The course is designed to develop students’ ability to understand the challenges and opportunities involved when organizations and their leaders cross national and cultural boundaries. Accordingly, we will explore two broad sets of issues: On the macro-side we will discuss the main environmental, institutional and cultural influences on international business and the basics of strategy, especially strategy as designed and implemented in multinational organizations. On the micro-side we will outline the basics of communicating, motivating and leading across cultures and contexts, with a special emphasis on what it takes to be effective in international work settings

While engaging with this course, students will:

• Critically analyze and assess key theories and practices in global strategy and international management.
• Understand how international strategy is designed and implemented, considering both macro and micro-level influences.
• Develop awareness and appreciation of environmental, institutional, cultural, and organizational, influences that shape strategy and management practices across borders.
• Reflect critically on global leadership and ethical decision-making in diverse and dynamic environments.

Strengthen communication and collaboration skills through class discussions, group work, and case-based learning.

Attendance is mandatory in all units that are held in presence mode on campus as well as in all synchronously held online units of the course. Justified and pre-announced absences of no more than 20% of the mandatory teaching hours will be tolerated.

The course is designed to be an intellectually challenging and practically useful learning experience. It will employ a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, case studies, videos, and various exercises and projects.  Although the activities will vary, the objective will always be the same: to improve the students’ understanding of the complexities and the dynamics of the international business environment and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective when working across borders.

Please note that it is not permitted to use artificial intelligence (AI) especially “ChatGPT” in our SBWL courses. In specific sessions the use of AI may be scheduled. This will be explicitly announced by the course instructor.

* Detailed description of assignments to follow 

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By e-mail: Mila Lazarova