Course

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COURSE DESCRIPtion

The ISP course focuses on the impact of variation in the economic, political, legal, social, and cultural contexts of nations on the competitive business strategies of local and multinational firms. The course will start by developing concepts and tools useful in evaluating and formulating the competitive business strategies of firms. We will then develop a general framework for country analysis useful in identifying the opportunities, challenges, and risks a particular country presents to both firms headquartered in that country, and to multinational firms currently or contemplating competing in it. We will then spend classroom time applying the strategy concepts and tools, and the framework for country analysis to a number of different firms in a number of different industries in a number of different European countries.

The course will then proceed with a visit to Barcelona, Spain, during which students will be able to observe directly how the Spanish economic, political, legal, social and cultural context impacts how business is done there compared to in other countries, particularly in comparison with the US. While in Barcelona, students will participate in presentations and discussions of developments and trends in European countries and companies and participate in a visit to a host company – Fluidra (http://www.fluidra.com/sites/en/index.html) – that they are researching where they will meet with senior managers to discuss strategic opportunities and challenges. In addition, students will have time on their own to explore the history, cultural sites, and local customs of Barcelona and Spain.

The course will culminate in a school-wide competition among student teams from all sections of the International Study Project course. The competition will require that each team prepare and present a report that diagnoses the major longer-term performance opportunities and challenges facing the company visited, and...