／3◎／2〇

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N/a

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Course Description:
The ability to analyze and understand international business is essential for being a successful businessperson in the globally integrated world. This course provides theoretical and practical learning of basic knowledge to understand 1) the international environment for business, 2) strategies of multinational enterprises, 3) comparisons of foreign and Japanese MNEs.
Throughout this course, the students will look at trending topics in international business and relate them to the theoretical tools, to develop a deep understanding of a firm’s strategic behavior as well as its organizational capabilities.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, the students should be able to:
1) Understand and discuss basic terms and concepts in international business;
2) Comprehend different models and theories and apply them to analyze the business activities of MNEs;
3) Understand the differences in the external environment and how they affect the behavior and capabilities of MNEs. 

Table of contents(Tentative)
1. Introduction to International Business
2. International Trade, Foreign Direct Investment, and the Rise of MNEs
3. The Global Division of Labor
4. Cultural Distance and Transcultural Management
5. Global Integration and Local Responsiveness
6. Organizational Structure of MNEs
7. Global R&D Management within MNEs
8. *Midterm Group Presentation*
9. International Strategic Alliances
10. Cross-border M&As
11. Human Resource Management in MNEs
12. Comparisons of Foreign Multinationals and Japanese MNEs
13. The Rise of MNEs from Emerging Markets
14. Being Multinational from the Start: Born-Global Firms
15. Doing Business in the BOP Markets

This tentative schedule may be adjusted according to the level of students' understanding.

In-person

• In-person classes only
• Not subject to the cap on distance-education credits

Limited permission for use

In this course, the use of Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) is permitted with strict limitations. The goal is to use AI as a tool, not a replacement for thinking process.
Students are permitted to use generative AI for the following situations:
1. Brainstorming: students may use AI to generate lists of potential topics or to narrow down a broad interest.
2. Clarification: students may use AI to explain complex concepts or theories they encounter in their learning process.

Students are NOT allowed to use AI for:
1. Generating core ideas or data for analysis.
2. Citing information sources. (AI often "hallucinates" non-existing citations. Students must read the references and cite them by themselves.)

1. [ISBN-13:‎ 978-1265038540] Charles Hill (2022) "International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace", 14th ed., McGraw-Hill Education.

2. Handouts from the lecturer. Additional reading materials will be distributed in advance.

Other references and supplemental readings will be provided during lectures.

1. Read the assigned reading materials before classes (about 10~15 hours in total).
2. Prepare assignments and presentations (about 6~7 hours in total).

1. Group discussions and group work (in almost every class)
2. Case study (1~3 cases)
3. Presentations by students

Assessment:
Midterm group presentation (30%), final report (35%), contribution to classes by making remarks, group discussions (20%), submission of assignments (15%)
Meanwhile, the students must submit more than 2/3 of the assignments to receive credit for this course. Assignments handed in late will not be graded except in special circumstances.

Grades of assignments will be given via Google Classroom. Comments on assignments and mid-term presentations will be given during classes.

None.