International Strategic Management

International Strategic Management deals with strategic challenges faced by managers and organizations competing in the international context. An organization's strategy is its 'theory' of how to gain competitive advantage and compete successfully in the marketplace. Strategic management is the process used by managers and executives to develop and implement an organization's strategy. This course aims to enhance students' understanding of the most fundamental question in strategic management: What determines organizations' success or failure in the international context?

At the end of the course, students will have: (i) an enhanced understanding of what determines success and failure of organizations competing around the globe; (ii) an awareness of how competition and cooperation unfolds among organizations operating internationally; (iii) an understanding of the 'other side' of international business, namely, the strategies followed by local organizations that often compete and/or collaborate with foreign entrants; and, (iv) how rapid digitization breaks down industry barriers and creates new opportunities while jeopardizing long-successful business models. To achieve course objectives, students will analyze in-depth case studies and readings and take part in classroom discussions and group work.

This course is geared not only towards students who intend to pursue general management careers in organizations competing internationally, but also towards those interested in management consulting, investment banking, venture capital, and other careers in the global context where accurate and concise strategic assessments are crucial. Students are expected to have taken basic business courses (e.g., Business Economics and/or Strategic Management).

Note, this course is an ESCI elective. In other words, it is an integrated course with Spanish students and the weekly schedule follows the Spanish university system, which means classes may be held on Fridays.