Program Overview:

PM GLOBE is a required course in the USC Marshall School part-time MBA program, the MBA for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM). The purpose of the course is to develop students' awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the complexities of doing business in an increasingly international marketplace. The course combines analytical training with observation and experience and includes first-hand exposure to foreign business environments through an international field trip to one or two of countries in the Pacific Rim or Latin America: Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

Learning Objectives:

The purpose of PM GLOBE is to enhance MBA.PM students' knowledge and understanding of international business environments, to develop their appreciation of cross-country differences, and to expose them to foreign business practices. Our goal is to build theoretical understanding, practical knowledge, and increased awareness and sensitivity to the complexities of doing business overseas. Through this preparation, our students will be better prepared to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.

Program Design:

PM.GLOBE is a 3-unit course. The first half of the course is a global environment and international business course at the Marshall School. The second half is comprised of three components: country-specific training sessions at USC, the international trip itself, and final projects to be completed and presented upon return to Los Angeles.

The Global Environment and International Business:

This first portion of PM GLOBE consists of a six-week course focusing on the analysis of the global business environment and how this environment affects business decisions. This module examines how to assess the economic, political, social/cultural, institutional, and business environment of different countries. The implications for business decisions and strategies of the heterogeneity across countries in the business environment will be discussed. The effects of risk, uncertainty, and volatility in countries around the world and how these factors affect business decisions will also be examined. The challenges and opportunities of doing business in an age of globalization will be highlighted during this module.

Country-specific training:

Upon completion of the global and international business course in early March, students will be grouped according to the country they will visit and will receive intensive country-specific training in advance of their travel. These special training sessions will expose students to the country's history and its current economic, political, social, and cultural environment, and will be taught primarily by Marshall School and other USC faculty.

International trip:

The centerpiece of PM GLOBE is the international trip during Spring break. Building on the foundation acquired in course work, students will go overseas to observe international business first-hand through an intensive week abroad. Students will experience a mix of executive/expert presentations and company site-visits, which, in combination, will expose them to a variety of perspectives on business in the context of the country they are visiting.

Projects:

Students will be divided into groups of approximately 6-7 members and will be assigned group projects. Projects will require them to do research in advance of the trip and analysis and integration following the trip.