Designing a New Course: The Global Environment of Business

David W. Conklin

David W. Conklin

Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Volume 1 Issue 1: 2004, pp. 145-164; ABSTRACT

Businesses confront significant differences among countries in regard to industry structures as well as economic, political, societal, and technological forces. These differences create new challenges and opportunities for a business as it extends its activities internationally. Consequently, Business Schools must deal with the question of how best to develop skills in examining these differences in the business environment and in analyzing their implications for corporate strategies. This article presents a case-based course designed to achieve this objective. Cross-country comparisons add complexity to the subject matter, enrich analytical theories, and heighten the interest of students. The article discusses each section of the course, indicating issues that may be covered and summarizing cases that may be used. It also suggests literature references, websites and assignments. Ongoing changes in environmental forces create a need to update various teaching materials frequently. Lectures can supplement or replace cases. Students in different countries may appreciate course modifications that place greater emphasis on issues of importance to their particular region. The GEOB course design can readily accommodate such revisions and modifications.

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