GMGT 603

Advanced Topics in International Business Management and Leadership

Format

Blended (Online Sync + Async)

Weekly Hours

4-5 hours

Credits

3 Credits

Prerequisites

Admission to the M.S. in Global Engagement Management program or executive training

Course Description

This advanced graduate seminar examines contemporary and emerging topics in international business management and leadership. Building upon foundational concepts in global business, this course explores the strategic, operational, and human dimensions of leading organizations across national and cultural boundaries. Students will engage with cutting-edge research, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications addressing the challenges of globalization, digital transformation, sustainable development, and geopolitical complexity. Topics include advanced global strategy formulation, cross-cultural leadership competencies, international human resource management, global supply chain resilience, digital business models in emerging markets, ESG leadership, managing multinational teams, and navigating political and economic uncertainty in international operations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1

Critically evaluate contemporary theoretical frameworks and empirical research in international business management, synthesizing insights to address complex global business challenges.

2

Design strategic approaches for multinational enterprise operations that integrate cultural intelligence, stakeholder considerations, and sustainable business practices across diverse geographic contexts.

3

Analyze the impact of geopolitical, economic, and technological forces on international business strategy and leadership, applying scenario planning and risk assessment methodologies.

4

Apply advanced cross-cultural leadership theories to diagnose organizational challenges and develop evidence-based interventions for managing diverse global teams.

5

Evaluate ethical dilemmas and ESG considerations in international business decision-making, demonstrating principled reasoning and stakeholder accountability.

6

Formulate executive-level recommendations for international business challenges through rigorous research, collaborative problem-solving, and professional communication.

Weekly Schedule

15-week course schedule with topics, content, and assessment due dates
1

Course Introduction & Contemporary Global Business Landscape

Megatrends reshaping international business; WEF Global Risks Report

2

Advanced Global Strategy Frameworks

MNE theory evolution; integration-responsiveness paradigm

Discussion Post 1
3

Cultural Intelligence & Global Mindset

Cultural dimensions; developing cultural intelligence

Case Analysis 1
4

Cross-Cultural Leadership Competencies

Leadership styles across cultures; expatriate management

5

International Human Resource Management

Global talent management; compensation strategies

Discussion Post 2
6

Managing Global Virtual Teams

Virtual collaboration; distributed leadership

Case Analysis 2
7

Geopolitical Risk and Strategic Response

Political risk assessment; scenario planning

Research Proposal
8

Digital Transformation in Global Business

Platform economies; digital internationalization

9

ESG Leadership and Sustainable Business

Stakeholder capitalism; SDG integration

Discussion Post 3
10

Global Supply Chain Resilience

Supply chain risk; reshoring decisions

Simulation Begins
11

Emerging Markets Strategy

Institutional voids; bottom-of-pyramid strategies

Case Analysis 3
12

Ethical Leadership in Global Contexts

Bribery and corruption; ethical decision frameworks

Simulation Report
13

Innovation and Knowledge Management in MNEs

Global R&D networks; knowledge transfer

Research Paper
14

Final Project Work Sessions

Peer review; faculty consultations

Project Draft
15

Final Presentations & Course Synthesis

Executive presentations; peer evaluation

Final Submission

Assessments

Course assessments and their weight in the final grade

Case Analyses

30%

Three international business case analyses (2,000-2,500 words each): Cross-Cultural Leadership, Global Virtual Teams, Emerging Market Entry (3 x 10%)

Due: Weeks 3, 6, 11

Final Project: Strategic Advisory Report & Presentation

25%

Comprehensive strategic advisory report for a multinational organization (5,000-6,000 words + 15-20 min presentation)

Due: Week 15

Research Paper

20%

Independent research project on advanced topic in international business (4,000-5,000 words)

Due: Week 13

Global Leadership Simulation Exercise

15%

Multi-week business simulation with team reflection report (1,500-2,000 words)

Due: Week 12

Participation & Discussion Posts

10%

Three substantive discussion posts (400+ words) demonstrating integration of course concepts

Due: Weeks 2, 5, 9

Course Resources

Required readings and open educational resources

Required Texts

International Business Strategy: Rethinking the Foundations of Global Corporate Success (4th ed.)

Verbeke, A. (2022) - Cambridge University Press

ISBN: 978-1108476652

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business (Updated ed.)

Meyer, E. (2022) - PublicAffairs

ISBN: 978-1610392501

Global Leadership: Research, Practice, and Development (4th ed.)

Mendenhall, M. E., Osland, J. S., & Bird, A. (2023) - Routledge

ISBN: 978-0367619480

Open Educational Resources

MIT OpenCourseWare: Global Strategy and Organization
World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
OECD iLibrary: Multinational Enterprise Guidelines
UNCTAD World Investment Reports
Harvard Business Review: Open Access Articles on Global Leadership
World Economic Forum: Global Risks Report and White Papers