latin american business environment

8/22/2019 Latin American Business Environment

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GSBA 587 Latin American Business Environment

Professor: Denise Dimon

Office: 134 IPJ

Phone: 619-260-4836 (in San Diego); 1-561672293 (local mobile phone number)Email: [email protected]

Course DescriptionThis course, both theoretical and practical, is designed to prepare international managers to work effectively in a Latin

American business environment through providing an understanding of the issues, opportunities, and complexities

associated with doing business in Latin America. The focus is on the cultural, historical, economic, social, political and

business environments in Latin America and on the activities of multinational corporations in Latin America. Many

subjects covered in the course are also important to small companies, including those that operate in a purely domestic

context in the United States.

Upon successful completion of the course, you should possess an awareness of the business and economic environments in

Latin America, and you should be able to demonstrate analytical and strategic thinking skills that reflect an understandingof the competitive environment in which local and foreign companies operate in Latin America.

With regard to teaching style, the course depends on a combination of lectures, cases, student presentations, interactive

participation, and both individual and group exercises. Thus, regular attendance, appropriate expressions of interest, and

meaningful contributions to class activities are expected, valued, and considered when determining students participation

grades. You are expected to read assigned materials before class, should be eager to voluntarily discuss relevant topics in

class, and should expect to be periodically called upon to answer questions or provide other input. Class activities are

designed to supplement, rather than replace, the textbook.

Course Objectives

*To provide opportunities for further development of students analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, andcommunication skills.

*To stimulate creative thinking and its application to case analysis through active discussion of cases.

*To familiarize students with cultural, historical, economic, social, political and business environments in Latin America.

Professors Expectations for Students

*Come to class prepared to discuss or to lead a discussion on assigned case and chapter readings, other reading

assignments, and current events in Latin America.*Attend all classes, participate actively, and submit all work assignments on or before their due date. If you must miss a

class because of illness or business travel then let me know in advance if possible, and make sure that any class assignments

are mailed to me postmarked on or before the scheduled day of class.

*Be creative to the extent possible, inasmuch as this adds to the quality of class activities.

Required Textbook:

Robles, Fernando, et al. 2003. Winning Strategies for the New Latin Markets. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Financial Times

Prentice Hall.

Several cases to be purchased from Harvard Business School Publications (see list at end of course outline).

Assignments and Grading

Final exam (individual) 30%Paper and its presentation in class (team project) 20%

Participation and case analyses (individual) 25%

Leading case discussion and analysis (team project) 25%

Final Exam

The final exam will consist primarily of essay questions.

Term Paper and Presentation

Teams of 3 to 4 students will submit a double-spaced, 8-page paper (excluding graphs, tables, figures, references, title page,

etc). Topics are open, but some examples are listed at the end of this course outline. The papers will be graded on both


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content and style/expression. They should include a title page and substantial research references. Additionally, an 8-10

minute oral presentation of the paper accompanied by PowerPoint slides should be made to the class.

Participation

Students are required to read thoroughly all cases and be prepared to orally present and defend their analyses of the cases

and they should be ready to discuss and challenge the presentations of other students.

Students also should maintain an awareness of current Latin American business dynamics and should apply their

knowledge to applicable class discussions. You are expected to attend all classes and to participate by actively contributingto class discussions, projects and activities. Unannounced quizzes, activities, or assignments that will affect students

participation grades may be introduced in class.

Leading Case Discussion and Analysis (Team Project)

On the indicated classes we will take about an hour of each class to discuss a management case related to Latin America.

Teams of 3 to 4 students will lead case discussions. Each team should do a thorough job of preparing to ask other students

questions that will lead the class through a discussion of the case that brings to light important learning concepts in the case.

Teams should also be prepared to present clearly their own thoughts concerning the case, and they should do so after, and

only after, giving other students an opportunity to share their thoughts

General

Research, writing, and presentation work should be divided equally among team members, and all team members will

receive the same grade unless unusual circumstances arise. Peer evaluations will be included as part of the team project.

Written assignments will be graded not only on content but also on writing effectiveness, style and technique in so far as

these contribute to the overall quality of the written work.

Creativity is generally appreciated and will be recognized as a valid contribution to the learning environment.

This syllabus may require changes during the course of the semester. Any changes will be announced in class.

Students are expected to be above reproach in scholastic activities. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all

students, and the integrity of the university, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. In particular, all

work submitted by students should be entirely original and completely the work of the student. Please follow the guidelines

of academic integrity as in all USD courses.


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Tentative Schedule

Week Topic Text Reading

One Introduction to Argentine business environment

Dr. Enrique Herrscher, guest speaker

Two Trade, Investment, Culture and Latin Americas Business Environment Chapter 1

Three Case: Arcor: Global Strategy and Local Turbulence

Case discussion led by Team 1

Regional Focus: Argentina

Four Consumer Markets in Latin America Chapter 2

The Competitive Landscape Chapter 3

Case Grupo Industrial Bimbo S.A. - 1998


Regional Focus: Mexico

Five Infrastructures and Transportation Chapter 4

Case: Building a Cluster: Electronics and IT in Costa RicaCase discussion led by Team 3

Regional Focus: Central America and Panama

Six Reaching Consumers in Latin America and Globally Chapter 5

Case: Natura Global Beauty Made in Brazil


Regional Focus: Brazil

Seven Competitive Strategies for Latin America Chapter 8Case: Embraer: The Global Leader in Regional Jets

Eight Team 1 and 2 Presentations

Regional Focus: Southern Cone Countries

Nine Team 3 and 4 Presentations

Regional Focus: The Andes

Ten Final Exam


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Sources of Information

Academic Journals

The Journal of International Business Studies

Journal of World BusinessThunderbird International Business Review

Multinational Business Review

Management International ReviewInternational Business Review

Latin American Business Review

Dailies, Magazines, and Periodicals

The Wall Street Journal

Financial Times

The Economist

Latin Trade (latintrade.com)Hispanic Business (HispanicBusiness.com)

Other Sources of Information

CIA (World Factbook)

Economist Intelligence Unit

International Monetary Fund

Moodys International Service

National Trade Data Bank (NTDB)

United Nations

U.S. Bureau of the CensusU.S. Department of Commerce

World Bank

Statistical Abstract of Latin America (annual publication)

Organization of American States (OAS)

http://www.aaccla.org/

http://www.infoamericas.com/

http://lanic.utexas.edu/http://internet.ggu.edu/university_library/latam.html

http://www.latin-focus.com/

http://www.latinvestor.com/hot%20links/hotlinks.htm

http://www.eclac.org/


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Cases

Arcor: Global Strategy and Local Turbulence

Publication Date: November 29, 2005Author(s): Pankaj Ghemawat, Michael G. Kukstad and Jennifer L. Illes

Type: Case (Field)

Product Number: 9-704-427Length: 38p

Grupo Industrial Bimbo S.A.--1998

Publication Date: Dec 4, 1998

Author(s): Ray A. Goldberg , Carin-Isabel Knoop , Srinivas Ramdas Sunder

Type: Case (Field)

Product Number: 9-599-066

Length: 18p

Building a Cluster: Electronics and Information Technology in Costa Rica

Publication Date: Nov 7, 2002

Author(s): Michael E. Porter , Niels W. Ketelhohn

Type: Case (Field)


Length: 22p

Natura Global Beauty Made in Brazil

Publication Date: Sep 26, 2006

Author(s): Geoffrey Jones, Ricardo Reisen de Pinho

Type: Case (Field)Product Number: 9-807-029

Length: 27p

Embraer: The Global Leader in Regional Jets

Publication Date: Jul 10, 2000

Revision Date: Oct 20, 2000

Author(s): Pankaj Ghemawat , Gustavo A. Herrero , Luiz Felipe MonteiroType: Case (Field)


Length: 21p

Cases can be purchased online at www.hbsp.com.

Potential Paper Topics

This list is only a suggestion, other topics are possible:

US policy as it relates to Latin America (business-focused)Regional integration and the impact on business

Industry study in Latin America

Immigration and trade policies (as it relates to the business environment)Political trends in Latin America and impact on business

Financial crises and business responsiveness

latin american business environment

Documents