Strategic Management for International and Global Organizations
Format
Hybrid with Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
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 graduate-level course examines the theories, frameworks, and practices of strategic management in international and global organizational contexts. Students analyze how multinational enterprises, international NGOs, and global institutions develop and implement strategies across diverse political, economic, and cultural environments. The course integrates traditional strategic management concepts with contemporary issues including digital transformation, artificial intelligence applications, sustainability, and emerging market dynamics. Through case analysis, applied research, and work-integrated learning experiences, students develop competencies in environmental scanning, strategic positioning, cross-border collaboration, and global value chain management. Emphasis is placed on leveraging AI and digital technologies as strategic tools while addressing ethical and governance implications.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Analyze global competitive environments using established strategic management frameworks, synthesizing institutional, cultural, and economic factors to inform organizational strategy.
Evaluate foreign market entry and expansion strategies, assessing risk-return trade-offs and organizational capabilities for international operations.
Design strategic initiatives that integrate artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance organizational competitiveness in global markets.
Apply cross-cultural management principles to develop strategies that account for diverse stakeholder perspectives and institutional contexts.
Construct evidence-based strategic recommendations through applied research methodologies, incorporating sustainability and ethical governance considerations.
Communicate strategic analyses and recommendations effectively to diverse professional audiences through written reports and executive presentations.
Weekly Schedule
15-week course schedule with topics, content, and assessment due dates
| Week | Topic | Key Content | Assessment Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations of Global Strategic Management | Strategic management overview; global business landscape | Discussion Post 1 |
| 2 | Globalization, Regionalization, and Strategic Positioning | WTO modules; regional trade dynamics | Case Analysis Assigned |
| 3 | Institutional Frameworks and Political Economy | UN Global Compact; institutional analysis | WIL Partner Introduction |
| 4 | Cross-Cultural Management in Global Strategy | Hofstede Insights; cultural intelligence | Discussion Post 2 |
| 5 | Foreign Market Entry Strategies | Entry modes; UNCTAD World Investment Report | Case Analysis 1 Due |
| 6 | Strategic Alliances and Collaborative Ventures | Alliance management; partnership structures | Midterm Examination |
| 7 | Global Value Chain Management | MIT Supply Chain OER; value chain optimization | WIL Field Research Begins |
| 8 | AI and Digital Transformation in Global Strategy | McKinsey AI Reports; MIT Sloan articles | AI Strategy Brief Assigned |
| 9 | Innovation and R&D in Multinational Organizations | WIPO Innovation Index; global R&D networks | Discussion Post 3 |
| 10 | Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Management | OECD Governance Principles; stakeholder analysis | AI Strategy Brief Due |
| 11 | Sustainability and ESG in Global Strategy | UN SDGs; GRI Standards | Project Proposal Due |
| 12 | Crisis Management and Strategic Resilience | HBR Crisis Management; resilience frameworks | WIL Progress Report |
| 13 | Emerging Markets and Frontier Strategies | World Bank reports; frontier market analysis | Draft Due |
| 14 | Strategic Integration and Development | Integration materials; peer review preparation | Peer Review Session |
| 15 | Final Presentations and Course Synthesis | Executive presentations; course synthesis | Presentations & Final Report |
Foundations of Global Strategic Management
Strategic management overview; global business landscape
Discussion Post 1Globalization, Regionalization, and Strategic Positioning
WTO modules; regional trade dynamics
Case Analysis AssignedInstitutional Frameworks and Political Economy
UN Global Compact; institutional analysis
WIL Partner IntroductionCross-Cultural Management in Global Strategy
Hofstede Insights; cultural intelligence
Discussion Post 2Foreign Market Entry Strategies
Entry modes; UNCTAD World Investment Report
Case Analysis 1 DueStrategic Alliances and Collaborative Ventures
Alliance management; partnership structures
Midterm ExaminationGlobal Value Chain Management
MIT Supply Chain OER; value chain optimization
WIL Field Research BeginsAI and Digital Transformation in Global Strategy
McKinsey AI Reports; MIT Sloan articles
AI Strategy Brief AssignedInnovation and R&D in Multinational Organizations
WIPO Innovation Index; global R&D networks
Discussion Post 3Corporate Governance and Stakeholder Management
OECD Governance Principles; stakeholder analysis
AI Strategy Brief DueSustainability and ESG in Global Strategy
UN SDGs; GRI Standards
Project Proposal DueCrisis Management and Strategic Resilience
HBR Crisis Management; resilience frameworks
WIL Progress ReportEmerging Markets and Frontier Strategies
World Bank reports; frontier market analysis
Draft DueStrategic Integration and Development
Integration materials; peer review preparation
Peer Review SessionFinal Presentations and Course Synthesis
Executive presentations; course synthesis
Presentations & Final ReportAssessments
Course assessments and their weight in the final grade
Final Project: Global Strategic Plan
Comprehensive strategic plan for global organization (5,000-6,000 words + executive presentation)
Midterm Examination
Assessment of core concepts from Weeks 1-5 including short-answer and mini-case analysis
Case Analysis 1: Market Entry Strategy
Analysis of multinational organization's market entry strategy (2,500-3,000 words)
WIL Field Research and Progress Report
Applied research with partner organization (2,000-2,500 words)
Participation and Discussion Posts
Three structured discussion posts (300-400 words) with peer responses
AI Strategy Brief
Strategic brief on AI integration for competitive advantage (1,500 words)
Course Resources
Required readings and open educational resources
Required Texts
Global Strategy (5th ed.)
Peng, M. W. (2023) - Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-0357512364
International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace (14th ed.)
Hill, C. W. L., & Hult, G. T. M. (2024) - McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN: 978-1264067244