Course Introduction & Assessment Details

Course Overview & Intended Learning Outcomes

This course is jointly taught by six departments in College of Business.

Upon completing this course, students will be able to: Describe the social, historical, economic, political,

cultural and technological forces that drive the process of globalization.

Analyze the pros and cons of global economic and cultural integration and the impact of globalization on income re-distribution among stakeholders. 

Synthesize and evaluate the effects of globalization on a variety of business practices.

Factors Influencing Global Business Key factors influencing global business

strategy can be summarised under the PEST heading:

Political, Economic, Social, Technological.

FactorsGlobal

Business

Political Factor

Political Change – Change in government through democratic election can influence future business strategy. e.g. the opportunities that are now available in Russia and

Eastern Europe following the collapse of communism

Political Uncertainty – Political uncertainty can lead to a fall in investment by businesses and influence decisions on expansion and business ventures

War/Terrorism – create uncertainty

Economic Factor

All following factors need to be considered in any global business venture: Legal and institutional factors – litigation risks, labor laws

etc. Investment Considerations and Allowances Sophistication of Financial Markets – ease with which

capital can be moved and raised Commodity Prices – oil, energy, metals Monetary and Fiscal Policies – interest rates, tax and

customs policies, government aid Internal Regulation and Bureaucracy Exchange Rates

Social Factor

Religious Considerations – appropriateness of some business ventures – e.g. selling condoms in staunchly Catholic countries

Impact on local communities of business development – availability of jobs, training, environmental impact for these communities

Impact on the environment – can impact on the businesses image

Ethical considerations Cultural issues

Technological Factor

Availability and developments in technology can have a powerful influence on global business strategy: Access to bandwidth

PC ownership

Technology and sales – processing payments and sales

Compatibility of technologies in Business Management – accounting systems, language differences, etc.

Globalization and Business Functional Areas

FactorsGlobal

Business

Management

Logistics

Accounting

Finance

Marketing

Information Systems

Teaching Instructors

Instructor Department E-mail Address

Dr. Isabel Yan Economics and Finance efyan@cityu.edu.hk

Mr. Kelvin Mak Accountancy ackm@cityu.edu.hk

Mr. Didier Guillot Management dguillot@cityu.edu.hk

Dr. Vincent Fok Marketing mkfokv@cityu.edu.hk

Dr. Raymond Lau Information Systems raylau@cityu.edu.hk

Dr. Biying Shou Management Sciences biying.shou@cityu.edu.hk 

Dr. Kevin Chiang Management Sciences wchiang@cityu.edu.hk

Overview of Management ModuleInstructor: Mr. Didier Guillot (MGT)

Current debate on whether or not globalization has disengaged Asia from the traditional world economic engines led by the U.S. economy.

Emerging strength of China as a new centre of gravity in Asia, economically and geopolitically among others.

The issue of intertwining of international business and management seen through comparative eyes.

Major challenges and the sources of such challenges in global supply chain management.

Examples of strategic, tactical and operational decisions in supply chain management.

Selected trendy topics in global supply chain management will be discussed.

Overview of Logistics/Supply Chain ModuleInstructor: Dr. Biying Shou (MS)

International accounting, management control, taxation and auditing environment and the relating issues that global businesses are facing with.

This module will lead you through the development of accounting practice

in the globalized business environment. help you to appreciate the roles played by different

accounting functions in international businesses.

Overview of Accounting ModuleInstructor: Mr. Kelvin Mak (AC)

Overview of Economics & Finance Module

This module analyzes the various channels of economic and financial linkages across countries and discusses their implications. In particular: The changing patterns of international trade and

investment are analyzed.

Will use the Asian financial crisis of 1997 as a case study to illustrate the impacts of increasing linkages across the globe.

Instructor: Dr. Isabel Yan (EF)

Marketing is a process of identifying customers and satisfying their needs. The first half of the module discusses the impact of

globalization from the consumers' perspectives. The second half of the module is about selling goods

overseas. New challenges include but not limit to operating in different languages, cultures and practices, and regulations and spending patterns.

Overview of Marketing ModuleInstructor: Dr. Vincent Fok (MKT)

This module will: First explore how ICT facilitates the smooth

operation of a world wide web of interacting business units or individuals through several real-world examples such as Alibaba.com, Amazon.com, Facebook, and so on.

Second study the practical know-how of connecting to the global information network after attending this module.

Overview of Information Systems ModuleInstructor: Dr. Raymond Lau (IS)

Course Assessments

Assessment tasks include Participation 20%

Project and presentation 45%

Exam 35%

Assessment Details: Participation Participation means both listening and

speaking Attendance Contribution to class discussions

Try to ask interesting questions, or offer good examples and insights.

Your contributions will count for more if you build on the comments/insights offered by others in the class.

Don’t take things personally. Have an open mind - be inquisitive and skeptical.

The purpose of class participation is learning.

Assessment Details: Project

Project Students are required to complete a group

project during the semester. Each group should consist of 3 or 4

members. At the end of the semester, each group is

required to present the assigned project and submit a written report.