Syllabus

Title
2076 International Risk Management and Hedging
Instructors
Assoz.Prof. PD Dr. Jakob Müllner
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/16/22 to 09/26/22
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Thursday 10/06/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 10/13/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 10/27/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 11/03/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 11/10/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 11/17/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Thursday 12/01/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 12/15/22 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM D1.1.074
Contents

Just like large multinational corporations, SMEs venturing in international markets face liability of foreignness. Unlike MNEs, however, SMEs are less diversified, dispose of fewer resources and commonly have less knowledge about foreign markets. Hence, the liability of foreignness is exacerbated by, what could be referred to as “liability of smallness”.

To overcome these liabilities, internationalizing SMEs require a clear strategy and professional risk management. These country-related risks include, but are not limited to credit risk, political risk and socio-cultural risks. Most importantly, SMEs internationalizing into foreign markets face exchange rate risks. Despite disproportional exposure to exchange rate risks, “Many SMEs fail to grasp foreign exchange risk. (Bolshaw, 2013)”. In a study conducted by Giambona et al. (2018), 48% of non-financial firms rate foreign exchange risk as the most important or a material risk in international business.

The course covers SMEs’ risks in internationalization with particular focus on the financial and strategic management of exchange rate risks. This course is designed to teach students (a) the theoretical frameworks necessary to understand exchange rates' effects on firms (b) familiarize them with internal, contractual, external and strategic hedging instruments and (c) systematically reflect on the challenges of SMEs operating in multiple currency areas.In addition to these traditional treasury strategies, the course includes an extensive discussion of organizational issues in SME risk management and long[1]term strategic remedies for reducing the risks of internationalization.

Learning outcomes

During the course, students

  • acquire a fundamental understanding of exchange rate determination and forecasting on a macro-economic level;
  • are familiar with exchange rate quotation customs;
  • have a detailed understanding of different exchange rate exposure concepts (book exposure, transaction exposure and economic exposure);
  • can analyze the corporate hedging process in SMEs from a theoretical perspective;
  • can implement simple internal and contractual strategies to mitigate foreign exchange risks in SMEs.
  • can calculate and implement more complex external hedging strategies (forwards, futures, options)
Attendance requirements

Attendance of all synchronous sessions is mandatory.

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • The course combines several learning components:
    • In-person and online video lectures
    • Online learning assignments after each class.
    • Teaching Case Studies
    • Final exam
Assessment

Grade composition:

  • Group case studies                                                    30 %
  • In class participation                                                  10 %
  • Final exam (individual):                                             60 %

The course is supplemented by an online script. 


Group case studies:

All students read 3 case studies. In addition, students are assigned to six groups and write an essay on two of the cases (see syllabus). The essays must be no longer than 4 pages and are handed in on learn@wu.

The task is to:

  1.  Summarize the case background and academic lesson (1 page)
  2. Apply course theories and concepts on the case (1 page)
  3. Conduct a “deep-dive” reflection into one aspect of the case. Students should engage with related academic literature, conduct an internet search on their topic of choice or provide other cases. The reflection should go beyond the primary content of the case. Students should ADD to the case rather than summarize it (2 pages).

Grading criteria for the case studies:

  1. Writing & Form                                  (15%)
  2. Understanding of course content        (25%)
  3. Academic quality of reflection           (30%)
  4. Own student research              (30%)

 

Detailed instructions for editing the online script will be available on Canvas. Please use the forum for technical discussions.

Recommended previous knowledge and skills

Basic command of EXCEL and basics of Corporate Finance.

Availability of lecturer(s)

Digital open office upon request.

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1 06.10.2022

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Admin and Introduction
Course admin
Introduction

2 13.10.2022

Before Session: Read Group Case 1: Volkswagen (Srinivasulu) (no submission required)

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Topics & Lecture Casts

  • S2_Exchange Rates
  • S3_Exchange Rate Exposures

Case Discussion 1:
Srinivasulu, S.L. 1981. Strategic Response to Foreign Exchange Risks. Columbia Journal of World Business. 16(1) 13.

3 27.10.2022

Before Session: Submission of Group Case 1: Aracruz (Zeidan) (group submission)

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Topics & Lecture Casts

  • S4_Organizing Hedging
  • S5_Hedging Instruments I

Case Discussion 2:
Zeidan, R. & Rodrigues, B. 2012. The failure of risk management for nonfinancial companies in the context of the financial crisis: lessons from Aracruz Celulose and hedging with derivatives. Applied Financial Economics, 23(3): 241-50

4 03.11.2022

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Topics & Lecture Casts

  • S6_Hedging Instruments II
5 10.11.2022

Before Session: Submission of Group Case 2: AIFS (Desai) (group submission)

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Topics & Lecture Casts

  • S7_Calculation Session I

Case Discussion 3:
Desai, M. A., Sjoman, A., & Dessain, V. 2005. Hedging Currency Risks at AIFS

6 17.11.2022

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Topics & Lecture Casts

  • S7_Calculation Session II
7 01.12.2022

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074

Summary & Q&A

8 15.12.2022

Presence Module
11:00 AM - 14:00 PM
Room: D1.1.074


Final Exam
90 Minutes

Last edited: 2022-09-20



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