BUS 4530/5530: International Business in China: orientation^{^[1]}

Spring 2003

--Syllabus--

Objectives

The focus of this course is on developing expertise in business and culture in Asia in general and PR China (including Hong Kong) in particular. In this context the expertise sought includes an understanding of the operational standards and practices of indigenous Asian enterprises (including SOEs, state-owned enterprises), foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). Businesses operating in different nations must operate within the context of varied national requirements and cultural expectations. The aim of this course is to investigate how these differences affect the management of enterprises that operate in Asia.

The course consists of the following several components, each of which shall be studied in terms of both contemporary and historical elements.

An introduction and overview of international business in Asia

Discussion of the global economy

A consideration of the Asian business environment

Examination of issues relating to the operation and management of Asian business

Of course, to achieve all of this it is necessary to study and understand something of Asian history and culture. The China Study Abroad provides the opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the context of the Confucian-oriented social and cultural system that defines China and much of East Asia. As will be seen, China is not just another country; it is a whole different world. An understanding of this world allows one to better appreciate the challenges associated with international business in general, and business in East Asia in particular.

Supply Chain Management Study

This year's trip offers a special opportunity for 2003 Holland Fellows representing both Appalachian State University and Fudan University to work together on a joint project examining transitions in supply chain management in China and the United States. The students from the two universities, Appalachian State and Fudan, will assist each other in gathering information from the respective countries and will work together to prepare the final report. The final report will then be presented as a part of the Summer 2003 trip to Fudan University.

Globalization[2]

The final 20 years of the last century were characterized by the current surge of globalization, a wave that swept into the 21^st century with every sign of being irreversible. However, as we enter the current century globalization has become a focal point of hostile and sometimes violent protests. Advocates of globalization cite its virtues and its inevitability. They see open borders and transparency in systems as of benefit to all who seek to participate, developing and developed nations alike. The supporters of globalization would propose China as the poster child of its success.

Opponents proclaim globalizations supposed vices and vincibilities. The enemies of globalization see it as the worldwide extension of capitalism, with multinational corporations as its far-ranging B-52’s. Finally, the events of 9-11-2001 put a further question mark on globalization, with its free flow of information and open borders, even to those who would seek to do harm.

In any case, the gravitational center of this globalization has shifted from America and Europe to East Asia.[3] With Japan, Asia’s largest economy in a more than decade-long stagnation, China has emerged as the number two economy in the region with South Korea as the third largest Asian economy.[4] The progression of China as the leading economy of Asia is well underway. One goal of this course will be to examine the progress of globalization, the role of Asia in general and China in particular along with the opportunity to examine both its pluses and minuses.

Course Components

The course is the spring orientation (3 hours) for the China Study Abroad and is in conjunction with the May-June study abroad (3 hours). Requirements for both the orientation and the study abroad will emphasize preparation and participation. Specific evaluation criteria are presented below.

Texts

Jung Chang; Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China. (NY: Anchor Books, 1992)

Qin, Charles and Rudelson, Justin Ben-Adam; Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook. (Lonely Planet, 2000).

Seligman, Scott D.; Chinese Business Etiquette. (NY: Warner Brothers, 1999).

Starr, John B. Understanding China: A Guide to China’s Economy, History, and Political Culture. (NY: Hill & Wang, 2001)

The three principle texts are Understanding China, Wild Swans, and Chinese Business Etiquette. Students will be expected to read these books through the semester. In general, each Wednesday class will begin with a 10-minute quiz covering assigned chapters for that week. The specific schedule of assignments is distributed separately.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes and scheduled events and to actively participate in these events. From time to time there is extreme cold or snow in Boone during the winter; however it is not anticipated that class or other events will ever be cancelled as a result of weather.

Group Discussions

The orientation to the China Study Abroad will provide abundant opportunities for students to contribute to and lead discussions. Students are expected to assume responsibility for the success of these discussion activities.

Supply Chain Management Study

A highlight of the experience will be the opportunity for the Holland Fellows from both Appalachian State and Fudan Universities to participate in a study of supply chain management in both countries. The goal of this project is to examine supply chain management issues in businesses in China and the US.

No other area of business involves the complexity or geographic reach as supply chain management, also termed logistics. There can be little doubt as to the importance of supply chain management to gaining competitive advantage. Companies with expertise and sophistication are leading their industries. Those lagging in logistics are bearing extra costs and suffering decrements in customer satisfaction. The purpose of this year’s Holland Fellows study is to see how companies in several industries are using supply chain management to gain competitive advantage.

Results of this research will be presented as part of a joint Appalachian State University-Fudan University Conference on Effective Supply Chain Management for Competitive Advantage in Shanghai, China. Appalachian State University students will be expected to play a leadership role in this study and in working with the students from Fudan University to make this aspect of the exchange program a positive experience for all involved.

Group (Peer) Evaluation

As you will note from this syllabus, important aspects of the course and study abroad will be in the form of class presentations and a research project. Although all of these efforts are significant, the research project with the students from Fudan University is especially critical and will require extra effort and leadership on the part of the Appalachian State University students.

In order to encourage effective participation and to ensure equity of contribution, group efforts will be evaluated using a peer evaluation form. Evaluations will be at the end of the spring semester.

The purpose of this form will be to assess your evaluation of each group member's participation and performance within the group. Your ratings will be anonymous—your identity will not be revealed to those you are evaluating. Further, the feedback you receive should give you valuable insight as to how you are perceived by others with whom you are working.

The final grade may be adjusted as a result of peer evaluation.

Evaluation

Knowledge of the material covered in the course is of central importance. However, as in the business world, the ability to communicate knowledge orally and in writing is also important. With this in mind, grades will be as follows:

Evaluation Components	%
· Supply Chain Management Research Project	55
· Class Participation	25
· Text Assignments (Quizzes)	20
· Group (Peer) Evaluation (see note above)
Total	100

Instructors

Please Note: Every attempt will be made to follow office hours as given and to be available for students at other times. However, in terms of efficient use of your time, it works best to call or e-mail in advance, or to use our opportunity to be together in class, to arrange a specific time for an office meeting.

Schedule[5]

Date	Topic	Presented by
Wed, Jan 15	Course Overview and Introduction to SE Asia	Dr. Lyle Schoenfeldt
	Introduction to the Chinese Language	Mr. Chen Gao, Dept. of Foreign Language and Literature
Wed, Jan 22	Historical Overview of China	Dr. Marv Williamsen, Director, Office of International Programs
Wed, Jan 29	Geographic Orientation to China	Dr. Fred Webb, Dept. of Geology
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Wed, Feb 5	The History of Appalachian State University's China Connection	Dr. John E. Thomas, Chancellor Emeritus, ASU
	Panel Discussion--Chinese Student Perspective	ASU Chinese Students
Wed, Feb 12	Supply Chain Management Progress Reports	Student Presentations
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Wed, Feb 19	Chinese Gender and Kin Relations	Dr. Pat Beaver, Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, and Dr. Dorothea Martin, Professor, Dept. of History
Wed, Feb 26	Supply Chain Management: A Perspective	Mr. G. A. Sywassink, Chm & CEO, Standard Holding Corp.
Wed, Mar. 5	Panel Discussion--The Trip to China	Students from Previous China Trips
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Wed, Mar 12	Spring Break
Wed, Mar 19	Chinese Culture: The Old and the New	Dr. Robert White, Ass’t Director, Office of International Programs
	Perspectives on Hosting the Fudan Students	Drs. Boya and Schoenfeldt
Wed, Mar 26	Supply Chain Management Progress Reports	Student Presentations
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Wed, Apr 2[6]	Final Plans for Hosting the Fudan Students	Drs. Boya and Schoenfeldt
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Apr 3-16	Hosting Fudan Students, Including Travel with the Fudan HF, Apr 11-16	Schedule TBA
Wed, Apr 23	What to Take and How to Prepare for the Trip	Dr. Schoenfeldt
	Chinese Language Instruction	Mr. Chen Gao
Wed, Apr 30	The Cities of China--An Orientation	Dr. Schoenfeldt
	Final Briefing: 2003 China Study Abroad	Drs. Boya and Schoenfeldt

Preliminary Travel Itinerary

Date	Activity
Tue, May 13	Depart North Carolina for PR China
Wed, May 14	Arrive Beijing, PRC
Thur-Fri, May 15-16	Sightseeing and Company Visits, Beijing
Sat, May 17	Overnight Train to Shanghai
Sun, May 18	Arrive Shanghai
Weeks of May 18 & 25	Classes at Fudan University along with Company Visits and Sightseeing in and around Shanghai
Mon, May 26 (tentative)	Appalachian State University-Fudan University Conference entitled: Effective Supply Chain Management for Competitive Advantage, Shanghai
Thur, May 29	Final Banquet, Fudan University
Fri, May 30	Travel to Zibo (Shandong Province)
Fri-Sat, May 30-31	Sightseeing and Company Visits in Zibo
Sun, June 1	Travel to Hong Kong
Sun-Tue, June 1-3	Sightseeing and Company Visits in Hong Kong
Tue evening, June 3	Final Banquet, 2003 Study Abroad
Wed, June 4	Depart Hong Kong for North Carolina

^{^[1]}A course offered in conjunction with the 2003 China Study Abroad.

[2] Some of the ideas in this section were adapted from: Jagdish Bhagwati, “Coping with Antiglobalization: A Trilogy of Discontensts,” Foreign Affairs, January/February 2002 (vol. 81, no. 1), pp. 2-7.

[3] Joseph Kahn, “China’s Hot, at Least for Now,” New York Times, December 16, 2002.

[4] James Brooke, “China ‘Looming Large’ in South Korea as Biggest Player, Replacing the U.S.” New York Times, January 3, 2003; Joseph Kahn, “Made in China, Bought in China.” New York Times, January 5, 2003; James Brooke, “Korea Feeling Pressure as China Grows.” New York Times, January 7, 2003;

[5] This schedule is subject to change with notice.

[6] As presently envisioned, this class will be followed by a reception for the Fudan Holland Fellows.

BUS 4530/5530: International Business in China: orientation[1]

Objectives

Supply Chain Management Study

Globalization[2]

Course Components

Texts

Attendance

Group Discussions

Supply Chain Management Study

Group (Peer) Evaluation

Evaluation

Instructors

Schedule[5]

Preliminary Travel Itinerary

BUS 4530/5530: International Business in China: orientation^{^[1]}