University of Economics of Ho Chi Minh city

School of International Business and Marketing

DOING BUSINESS IN ASIA

COURSE SYLLABUS

Class unit:

Time and Venue:

Contact details:

Instructor:

Office hours: by appointment, communication can be made via email

Class time and room numbers: TBA

Course Description: The course focuses on the context of business in the Asia – Pacific
region. The contents of the course include understanding key trends shaping the region's
business environment, reasons for firm internationalization in the region, and strategies of
business expansion in the region. Two other contemporary issues in the region, specifically
ethics and family business, are also explored in this course

Course delivery: This course is student-centered and uses multiple approaches, including
videos, in-class discussions, and group projects, to enhance student learning and the
application of critical concepts of the course.

Lectures and discussion: 30 hours

Quiz and Group project: 15 hours

Course learning objectives

Upon completion, students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge

● CLO1.1: Understand the distinctive character of international business in Asia

● CLO1.2: Understanding conditions and strategies for Asian market access and
regional integration.
● CLO1.3: Know the aspects of family business management in Asia
● CLO1.4: Understand the important role of ethics in international business

Skills

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 - CLO2.1: Know the information and resources needed to explore the business
environment in Asia
- CLO2.2: training of teamwork skills, communication skills, reporting and
presentation skills

Autonomy and Responsibility

- CLO3.1: Develop self-study ability

- CLO3.2: Confident and flexible in communication
- CLO3.3: Respect individual differences

Course materials:

Required readings:

Textbook 1: Contemporary of International Business in the Asia-Pacific

Textbook 2: Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook: How to Build and
Sustain a Successful, Enduring Enterprise (HBR Handbooks).

Recommended resources:

Textbook 3: Gabriele Suder, Terence Tsai, Sumati Varma (2021). Doing Business in Asia.
1st Edition. Sage.

Textbook 4: Griffin & Pustay (2020) International Business: A Managerial Perspective 9th
edition. Pearson.

Evaluation

Assignment Type Deadline Weight

#1 Attendance and Participation Individual Each session 15%
#2 Mid-term quiz Individual 15%
#3 Case analysis Group As course scheduled 20%
#3.1 Country Assessment and
Firm’s drivers of
internationalization
#3.2 Firms regional strategy
#4 Group presentation Group Session 9 20%
#5 Group report Group Follow university schedule 30%

1. Attendance and in-class discussion: This is a discussion-based course, and your

participation is essential to the learning experience. Much of the learning in this
course will come from the chance to express your ideas and exchange them with your
peers. You are required to prepare all the assigned materials and participate in the
discussion. Students must attend at least 80% of class time. Absence for more than
two classes results in elimination of all participation points earned.
2. Mid-term quiz: there will be a mid-term test in the course

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 3. Group case analysis: Groups will be assigned a case to work on throughout the
course. Each group will need to analyze the case following instructions and present
their analysis briefly to the class as scheduled. Groups need to prepare slides for each
analysis and can be randomly chosen to present their analysis in the class. Groups will
be evaluated on their understanding of IB concepts and ability to apply them to
analyze a real case.

4. Group presentation: please read the assignment instructions

Note: group diversity is necessary. We need to balance groups in terms of gender and
culture. When presenting, every member needs to speak up. Violation of these group rules
will lead to a 50% penalty of all group work.

Class Schedule

Dates Topic Objective

Session1 Welcoming session CLO1.1,
Course Introduction CLO2.2,
Group formation and case assignment CLO3.1,
CLO3.2,
Module 1: Foundations of international business in the Asia- CLO3.3
Pacific

Read: Textbook, chapter 1

Session 2 Module 2: Opportunities and challenges of doing business
in Asia-Pacific and Drivers of internationalizing firms CLO1.1,
CLO1.2,
Read Textbook 1, Chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 13 CLO2.1,
Read chapter 2, 5, 6 CLO2.2,
CLO3.1,
Discussion: Business challenges in a country CLO3.2,
Discussion: MNE drivers of internationalization CLO3.3

Session3 Module 3: Cultures, Ethics, and Corporate Governance CLO1.4,

Discussion: Ethics Case CLO2.2,
CLO3.1,
Case analysis: Samsung CSR in Thailand CLO3.2,
CLO3.3
Session4 Mid-term
Register the MNE for the group project

Session 5 Module 4: Market entry and development strategies CLO1.1,

Read chapter 7, Textbook 1 CLO1.2,
CLO2.2,
Group case analysis brief presentation #1: CLO3.1,
CLO3.2,
CLO3.3
Session 6 Module 5: International business strategy CLO1.1,

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 Marketing strategies, International sourcing and CLO1.2,
production, HR strategy CLO2.2,
CLO3.1,
Read chapter 10, chapter 11, chapter 12 CLO3.2,
CLO3.3
Discussion Case analysis

Session 7 Module 5: International business strategy CLO1.1,

Marketing strategies, International sourcing and CLO1.2,
production, HR strategy CLO2.2,
CLO3.1,
CLO3.2,
Group case analysis brief presentation #3: international CLO3.3
business strategy in Asia
Session 8 Module 6: Family business management in Asia CLO1.1,
Read CLO1.3,
CLO2.2,
Group presentation consultation CLO3.1,
CLO3.2,
CLO3.3
Session 9 Project presentation CLO2.2,
29 Nov CLO3.1,
CLO3.2,
CLO3.3

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