OVERVIEW

The course aims to introduce students to international business and management. Major topics of the course are the global manager’s environment, global strategies, multicultural management, cross-cultural negotiation and decision making.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce students to international business and management. Major topics of the course are the global manager’s environment, global strategies, multicultural management, cross-cultural negotiation and decision making.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of globalization processes and their implications for the management of internationally operating firms. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical learning—supported by real-world case studies and guest lectures from industry professionals—the course develops students’ ability to critically interpret the challenges and opportunities arising from the transformation of global markets. Particular emphasis is placed on the strategic and organizational responses companies adopt to compete effectively on an international scale, with a specific focus on intercultural management. Within this framework, the course explores key topics such as organizational dynamics and leadership in culturally diverse environments, intercultural negotiation practices, international contract management, and the operational models through which firms establish and manage their presence in foreign markets.

At the end of the course, the student will know and understand:

• The key features of the international business environment, critically interpreted in relation to globalization and the internationalization processes of firms;
• The growth and management strategies adopted by multinational and global companies, as well as the main organizational models for operating effectively in foreign markets;
• The theories and models of intercultural management, with an understanding of the impact of cultural differences on business relationships, marketing, and organizational dynamics in multicultural contexts;
• The principles, tools, and challenges related to intercultural international negotiation and international contracting, with specific reference to the export operational cycle;
• the strategic and operational approaches through which companies establish and manage their presence in foreign markets, including case studies and real-world business examples;
• the fundamentals of human resource management in international organizational contexts, with particular attention to intercultural dimensions;
• the key concepts and technical terminology of international business, necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

The student will be able to:

• analyze international contexts and assess the opportunities and risks associated with expanding into foreign markets, applying theoretical models and practical tools;
• understand and address issues related to international competition and the strategic and operational decisions involved in global market expansion;
• develop effective managerial solutions by selecting appropriate modes of entry tailored to specific international contexts;
• identify and manage cultural differences across various areas of international business, applying the principles of intercultural management with awareness and competence;
• identify, analyze, and appropriately use the main international contractual tools, including those relevant to foreign trade and export operations;
• apply the knowledge acquired both conceptually and practically, with independent judgment and adaptability across different international business settings;
• develop autonomous learning abilities to independently explore the main topics covered in the course, particularly in light of the continuous updating required by the discipline.

PREREQUISITES

 Students are expected to be familiar with concepts such as:

• business management
• competitive advantage and competitive strategies
• international marketing

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures in Italian.

Attendance: Attendance is not compulsory; students can choose to study the syllabus for attending or not attending students (see italian syllabus).

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Serena Scotto (scotto@economia.unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• The international business environment: globalization and new scenarios
• Strategies and organization of the multinational enterprise
• Intercultural management
• Intercultural international negotiation
• The operational cycle of the export process: contracts, delivery terms, and international payments
• Operating in specific foreign markets
• Case studies and testimonials

During the lectures, real-life examples and case studies will be continuously presented to increase students’ awareness of the practical implications of the material explained by the instructor and to help them acquire the skills targeted by the course.

Students from previous academic cohorts are required to prepare for the exam based on the current academic year’s syllabus.

Attention: the course is taught in Italian.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For Erasmus students studying the Italian programme: see on Aulaweb

For Erasmus students studying the English programme (non-attending only): specific indications on reference bibliography will be provided by the professor at the beginning of the lectures and will be published on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course is taught in the first semester, following the calendar and schedule indicated on the page of the Department of Economics.

Schedule and classrooms are available at the easyacademy. Check on EasyAcademy

Class schedule

INTERNATIONAL INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam with open-ended questions.

In case of exam failure, students cannot take the exam on the following call (appello) and need to skip a date. The can take the exam on the following call if that call belongs to another exam session.

If students do not accept a positive grade (18 or more), they can retry the exam on the following call.

Incoming mobility students do not have to skip a call in case of failure.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Questions will explore both theoretical and applied aspects of the subject. The student is expected not only to know the core concepts of the discipline, but also to be able to apply them to real situations, making reference to cases explored during classes or to original examples.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.

The lecturer analyzed and considered the results of the teaching evaluation questionnaires relating to the previous academic year.