Individually-prepared case analysis of a two case, which will be selected by students from among those done in class. Students can select the cases of their choice, as suits their schedule and interest area(s). Case analyses will be handed-in at the beginning of class. The case write-up should be no more than ten pages (double-spaced, 12-point Arial font) in length, with a maximum of seven exhibits.
The student should write the case assignment from the perspective of the main character in the case whose business issue requires a solution or the perspective of a consultant advising on the next steps for the company.The case-writing tools presented in class, in the text, and delivered on Blackboard as supplementary readings should be used to “crack the case”. The case assignment should include the following: * Identify the main character in the case and their strategic business issue(s) or how to compete internationally * Summarize the key case “question(s)” from the perspective of the main character, asking the question “what needs to be done now, soon, this year, in 3 years, in 10 years to successfully grow in a new market(s)”? Major institutional and resource-based opportunities & constraints in the home and new country markets as they affect strategic competitiveness* Using the text, course tools, and supplementary tools and information, conduct an analysis of the firm, its current and future geographic scope, competitors, market, products, finances, people, operations, innovativeness, culture, and other business areas, to determine the root causes of the case issue(s) and/or identify potential globalizing factors and their firm impacts * Sufficiently analyze and answer all case questions posed (for textbook cases) in an integrative and professional report-style* Go beyond the case facts in theorizing what the industry might look like once the geographic “footprint” has expanded, where the internationalization will/may occur, what the firm will be like in 2015 and 2025, and what the organization can do to stay relevant in diverse markets, grow through new global initiative and customers; ask what this company is doing/can do to become sustainable, how create uncontested market space, develop wealth for stakeholders, and enhance profitability/other objective measurements, and how such strategic goals are homogeneous or not across the firm’s global operations * Propose a solution(s) to the business problem(s) and/or assessment of the firm international competitiveness, as the case circumstances require.
