The American University DBA 8710 International Business and Global Strategy

Examines the theory and practice of developing and implementing strategies for gaining competitive advantage in the global business environment. Students review the theoretical body of knowledge in the fields of strategic management and international business. Learners consider a variety of empirical approaches used to research the international competitive strategy process to include exploration of the accelerating globalization of industries, regionalization of competition, and the institutional contexts that both facilitate and impede the formation and implementation of global strategies. In addition, students consider such emerging topics as organizational change, competitive dynamics, development of firm resources and capabilities, sustainable competitive advantage, regional approaches to competitive strategy, and the formation of new organizational forms such as strategic alliances and inter-firm networks.

Learning outcomes

• Explain the various approaches to analyzing global strategy.
• Identify the most popular definitions of strategy and the circumstances when each is appropriate.
• Interpret the dimensions of international management.
• Explain the function of leaders in today’s organization.
• Distinguish between multinational and global strategy.
• Compare the benefits and drawbacks of global strategy.
• Explain the basis of competition.
• Distinguish between the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of buyers.
• Distinguish between planning strategy and crafting strategy.
• Explain the cultural context of strategy.
• Distinguish between the formal planning approach to change and the power-behavior approach.
• Assess why the process of change must be compatible with the particular organization undergoing change.

Prerequisites

None