GBUS 8309 MANAGEMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND SOCIETY

Targeted at students who want to work outside the United States in highly globalized industries or in positions where they will be responsible for the evaluation of investment opportunities across a diverse set of countries, this course explores the relationship between firms that operate internationally and economic development. Its focus is on the pursuit of continued economic development as the fundamental force driving change in the international business environment. Students will examine how investments in developing economies in particular present firms with opportunities to realize substantial financial returns and contribute to economic growth but are fraught unique challenges and risks. Moreover, these investments raise normative concerns regarding the role of business in society and the nature of globalization. The course delivers models and concepts for students to understand the process of economic growth, human development, and the roles of private firms in promoting rising living standards through their operating and strategic decisions. By applying these models and concepts to a broad set of cases, students learn how to analyze the economic, financial, and social issues that affect firms’ investments and operations around the globe. The course has no prerequisites but draws heavily on themes presented in the required first-year Global Economies and Markets (GEM) course and relates to numerous issues covered in finance, strategy and other GEM electives.

Academic course objectives:

· Examine the relationship between firms that operate internationally and economic development

· Examine the challenges and risks that go with investing in developing economies

· Analyze the economic, financial, and social issues that affect firms’ investments and operations around the globe

Elements of the course grade:

Individual written assignments           15%

Class participation                               35%

Projects                                               50%

For further information, please see http://mbaportal.darden.virginia.edu/ca/SY/gbus8309/.