SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY

COURSE OUTLINE
PROGRAM: B.Sc.

1. Course Code MNGT 2515

2. Course Title International Business
3. Credits 3
4. Pre-requisite Course (s) Not required
5. Co-requisite Course (s)
6. Equivalent Course (s)
7. Course Category University Requirement University Elective
(Specify either as Elective
or Requirement and College Requirement College Elective
appropriate level: Department Requirement Department Elective
College, Department,
etc.) Other (specify):
8. Course Owner College: CEPS Department: Management
9. Course Type Lecture
10. Language of Instruction English
11. Course Description
This course provides students with relevant theoretical concepts and practical insights for better
understanding international businesses. It begins with a brief overview of international business, focused
on the concept of globalization. Topics, such as cultural, political, social, and economic factors
influencing international business decisions along with theories of trade and foreign investment will be
covered. The course will then review international firm strategies and their entry modes for developing
successful international business. It will also deliberate on the role of international cooperation in
promoting international business.
12. Teaching/Learning Strategies
A variety of teaching methods will be used in delivering this course. In addition to lectures, students will
prepare assignment/project, reports and take part in debates, group discussions and case studies as per
the course requirements.

13. Evaluation Methods

• Attendance and participation 5%
• Quiz 10% (Week 5)
• In-Class Debates 15% (Weeks 7 - Week 11)
• Midterm 30% (Week 9)
• Final exam 40%
14. Required Course Core Material
Primary Text Book:
Hill, C.W.L. (2023). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, 14th Edition,
McGraw Hill, New York.

Other Material:
As-Saber, S. (2018). The Issue of Global ‘Black Value Chain’ in Readymade Garments (RMG) Industry:
An Ethics, Legal and Governance perspective, South Asia Journal Special Issue: 28-44.

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Eden, L., Lenway, S. (2001). Introduction to the Symposium Multinationals: The Janus Face of
Globalization. Journal of International Business Studies, vol. 32, pp. 383–400.

Marr, B. (2022). The 5 Biggest Business Trends In 2023 Everyone Must Get Ready For Now, Forbes, 3
October, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/10/03/the-5-biggest-business-trends-for-
2023/?sh=7b0132ff4217

Wood, J. (2022). Fourth Industrial Revolution: These 6 trends are shaping the businesses of the future,
World Economic Forum, 4 February, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/market-trends-
reshaping-business-success-forward-thinking/

15. Matching Course Objectives with the Program Outcomes and with SQU Graduate Attributes
* Click here to view a list of action verbs use in developing objectives
SQU Graduate Attributes

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A. SQU graduates should be able to: B. SQU graduates possess
C. SQU graduates should
1. apply the knowledge and skills 1. interpersonal communication skills and relish good citizenship
relevant to the specialization alignment with culture of international qualities, conscious of
2. communicate effectively and use labour market to assist them in practical their national identity and
information and communication life and in living successfully socially responsible,
technologies 2. skills and motivation for independent engage in community
3. critically analyze complex learning and engagement in lifelong affairs and mindful of
information and present it in simple learning and research contemporary issues.
legible manner 3. work ethics and positive values, and
enjoy intellectual independence and
autonomy
4. teamwork skills and display potential
leadership qualities

# Course Learning Objective Relevant Program Outcome(s) Applicable

Attribute(s)
1 Develop an understanding of the worldwide Demonstrate their A1 and C
developments and foundations for international understanding of the
business and the cultural context for managing in complexities, and
international environment opportunities of
international trade through
case analysis, exercises,
class discussion and
extensive class participation.
2 Identify the critical differences between a Develop and demonstrate A1, A3, B2
domestic and international firm and the necessary analytical skills to and C
impact of international competition anticipate, appreciate,
management processes to
meet the demands of
changing global business
and economic conditions

3 Identify and explain the key strategies used by Understand global business A1, A2, B1,
businesses to enter and compete into the strategies and demonstrate, B2, B4 and
international business environment throughout the course, an C
understanding of the
circumstances that would
lead a firm to adopt the
proper strategies
4 Identify and describe the strengths and weaknesses Develop international A2, B1 and
attached to the major modes of entry into international business policies, B4
markets. programs and strategies
required to function
competitively in regional
and foreign markets.

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16. Student Responsibilities
It is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with all University Academic Regulations relevant to participation in
this course. These regulations specifically include the Attendance and Student Academic Misconduct policies.
For attendance, it is the student’s responsibility to be punctual and to attend all classes.
Students are expected to perform their work with honesty and avoid any academic misconduct, which is defined as the use of
any dishonest or deceitful means to gain some academic advantage or benefit. This can take many forms, including but not
limited to, the following: copying, plagiarism, collusion and forging documents. For full details please refer to the

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Undergraduate Academic Regulations and to the Student Academic Misconduct Policy.
Additionally, this course requires that you:

C 3-1: Grade Descriptions (from the handbook of Undergraduate Guidelines)

The grades (with numeric value) for undergraduate courses are described as follows:
A Exceptional performance; all course objectives achieved; objectives met in a consistently
outstanding manner.
B Very good performance; significantly more than the majority of the course objectives
achieved (majority being at least two-thirds); objectives met in a consistently thorough manner. C
Satisfactory performance: at least the majority of course objectives achieved; objectives met
satisfactorily.
D Minimally acceptable performance: less than the majority but more than the minimum required
course objectives achieved; objectives met at a minimally acceptable level.
F Unacceptable performance: minimum required course objectives not met; objectives not met at a
minimally acceptable level; no credit earned.

• You should be aware of University Academic Regulations and those relevant to your
participation in this course are detailedbelow.

• Collusion Policies: You can consult with each other while working on any individual or group
homework, but all the work that you submit must be your own. Discuss the assignments among
yourselves. This is helpful to the learning process. However, direct copying of the work of others work
will NOT be allowed or tolerated and will result in a reduction of grade.

• Attendance Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to be punctual and to attend all classes. Failure
to attend classes without prior approval for whatever reason is considered as part of the percentage
missed. Students bear full responsibility for checking their own attendance record. Attendance records
are kept and an “absentee warning notice” will be issued if a student is absent for more than 10% of the
total contact hours.
• An “absentee withdrawal notice” will be issued and the student will be deemed to have
withdrawn from the course with an “FW” grade if a student is absent for more than 20% of the total
contact hours.

Code of Ethics: Academic misconduct is defined as the use of any dishonest or deceitful means to gain some
academic advantage or benefit. This can take many forms, including but not limited to, the following:
A. Examinations
a) Copying, or attempting to copy, from another student’s work, or permitting another
student to copy from your work
b) Using notes of whatever kind in the formation of answers in a closed book examination
c) Impersonating another student in an examination, seminar or other form of presentation
d) Disrupting the conduct of examinations by illegally obtaining access to examination papers or
answers, and/or distribution of this material to others.
B. Assignments, Essays, etc.
a) plagiarizing: Using the words, thoughts, ideas, results, etc., of another person in a written
assignment, without acknowledging the source, as if it were the student’s own work
b) copying: Copying another person’s answers in an essay, assignment, paper, etc. and
presenting it, either wholly or with minor changes, as if it were the student’s own work
c) colluding: Working with others on an assignment which is intended to be an individual
assignment, and incorporating their material into your work

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d) switching: Submitting work completed for one course in another course without the
permission of the instructor
e) falsification: Inventing data or altering data that have been obtained from legitimate sources
C. Forging University Documents
Submitting or using forged academic documents or forged signatures for the purpose of personal gain or
fraud.
If a student commits an act of academic misconduct, whether defined above or of a different nature, it may
be documented and then one or more of the following penalties may be applied:
Written warning
Downgrading of an assignment or examination
An ‘F’ grade given to the assignment or examination
An ‘F’ given to the course
Suspension from the university for a specified period and
Expulsion from the university

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 COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code MNGT2515 Course Title International Business

Year/Semester Fall 2023 Section 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, & 80
Day, Time, and Place Please consult the SQU Master Timetable at https://portal.squ.edu.om/master-
timetable for a detailed timetable
Course Instructor Dr Sharif As-Saber (Course Coordinator); Ext 2922; [email protected]
Office Location 1014 Office Hours Tuesdays 10.30-1130
Office Ext. 2922 Email [email protected]

Tentative Schedule
Assignment Weight
Week Lecture/Topic Material to be Covered
/Exam (%)
1 Introduction to course, distribution, Chapter 1: Globalization
and discussion of course outlines
An overview of international business
2 IB Environment A Chapter 2: National
Political, Economic, Legal and Differences in Political,
Technological Environment Economic, and Legal
Systems
3 IB Environment B Chapter 4: Differences in
The role of culture Culture
4 IB Environment C Chapter 4: Differences in
The role of culture Culture

5 Exporting, Importing, and Countertrade Chapter 16: Exporting, Quiz 1 5%

Importing, and Countertrade Chaps 1, 2
6 International Trade Theories A Chapter 6: International
Trade Theory
7 International Trade Theories B Chapter 6: International Debate
Trade Theory
8 Formulation of National Trade Policy Chapter 7: Government Debate
Policy and International
Trade
9 Foreign Direct Investment A Chapter 8: Foreign Direct MIDTERM: 30%
Investment Chaps 4, 16, 6,
10 Foreign Direct Investment B Chapter 8: Foreign Direct Debate
Investment

11 The Strategy of International Business A Chapter 13: The Strategy of Quiz 2 5%

International Business Chaps 7, 8

12 The Strategy of International Business B Chapter 13: The Strategy of Debate

International Business
13 Chapter 17: Global Debate
Production and Supply Chain
Management

As-Saber (2018)

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14 Session 1: Marr (2022);
Looking Into the Future: Wood (2022)
Emerging Trends and
Trajectories of International
Business

Session 2:
Course Overview
15 SWOTVAC

16 FINAL 40%
EXAM:
Chapters
4, 6, 8,13,17

03/01/2024
11:30-14:30

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 APPENDIX A: INSTRUCTORS OF MULIPLE SECTIONS
Day, Time,and Office
Section Instructor Location Location Email Office Hours
and
Extension
CE Room 1022
20,50 Dr. Said Al Riyami Ext. 2834
[email protected]

Sunday and
CE Room 1014
70 Dr. Sharif As-Saber [email protected] Tuesday 10.30-
Ext. 2922 1130am
Mon & Wed 10.00-
11.30
Sunday and
10, 30, Dr. Samson Sun & Thurs 10.00- D 104 [email protected]
Tuesday 12:00-
80 Packianathan 11.30 Ext. 6710 1:00
Mon & Wed 08.00-
09.30
40, 60 Dr Ensar Mekic

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 APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL INFOMARION
Course Requirements

1. Class Participation/behavior and Attendance:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected. However, mere attendance in class is not considered as
participation. You are expected to read the assigned chapters and participate actively in the class
discussions. All assignments must be submitted on time. 5% of your grade will be based on your
participation and in class behavior. I expect professional behavior from you as future managers. As a
courtesy to your fellow students and me, please avoid using GSMs, and other distracting behaviors in class.
In a nutshell, Participation/behavior and presentation cover the following areas:
1. Attendance
2. Level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class
3. Involvement in class and group discussions
4. Good class behavior
5. In-class student presentations
6. Level of individual research and contribution to discussions

2. Group Project:

Writing project on a particular international business issue is integral part of assessing the students.
Students will be asked to choose a Multinational Company within the Gulf region, preferably in Oman
and write particulars issues such as entry strategies, operating strategies, socio-cultural strategies on the
chosen MNC. Writing the project will carry 10% weightage and presentation carries 5%. Each group
will be given a maximum of 30 minutes to make the presentation including questions and discussions.

3. Exams:

There will be two exams; midterm and final exam. The final exam will be held during the finals week.
The exams will include multiple choice/essay/case questions. The exams will test your understanding of
the subject rather than just memorizing the concepts outlined in the book. Students are encouraged to
write the exams by correlating real life business examples blended with the concepts learned in the
class. In any case, rote memorization is highly discouraged.

4. Assignments:

There will be an option for assignments instead of quiz which will be complete depend on the course
instructor. The topic of the assignments will be given by the course instructor.

5. In Class Case Analysis.

To supplement the classroom learning with hands on experience, short Omani and Western cases will be
distributed in the class. Students are expected to read, analyze and contribute to the case discussion. This
will give an opportunity for the students to apply theoretical concepts to real life examples by analyzing
Omani companies.

6. PowerPoint Slides, Podcasts and Videos

You can access PowerPoint Slides, Podcasts and videos relevant to the chapters of this course and other
topics at the following location:

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 Sultan Qaboos University
College of Economics and Political Science
Vision
To be internationally recognized for excellence in business and political science education, research and
contributions to socio-economic development

Mission
To provide a learning and research environment benchmarked to international business and political
science standards and engage in national and international strategic partnerships in order to contribute to
national development.

Values
College of Economics and Political Science is committed to preserving the following core values:
Excellence
Integrity
Equity
Collegiality
Commitment
Ethics
Agility

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