Department of International Business

Leadership

Hadi Alhorr, Ph.D.
Chair

Overview

With the U.S. economy more global than ever, the study of international business has never been more important. Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business offers a comprehensive international business program with degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

The courses, taught by highly qualified, degreed faculty and select successful global executives, integrate key principles of business practice with the nuance of different cultures, languages, political structures and economies.

International business students are supported with comprehensive advising, an international business student club, scholarships for outstanding students and assistance with mentors and internships via the alumni network and local-global professionals.

The department also manages a number of study abroad opportunities for business students. This immersion is essential for a well-rounded, global education.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Hadi Alhorr, Ph.D.
Mamoun Benmamoun, Ph.D.
Minjung Lee, Ph.D.
Dasol Sim, Ph.D.
Nitish Singh, Ph.D.

IB 2000 - Introduction to International Business

3 Credits

A broadly based introduction to the field of international business; consists of an inter-disciplinary survey of the fundamentals of (1) international trade; (2) environmental factors; (3) international institutions and agencies; and (4) company organization, managerial functions and operations around the world.

Prerequisite(s): ECON 1900

Restrictions:

Students in the Schl for Professional Studies college may not enroll.

Attributes: Business Common Body Knowledge, International Studies-Economy, UUC:Global Interdependence

IB 2930 - Special Topics

1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

IB 2980 - Independent Study

1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Permission of the department chair.

IB 3020 - Latin American Business

3 Credits

The focus of the course is on the cultural, historical, economic, social, political and business environments in Latin America and on the activities of multinational corporations therein.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, International Studies-Latin Am, Urban Poverty - Immigration

IB 3040 - Asian Business

3 Credits

Focusing on a group of selected Asian economies, this course has three objectives: (1) to acquaint the students with the region’s basic business environments; (2) to examine the style and practices of Asian management; and (3) to provide insight to the implications of the Asian business environment and management practice on strategic planning by non-Asian firms. Students will attain a practical knowledge of the complexity of the business environments of the region and be able to incorporate analytical skills and strategic thinking into the reality of the Asian markets.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, International Studies-Asia

IB 3060 - International Business of the European Union

3 Credits

This course is designed to give students a grasp of the economic and political realities relevant to international business in the European Union. Students will learn what the EU is and what it does. A thorough study of the member states’ demographic and macroeconomic situation will help understand the importance of the Bloc for world trade. Other topics covered include How to Set Up a Business in the EU, Importing and Exporting in the EU, Competition, Contract & Employment rules that apply in the EU, Company Law and Corporate Governance, Intellectual Property Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility, and Funding and Support for SMEs and Start-ups. Finally, the World Bank’s Reports on “Doing Business in the EU” will be used to evaluate achievements and areas where improvement is needed.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective

IB 3100 - Geopolitics of World Business

3 Credits

This course is designed to prepare students to understand how geography and politics intersect with and influence international business and multinational firms. Upon successful completion of the course, students should possess an awareness of important geopolitical facts and should be able to demonstrate the analytical and strategic thinking skills that reflect an understanding of how these facts interact with and affect international business competition. In particular, the course will examine how geographic location, natural resource endowments, historical relationships and national and institutional political factors influence global companies.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Requirement, Int Bus Minor Requirement, International Studies-Economy, MLIC Elective

IB 3140 - International e-Business

3 Credits

International e-business is now emerging as an indispensible way of conducting global business. However, there is a dearth of trained professionals at multinational companies who can manage and coordinate international e-business and global digital media marketing efforts. The marketplace has a skill shortage for the growing demand for professionals who can effectively work with digital media content, software professionals, translators, and colleagues from different countries to implement international e-business strategy and global digital media efforts. This course will help students understand international e-business, global digital media marketing, international online market entry, issues regarding web site localization, and cultural customization. Specifically, the course provides applied knowledge to successfully use the web to tap global online markets.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, International Studies-Economy

IB 3150 - Middle Eastern Business

3 Credits

The focus of the course is the business environment of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). National and corporate cultures, customs and laws, geopolitical environment, economic systems, natural resources and security of supply, and other major business-related elements will be covered. This coverage is complemented by a description of the changing order in the MENA region and what it means for multinational firms.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective

IB 3160 - Cultural Differences in International Business

3 Credits

Ample evidence abounds that cultures of the world are in more frequent contact as the business world becomes increasingly global. Given this globally interdependent economy, it is imperative that students understand the value of culture when conducting business across boundaries. This course examines the concept of “culture” as it applies in an international business context. Among those topics discussed are communicating and negotiating across cultures, the impact of culture on global alliances and strategy, and multicultural teams in international organizations. Classroom discussions are based on text readings as well as specific country-based cases.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, International Studies-Economy, MLIC Elective

IB 3700 - Transitioning to a Sustainable World

3 Credits

Our world is facing important sustainability threats that urgently need to be addressed, and therefore this course is designed to prepare students to understand the most prominent sustainability challenges as well as provide them with the necessary tools to become agents of change by transforming those challenges into opportunities with the final Goal of living in a better and more sustainable world.

Prerequisite(s): (CORE 1000 or UUC Ignite Seminar Waiver with a minimum score of S); CORE 1500^*; IB 2000; Minimum Earned Credits of 60

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, UUC:Collaborative Inquiry, UUC:Global Interdependence

IB 3980 - Independent Study

1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

IB 4120 - International Business Strategies

3 Credits

This course is designed to develop a broad understanding of strategic challenges in the international business environment. The major objective of the course is to engender a global mindset and a better understanding of the problems and challenges that organizations face in the international context. The challenge is to make sense of the shifting dynamics and multifaceted phenomena that confronts global business. The course weaves together conceptual and practical considerations to create a balanced and exciting learning experience. This course is designed to enhance students’ capacity to function more effectively in the international business environment.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000; Minimum Earned Credits of 60

Attributes: Int Bus Major Requirement, Int Bus Minor Requirement

IB 4900 - Global Immersion in International Business

3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course provides business students a first-hand, practical exposure to business competition in another country or region. The course combines case study, traditional classroom lecture, guest lectures from academia and commerce, and field trips. Cultural excursions and presentations are integrated into the course instruction providing the students with a comprehensive view of business activity abroad. Pre-trip coursework and a final project are required. Only one may be used to fulfill IB major requirements.

Prerequisite(s): IB 2000; Minimum Earned Credits of 60

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, Int Bus Minor Elective, International Studies-Economy

IB 4910 - International Business Internship

1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course can be used as elective credit or as major credit. Participants will have the opportunity to develop new skills through experiential learning under the direction of a skilled practitioner. The arrangements for the working relationship must be established prior to the assignment.

Prerequisite(s): BIZ 3000; IB 2000; Minimum Earned Credits of 60; CORE 1500^*; (CORE 1000 or UUC Ignite Seminar Waiver with a minimum score of S)

^* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a classification of Junior or Senior.

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective, UUC:Reflection-in-Action

IB 4930 - Special Topics

3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Attributes: Int Bus Major Elective

IB 4980 - Advanced Independent Study in International Business

1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Permission of the department chair.

IB 5010 - Managerial Economics and Data Analysis

2 Credits

This is an introductory course in economics designed to introduce participants to the most basic economic concepts and the application of these concepts to various situations. The course does not presume a background in economics and is, therefore, self-contained. The first half of the course is spent studying the tools of competitive analysis. The second half allows application of the tools to formulate and implement competitive strategy.

Restrictions: