Bachelor 2020/2021

Doing Business in Asia

Type: Elective course (Business Administration)

Area of studies: Management

Delivered by: Department of Strategic and International Management

Where: Graduate School of Business

When: 4 year, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Sergei Shaposhnikov

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 30

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course is designed to provide an overview of various aspects of doing business in China, South Korea and Japan. The course is broadly divided into three parts. The first part of the course defining globalization and international business. The second parts deals with business context and business management. These two parts provide the overview the macro environment economies of China, South Korea and Japan, including the economy and culture that affect business and management practices in each country. Such overview equips students with a firm basis to be able to analyze the key environmental factors that affect how business is conducted in those economies. The third part emphasizes on the practical aspects of doing business in China, South Korea and Japan - business opportunities and challenges facing foreign companies and business and management practices so students will gain an in-depth understanding of how to do business in those countries. In addition to broad knowledge of the region, assignments and projects will give students opportunities to further develop expertise in a selected country of his/her choice.

Learning Objectives

• • To get the brief knowledge of the economic history and current economic situation in China, South Korea and Japan from the position of business; • To become familiar with the major industries and companies in China, South Korea and Japan; • To understand the business environment in China, South Korea and Japan; • To recognize how management and cross cultural differences affect and impact on the ways of doing business in China, South Korea and Japan; • To gain a working level of competence for engaging in international business activities in China, South Korea and Japan and with business people from these countries.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge: of political, economic, financial and cultural context of entering the Chinese, South Korean and Japanese markets and the unique opportunities and challenges of working in their business environments.
• Skills: to critically evaluate analytical and scientific materials on the given issues and effectively use them in practice.
• Awareness: a conception of current problems facing foreign investors, including those problems under discussion among the main participants, and possible methods of their resolution.
• • Ability: to use statistical data, analytical national and industry reviews, research publications, and the latest business news to analyze the current conditions of starting and expanding a foreign business and make strategic decisions regarding the ways of establishing a new business with foreign participation.

Course Contents

• Introduction.
  Defining Globalization and International Business. (a) The Historical Perspective of Globalization of Business; (b) the Concept of Globalization; (c) The Reasons for Support and Criticism of Globalization; (d) Global Business Expansion Strategy; (e) the Concept of International Business and the Motives for International Business Expansion; (f) Strategy for Managing Business in the Globalization Era.
• Introduction to Economic History of East Asia.
  (a) Rapid Economic Growth, (b) Rapid Structural Change and Changing Competitive Advantages, (c) Growing Regionalization and Internationalization of the Economies, (d) Social Dimensions and Consequences.
• Business Context and Business Management in East Asia.
  (a) Environment and Market, Trend Analysis; (b) Competition; (c) Local Business Cultures and Management; (d) Nature of Entrepreneurship; (e) Marketing and Branding, Gender, Corporate Social Responsibility.
• China.
  Introduction: (a) Rapid Growth; (b) Social issues; (c) Poverty and Inequality; (d) Labor Markets and Human Resources; (e) Regional Development; (f) Environmental Issues; (g) Ethnic minorities and social classes Institutions, actors, public policy: (a) Ownership and Business Structures Macroeconomic and International Dimensions: (a) Macroeconomic Indicators; (b) ASEAN and Regional Economic Cooperation Major Sectors: (a) Agricultural Development; (b) Industrial Transformation; (c) The Service Economy Business Development in China (a) Business Environment; (b) Entering the Market; (c) Establishing the Presence; (d) Business Opportunities; (e) Finance and Taxation; (f) Transportation; (g) Business Culture; (h) Negotiation
• South Korea.
  Introduction: (a) Rapid Growth; (b) Social issues; (c) Poverty and Inequality; (d) Labor Markets and Human Resources; (e) Regional Development; (f) Environmental Issues; (g) Ethnic minorities and social classes Institutions, actors, public policy: (a) Ownership and Business Structures Macroeconomic and International Dimensions: (a) Macroeconomic Indicators; (b) ASEAN and Regional Economic Cooperation Major Sectors: (a) Agricultural Development; (b) Industrial Transformation; (c) The Service Economy Business Development in South Korea(a) Business Environment; (b) Entering the Market; (c) Establishing the Presence; (d) Business Opportunities; (e) Finance and Taxation; (f) Transportation; (g) Business Culture; (h) Negotiation
• Japan.
  Introduction: (a) Rapid Growth; (b) Social issues; (c) Poverty and Inequality; (d) Labor Markets and Human Resources; (e) Regional Development; (f) Environmental Issues; (g) Ethnic minorities and social classes Institutions, actors, public policy: (a) Ownership and Business Structures Macroeconomic and International Dimensions: (a) Macroeconomic Indicators; (b) ASEAN and Regional Economic Cooperation Major Sectors: (a) Agricultural Development; (b) Industrial Transformation; (c) The Service Economy Business Development in Japan (a) Business Environment; (b) Entering the Market; (c) Establishing the Presence; (d) Business Opportunities; (e) Finance and Taxation; (f) Transportation; (g) Business Culture; (h) Negotiation

Assessment Elements

• Essay
  ). The essay topic should be connected to the course. Assessment will be based on: (1) The basic requirements of the assignment (topic, purpose, length); (2) How well the paper supports its thesis with a thorough development of ideas entirely tailored to the intended audience; (3) Originality and demonstration of a sophistication and complexity of thought; (4) The organization of the paper, it is logic and a mastery of basic paper components (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph structure); (5) List of sources, sophistication, and complexity to the paper’s ideas; (6) The paper demonstrates a high level of understanding and skill in the use of Standard English, style, and format. Excellent (8-10)- The paper fulfills all the requirements of the assignment (topic, purpose, length); the paper supports its thesis with a thorough development of ideas entirely tailored to the intended audience; the thesis and ideas in the paper are consistently original and insightful and demonstrate a sophistication and complexity of thought; the organization of the paper is consistently logical and coherent, and the paper exhibits a mastery of basic paper components (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph structure); if sources are required, the paper accurately uses and correctly documents credible source material to add insight, sophistication, and complexity to the paper’s ideas; the paper demonstrates a high level of understanding and skill in the use of Standard English, style, and format. 6-7 (Good)- The paper fulfills all the basic requirements of the assignment (for example, topic, purpose, length); the paper supports its thesis with a substantial development of ideas consistently tailored to the intended audience; the thesis and ideas in the paper effectively combine original and insightful observations with commonly accepted ideas (generated by class discussion, for example); the organization of the paper is mostly logical and coherent, and the paper exhibits a strong ability to incorporate basic paper components (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph structure); if sources are required, the paper accurately uses and correctly documents credible source material to supplement its ideas; the paper demonstrates understanding and skill in the use of Standard English, style, and format, with, at most, only a few errors, rather than any pattern of consistent error. 4-5 (Satisfactory)- the paper fulfills all the basic requirements of the assignment (for example, topic, purpose, length); the paper supports its thesis with an adequate development of ideas that are consistently appropriate for the intended audience; the thesis and ideas in the paper are generally clear and logical, perhaps relying primarily on commonly accepted ideas (generated by class discussion, for example); the organization of the paper is generally logical and coherent, and the paper indicates competence in basic paper components (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph structure); if sources are required, the paper uses the minimum required amount of credible source material and documents it, with only occasional errors; the paper demonstrates competence in the use of Standard English, style, and format, with occasional errors. Failure (1-3)- the paper fails to fulfill one or more of the basic requirements of the assignment (for example, topic, purpose, length); the paper largely fails to develop ideas to support its thesis, or the ideas are consistently inappropriate for the intended audience; the thesis and ideas in the paper are consistently unclear, illogical, or incomplete; the organization of the paper is consistently illogical or incoherent, or the paper indicates lack of awareness and lack of competence in basic paper components (introduction, conclusion, and body paragraph structure); if sources are required, the paper fails to use sources, does not meet the minimum source requirements, uses source material inaccurately,
• Individual project
  Individual project “International business strategy development for company X in Asia” (20 points max). Assessment will be based on: (1) Knowledge of key concepts applied in relation to management; (2) Evidence of critical thinking using cultural perspectives in explaining the formation of particular systems; (3) Application of theories/concepts; (4) Cooperation as a team; (5) Persuasive presentation skills; (6) Overall structure of the presentation. Excellent (8-10)- excellent knowledge of key concepts applied in relation to management; strong evidence of critical thinking using cultural perspectives in explaining the formation of particular systems; strong ability in the application of theories/concepts;excellent structure. Good (6-7)- good knowledge of key concepts applied in relation to management; some evidence of critical thinking using cultural perspectives in explaining the formation of particular systems; good ability in the application of theories/concepts; good structure. Fair (4-5)- limited knowledge of key concepts applied in relation to management; little evidence of critical thinking using cultural perspectives in explaining the formation of particular systems; marginal ability in the application of theories/concepts; fair structure. Failure (1-3)- inadequate knowledge of key concepts applied in relation to management; no evidence of critical thinking using cultural perspectives in explaining the formation of particular systems; inability in the application of theories/concepts; poor structure
• Discussion participation
  assessment will be based on: (1) Active engagement in in-class/on-line discussion sessions; (2) Evidence of critical thinking; (3) Ability to apply international business and cultural concepts/theories. . Excellent (8-10)- Active engagement in discussions; strong evidence of critical thinking; Good (6-7)- Much effort putting in discussions; some evidence of critical thinking; Fair (4-5)- Passive engagement in discussions; little evidence of critical thinking; Failure (1-3)- No effort putting in in-class/online discussions; no evidence of critical thinking; poor writing and verbal presentation skills.
• Exam
  assessment will be based on: (1) Knowledge of management systems in Asian countries; (2) Knowledge of theories and key concepts related to international management; (3) Evidence of critical thinking using comparative approaches in explaining the formation of particular international management systems; (4) Persuasive writing skills. Excellent (8-10)- excellent knowledge of management systems in different societies; strong knowledge of theories and key concepts related to management; strong evidence of critical thinking using comparative approaches in explaining the formation of particular management systems; excellent writing skills. Good (6-7)- good knowledge of management systems in different societies; good knowledge of theories and key concepts related to management; some evidence of critical thinking using comparative approaches in explaining the formation of particular management systems; good writing skills. Fair (4-5)- limited knowledge of management systems in different societies; limited knowledge of theories and key concepts related to management; little evidence of critical thinking using comparative approaches in explaining the formation of particular management systems; marginal writing skills. Failure (1-3)- inadequate knowledge of management systems in different societies; Inadequate knowledge of theories and key concepts related to management; no evidence of critical thinking using comparative approaches in explaining the formation of particular management systems; poor writing skills.

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (2 module)
  0.1 * Discussion participation + 0.2 * Essay + 0.5 * Exam + 0.2 * Individual project

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Hong Hai. (2020). The Rule of Culture : Corporate and State Governance in China and East Asia. Routledge.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Zabihollah Rezaee, Judy Tsui, Peter Cheng, and Gaoguang Zhou. 2019. Business Sustainability in Asia : Compliance, Performance, and Integrated Reporting and Assurance