Our International Program is a one semester program involving coursework focused on the field of international business administration and management. This program is conducted in English and is available to students from both Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, as well as international students from our partners all over the world. The International Program is offered during the fall semester each year.
International Program
Courses offered
Each module covers a major subject in the field of Business Administration or Management, mostly with an international perspective.
All academic courses are taught in English by either international faculty or our own faculty members who have a broad international experience. The classes consist of German and international students of different countries in order to have a high diversity in the
classroom.
Some courses are offered exclusively for our international students and require a minimum enrolment of 5 students.
In the past years students from Finland, France, Georgia, GB, Hong Kong, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Turkey and the US participated successfully in this
program.
The following courses are offered:
Human Resource Management 3 ECTS
International Marketing 3 ECTS
International Finance 3 ECTS
Innovation and Product Management 4 ECTS
Intercultural Competence 3 ECTS
Principles of Business Administration 3 ECTS
Drivers of Global Business 2 ECTS
Introduction to Economics – Macroeconomics 3 ECTS International Economics – Macroeconomics 3 ECTS Principles of Intercultural Management 4 ECTS
Quality Management Strategies 3 ECTS
Business English 3 ECTS
Business French 3 ECTS
Modules exclusively for international students
German I - Beginners 5 ECTS
German II - Intermediate 5 ECTS
International Business 5 ECTS
International Leadership and Strategic Management 5 ECTS
Change and Innovation Management 5 ECTS
Political and Economic System in Europe 5 ECTS
International Sourcing and Logistics 5 ECTS
Project Management 4 ECTS
Business Communications 2 ECTS
Modul Human Resource Management
Work load 45 contact hours, 50 h self studies
Credits 3
Learning Objectives Students will be able to
• Understand the relevance of decisions within HR for the entire company
• Acquire profound knowledge in the field of HR and are able to solve problems in this field independently
• Work effectively in a team and lead a team
• Argue their point on the basis of a profound knowledge in business administration
• Use all means of learning and working methods for knowledge acquisition
• Ask appropriate questions, take part in discussions and give feedback to the lecturer
Contents • Tasks, objectives and areas of HR management
• Development tendencies in personnel politics
• Manpower requirement planning
• Personnel marketing
• Recruitment, laying off, staff development
• Employment and management of staff
• Reimbursement and corporate social policy
• Human resources controlling Assessment Methods Written examination
Literature Berthel, J. Becker, F.G: Personal Management
Scholz, Ch: Personalmanagement. Informationsorientierte und verhaltenstheoretische Grundlagen
Bühner R. Personalmanagement Drumm J.J. Personalwirtschaft Jung H. Personalwirtschaft
Modul International Marketing
Work load 45 contact hours, 50 hours self-studies
Credits 3
Learning Objectives Students will
• become familiar with basic questions regarding international marketing and marketing management
• realize differences and similarities with regard to general (and/or domestic) marketing
• link their knowledge with the daily practice of international marketing activities in their training companies and apply the acquired knowledge in the marketing department
The course objective is
• To show the spectrum of marketing strategy alternatives
• To compare and evaluate market entrance strategies
• To develop the special features of international market research
• To present the total range of possibilities for cross country marketing standardizing possibilities
• To answer basic questions of international brand management
• Give an insight in the different options for the creation of an international marketing mix
Contents Terms and definitions of international marketing – phase model and marketing management processes – basic philosophies in international marketing (ERPG-Model) – international
consumer behaviour (Hofstede, European Consumer Styles) – functions and specialities of international market research – standardization of marketing vs. country-specific adaptation – fundamentals of international brand management –
international product policy – international sales policy – international price policy – international communication policy – marketing ethics
Learning Outcomes The students
international marketing and master the relevant terminology,
• Are aware of differences – specific features in international marketing and are able to apply the relevant strategies and instruments of international market development on the basis of well-founded information.
• Are able to identify the basic philosophy (international market approach) of their own training company and evaluate the resulting consequences for the market development
• Are able to develop the position in competition, strategic business fields and market segmentation for international markets
• reflect the balancing act between standardization and country-specific adaptation of strategies and operational marketing activities on international markets
• Gain an overview on the instruments used for the creation of the Marketing Mix in international marketing for defined markets and target groups
• Are able to outline at least brands and international brand strategy within the framework of brand management
• Are equipped with the knowledge to support the topic „International Marketing“ in their training companies in a conceptual and operational way and develop it accordingly.
Assessment Methods Written examination
Literature Backhaus, K.: International Marketing; Schäffer-Poeschel, Stuttgart 2003
Berndt, R. u.a.: International Marketing-Management, Springer, Berlin 2003
Cateora, P./Graham, J.: International Marketing, International edition; McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. 2005
Kotler, P. / Armstrong, G.: Principles of Marketing, International Edition; Prentice Hall, New York 2003
Müller, S./Gelbrich, K.: Intercultural Marketing; Vahlen München 2004
Usunier, J.-C./Lee, J.A.: Marketing across Cultures; FT Prentice Hall, New York 2005
Module International Finance
Work load 90 h work load, 45 contact hours
Credits 3
Subject 1 Strategic Banking from a domestic and international perspective (Prof. Dr. Florian Lohmann)
Learning Objectives The lecture ought to give to the students esp. with aid of case studies
• an overview of main strategic opportunities for different types of banks
• a detailed comprehension of possible implications of strategic decisions
• an appraisal of parameters enhancing complexity (e.g. internationalization, strategic alliances).
Contents Strategic opportunities for a bank – Analysis of Business Segments – Strategic Alliances – Implications of strategic decisions – Implementing issues
Learning Outcome The students know about strategic opportunities related to different business models in the national and international context. They understand what sort of strategy fits in what type of bank. Furthermore they have the ability to correctly estimate operational effects of different strategies. The range of
strategic issues goes from very precise to very complex constellations, so that the students get familiar with different types of strategic complexity as well.
Literature Besanko, D. / Dranove, D. / Shanley, M.: Economics of Strategy, Current Edition, New York.
Dombret, A. R. / Kern, H. J.: European Retail Banks – An Endangered Species?, Current Edition, Weinheim.
Ghemawat, P. et al.: Strategy and the Business Landscape, Current Edition, Upper Saddle River.
Korhonen, P. / Koskinen, L. / Voutilainen, R.: A Customer View on the Most Preferred Alliance Structure between Banks and Insurance Companies, in: ZfB, No. 2, 2006, pp. 139-164. Krahnen, J. P. / Schmidt, R. H. (Eds.): The German Financial System, Current Edition, New York.
Subject 2 International Bank Marketing (Dipl. oec. Alexander Botzenhart)
Learning objectives Main Target of the lecture is to provide the students, esp. based on case studies, with
• an overview of basic patterns of internationalization,
• detailed comprehension of advantages and disadvantages of the different types of Internationalization and Market Entry Strategies chosen by banks,
• discernment of risks involved in different forms of
international presence, esp. in international Mergers and Acquisitions.
Contents Patterns of Internationalization – Timing Strategies – Assessment of Country Risk and Business Environment – Market Entry Strategies and Forms of International Presence – International Mergers and Acquisitions
Learning outcome • Acquaintance of the main terms in International Marketing
• Knowledge about basic strategies in International Marketing
• Critical and matching judgement of advantages,
disadvantages and risks immanent in internationalization strategies and their implementation by banks
Literature Bennett, R. / Blythe, J.: International Marketing: Strategy Planning, Market Entry & Implementation, 3rd edition, Kogan Page, 2002.
Doole, I. / Lowe, R.: International Marketing Strategy: Analysis, Development and Implementation, 4th edition, Thomson
Learning, 2004.
Faaborg, O. / Gesteland, R. R. / Noergaard, E.:International Marketing, Cultures & Communication, DanskeMedieDesign A/S, 2005.
Nicoleta-Lascu, D.:International Marketing, 2nd edition, Atomic Dog Publishing, 2005.
Subject 3 Currency Management – An Integrated Approach Prof. Dr. Dieter Gramlich
Learning objectives The objective of this course is to combine topics of currency management with other aspects of financial management. Students may achieve a deeper comprehension of:
• Interactions between selected topics of financial management,
• Effects of interactions on the financial profile of the company,
• Integrated concepts of currency and portfolio management. Contents Currency implications in international financial management –
Basic strategies and instruments of currency management – Portfolio effects in financial management – Integrated hedging of currency and other financial risks – Case studies in
currency/ international financial management
Learning outcome The students get familiar with:
• Currency implications from the point of view of investors in different countries,
• Combined effects in financial management – interactions between exchange rate fluctuations and price movements on international financial markets,
• Net performance from international investing and hedging. Literature Desai, M.; International Finance, A Casebook, Hoboken 2007
Eiteman, David K. / Stonehill, Arthur I. / Moffet, Michael H. (2006); Multinational Business Finance, 11th ed., Boston et al. 2006
Madura, Jeff (2003); International Financial Management, 7th ed., Mason 2003
Shapiro, Alan C. (1985); Currency Risk and Country Risk in International Banking, in: The Journal of Finance, Vol. 40 (1985), No. 3, S. 881 – 893
Shapiro, Alan C. (2003); Multinational Financial Management, 7th ed., New York 2003
Modul Innovation and Product Management
Work load Contact hours 36, self studies 108 hours
Credit Points 4
Learning Objectives Students learn central methods for analysis and implementation in the fields of product innovation, process innovation, structure -innovation and cultural -innovation. They are able to identify essential factors in complex and realistic scenarios and deduct suitable measures. Students work on a real innovative product.
Contents Innovation Management I
• Fundamentals
• Term innovation for products and services
• Strategic and operational innovation management
• The relevance of innovation for companies and competition
• Methods in innovation management
• Application of consulting methods
• Feasibility study of a defined project
• Knowledge of requirements and structure of sales processes
• Market research for defined project
• Development and application of own "soft skills"
• Knowledge of personal preferences and personality profiles
• Application of project management skills and methods
• Understanding the technological aspects of a product (materials, construction, mechanics)
• Understanding the economic and business aspects of a new product (marketing, financing, project management) Innovation Management II
• Case studies of innovation management
• Realization of a real project
• Design and production of a product
• Presentation of the product
Module Intercultural Competence
Work load Contact hours 24
Credit Points 3
Learning Objectives Students
• develop the ability to unitize differences in national management styles to achieve synergistic results
• acquire the skills necessary to identify, analyze and solve problems arising from the increasingly multinational composition of today’s workforce
• increase their awareness of the impact of “culture” and the “human factor” as determinant elements for successful international managers
Contents • Concept of intercultural competence
• International differences in work-related values
• Cross cultural settings
• Case studies: North America, Russia, India, China, South America, Germany, Georgia, Scandinavian Countries
Module International Economics - Macroeconomics
Work load 36 contact hours, 40 hours self-studies
Credit Points 3
Learning Objectives Students learn to understand the logic of systematic descriptions of economic activities in a national economy and they realize the basic differences between classifying descriptions (Ex-post-Analysis) and the explanation (Ex-ante-(Ex-post-Analysis) of economic procedures. Students start to get acquainted with the
methodological approach to explain macro-economic phenomena (Cyclical fluctuations, unemployment, inflation, growth) within the framework of a systematic economic model (formation of sectors, markets, budget restrictions). They are taught the Keynesian Model with ist possibilities, to reduce unemployment through reflationary money and fiscal policies. Furthermore, they gain a fundamental insight into long-term growth processes.
Contents Business cycle analysis, balance of payments, analysis of product markets and money markets – IS/LM model – effects of fiscal politics on stabilization – analysis of the labour market – business cycles in classical models – growth and technological progress
Learning Outcomes After having finished this semester, the students are able to explain the subject and methods of Macro Economics. They can also describe and judge the meaning, the use and the limits of models in the macroeconomic analysis, and they have an overview over the macroeconomic history of dogmas.
In the field of Economic Policy, the students know the (ideal) economic systems, and they are able to draw conclusions from the advantages and disadvantages of the ideal systems for the design of economic systems. They also know the German economy. The students have gained knowledge of the basics of the supply and demand analysis of (polypolistic) markets. They are able to analyse single markets with the help of these
instruments and to apply these instruments to new problems. Furthermore, they are able to analyse the budget behaviour and they are also able to differentiate the demand curve from
elementary utility maximisation considerations.
Assessment Methods Written examination
Literature Blanchard, O., Illing, G.. (2004): Makroökonomie (3. Aufl.). München: Pearson.
Clement, R., Terlau, W., Kiy, M. (2004)): Grundlagen der Angewandten Makroökonomie: Eine Verbindung von
Makroökonomie und Wirtschaftspolitik mit Fallbeispielen (3. Aufl.). München: Vahlen
Dornbusch, R., Fischer, S., Startz, R. (2003): Makroökonomik (8. Aufl.). München: Oldenbourg
Felderer, B., Homburg, S. (2003): Makroökonomik und neue Makroökonomik (8. Aufl.). Berlin etc.: Springer
Mussel, G. (2004): Einführung in die Makroökonomik (8. Aufl.). München: Vahlen
Module Quality Management Strategies
Work load 35(The programme is planned to be delivered over a one week period)
Credit Points 3
Learning Objectives The objectives of this course is to familiarize students with the principals of quality management
Contents 1. Introduction to module; issue handbook with power points, case studies and workshop.
Basis of quality as a strategy (definition) (Slack Chapter 1). Issue case study for the group.
2. Role and objectives of operations and quality (Slack Chapter 2)
Quality “Gurus” – handbook.
3. Quality implementation – the TQM approach (Slack Chapter 20)
ISO 9000 – handbook.
4. Pareto as a quality control tool – handbook. 5. SPC (Statistical Process Control) – handbook.
6. Lean quality operations and just in time (Slack Chapter 15).
Just in time workshop – handbook.
7. Quality Six Sigma principles and workshop – handbook. 8. OPT principle with respect to quality assurance.
9. Case study completion and presentation.. Learning Outcomes The students get familiar with the:
• Basics of QM
• Principals of QM
• implemantatiens
Assessment Methods Presentation and oral examination
Literature The lectures have a core text “Operations Manager” by Slack, Chambers and Johnson 6th Edition
Modul Business English I
Work load
Credits 3
Learning Objectives Students should be able to:
• Describe themselves and talk about their business environment.
• Communicate in everyday business-life situations.
• Report on company organization.
• Talk about products and services.
• Deal with telephone calls.
• Participate in and lead meetings and discussions.
• Write commercial correspondence
Contents
• Company description (products, services, structure)
• Making contacts, keeping small talk.
• Telephoning
• Leading and participating in meetings and discussions
• Commercial correspondence Assessment Methods Written and oral examination
Literature Crowther-Alwyn, Business Roles. Simulations for Business English, Cambridge University Press, (1997 und 19999), vols. 1&2
Sweeney, Simon, English for Business Communication (2nd
edition, 2003), Cambridge University Press
Wood, Ian, Pass Cambridge BEC Vantage/Higher (20049 Summertown Publishing
WBTs: Business English Online (Hueber), Interactive Business Spanish (Digital Publishing
Modul Business English II
Work load
Credits 3
Learning Objectives Students should be able to:
• describe processes and systems.
• analyse and interpret annual statements and company reports.
• write applications (CV, covering letter).
• negotiate.
• be aware of intercultural differences
Contents • Describing company processes and systems
• Analysis and interpretation of annual statements and company annual reports
• Writing CVs and covering letters. Job interviews: strategies
• Negotiating techniques considering intercultural differences between USA, UK, Germany
Assessment Methods Written and oral examination
Literature Crowther-Alwyn, Business Roles. Simulations for Business English, Cambridge University Press, (1997 und 19999), vols. 1&2
Sweeney, Simon, English for Business Communication (2nd
edition, 2003), Cambridge University Press
Wood, Ian, Pass Cambridge BEC Vantage/Higher (20049 Summertown Publishing
WBTs: Business English Online (Hueber), Interactive Business Spanish (Digital Publishing)
Modul Business English III
Work load
Credits 3
Learning Objectives Students should be able to:
• Understand complex contracts and agreements.
• Give presentations using visual aids and describe.
• graphs properly
• Have and give interviews. Contents • Contracts and agreements.
• Differences between American, English and German type of contracts
• Presentations about business matters using visual aids
• Interviewing
Assessment Methods Written and oral examination
Literature Crowther-Alwyn, Business Roles. Simulations for Business English, Cambridge University Press, (1997 und 19999), vols. 1&2
Sweeney, Simon, English for Business Communication (2nd
edition, 2003), Cambridge University Press
Wood, Ian, Pass Cambridge BEC Vantage/Higher (20049 Summertown Publishing
WBTs: Business English Online (Hueber), Interactive Business Spanish (Digital Publishing)
Modul Business French
Work load 26 contact hours
Credits 3
Prerequisites French, Level B1
Learning Objectives
Contents Greetings and introductions, asking for origin, addresses and telephone numbers, making suggestions, stating intent, talking about leisure activities, geographical situations, the opening and working hours, knowing week-days and months, asking and giving dates, describing job and studies, simple writing
Learning Methods In-class, group work, tutorials
Assessment Methods oral examination
Modul German as a Foreign Language I - Beginners
Work load 36 contact hours + 45 self study
Credits 5
Learning Objectives
Contents
Learning Outcomes The students are able to give information about themselves, their hometown, family, hobbies etc, using complex sentences. They can also comprehend longer spoken texts. They are able to use the German language in general situations of daily life.
The students possess intercultural competence and are aware of the characteristics of the German-speaking world.
The students are able to reflect on the language learning process. They are able to identify, select and consciously apply learning strategies.
Learning Methods Course, group work, private studies etc.
Assessment Methods Written examination
Literature Funk, Kuhn, Demme, studio d A1 Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Cornelsen 2009, ISBN 978-3-464-20707-9
Modul German as a Foreign Language II - Intermediate
Work load 36 contact hours + 45 self study
Credits 5
Learning Objectives Building on the basic skills, the students acquire further communication competence for use in daily life. The creation of this competence also includes relevant country-specific information on Germany.
With a view to already existing skills, both the receptive
(hearing, reading) as well as the expressive (speaking, writing) abilities are developed to enable the students to achieve an improvement of the mastery of the language.
In addition, the working techniques for lifelong independent learning are introduced. The students are encouraged to a creative handling of the language.
Contents The course is oriented at the daily life of the learner and deals with topics important to them and their daily life. For the
Course, this means the comprehensive development of skills, e.g. through the use of texts, audio texts, for Internet search. Another focus of the Course is on the acquisition of basic grammatical structures whereby structures already acquired are extended and consolidated and further grammatical academic topics introduced and practiced.
Vocabulary: Extended basic vocabulary; invitations; asking for permission, going out, making, accepting and turning down suggestions, writing letters, making assumptions.
Learning Outcomes The students are able to give information about themselves, their hometown, family, hobbies etc, using complex sentences. They can also comprehend longer spoken texts. They are able to use the German language in general situations of daily life. The students possess intercultural competence and are aware of the characteristics of the German-speaking world.
The students are able to reflect on the language learning process. They are able to identify, select and consciously apply learning strategies.
Assessment Methods Written examination
Literature Funk, Kuhn, Demme, studio d A1 Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Cornelsen 2009, ISBN 978-3-464-20707-9
Module International Business
Work load 39 hrs of lectures/ seminar 51 hrs of independent study
Credit Points 5
Learning Objectives Students will retrace the progression of international trade and foreign direct investment. They will gain an understanding of theoretical approaches for explaining international trade and foreign direct investment as well as the ability to compare them with each other.
Further, they will come to understand how international trade, foreign direct investments and international organizations affect (and are affected by) political, social and economic circumstances in various countries. Further, the class will deal with questions such as the means of financing international business, possible factors that may cause it to fail, and probable consequences that such a failure will entail.
Contents • developments of international trade and foreign direct investment
• evaluating globalization and its consequences
• economic integration
• overview of international organizations
• basics of international business finance
• failure and termination of international relationships Learning Methods lecture, seminar, group work, independent study
Assessment Methods final written exam
Literature Cavusgil, S Tamer; Knight, Gary; Riesenberger, John R. 2008. International business: Strategy, Management, and the New Realities. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall
Modul International Leadership and Strategic Management
Work load 40 contact hours
Credit Points 5
Learning Objectives Students will gain an understanding of concepts and instruments of leadership and strategic management in international companies. Students will recognize basic differences between national and international personnel management including intercultural specifics of HR
Management in internationally operating companies. They are able to reflect concepts, methods and instruments of
international strategic management, apply them and evaluate their effectiveness. They are able to identify reasons for management problems in an international context and to develop suitable measures to solve those problems.
Contents International and global strategies in personnel management Hiring differences in selected countries
Working in multi-cultural workforces
Re-integration of expatriates after returning from out of country assignments
Strategies for international management
Team leadership and negotiating around the world
Modern leadership applying teachings of current scholars Business ethics and corporate social responsibility
Current economic developments
Learning Methods Lecture, seminar, group work, independent study
Assessment Methods Assignment and written examination
Modul The Political and Economic System of the European Union
Work load
Credits 5
Learning Objectives For a better understanding of current issues of the European agenda such as the ongoing process of the EU enlargement and the acceptance of a common constitution, this lecture provides an overview of the main institutions of the European Union as a base for further discussions.
Contents • Brief historical overview
• The institutions and legal framework The European Parliament
The European Commission
The Council of the European Union Legislation procedures
• The European Central Bank Structure and elements The policy of the ECB
• The Economic and Monetary Union Labour market
Common Agricultural Policy Stability and Growth Pact
• The budget of European Union
• European Constitution
The course includes excursions to the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt with a guided tour and discussion rounds
Learning Methods Seminar, independent study, group assignment of case studies, business simulations, e-learning
Assessment Methods Written Exam / Written Exam and Term Paper
Modul International Sourcing and Logistics
Work load 40 contact hours
Credit Points 5
Learning Objectives • Provide an understanding of strategies and tactics for international sourcing; the sourcing process; location of suppliers, policy, decision making and associated logistics.
• Explore techniques to assist international sourcing and logistics in the form of quality, lean, agile, six sigma, change and communications.
Contents
• International language of sourcing and logistics.
• Strategic outsourcing / “off-shoring”.
• Quality, quality assurance and total quality.
• Six sigma methodology.
• Lean principles.
• Agile characteristics, drivers and enablers.
• Managing the sourcing/logistics change.
Learning Methods • Students will be involved in a series of lectures, discussions, tutorials, experiments and workshops to explore the module content.
Assessment Methods • Oral group presentation of case study.
Literature • Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 7th edition (or later) Lyson and Farrington. Pearson Education Ltd.
• Purchasing Principles and Management 9th Edition (or later), Bailey, Farmer, Jessop and Jones; Pearson Education Ltd.
Modul Project Management
Work load 36
Credits 4
Learning objectives Students will:
• develop an understanding of the importance of project management
• apply the principles, practices and methods underlying project
• execution
• develop a view of projects in their organizational context Contents • Project types, Project-life-cycle
• Project definition: selection, goals, stakeholder
• planning, estimation and scheduling process
• Project close-out: lessons learned
• Project organisation
Learning outcomes • Students apply the basic principles of project management Assessment method Written examination
Literature Wysocki, Robert K. 2009 Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Fifth Edition Wiley Publishing, Inc. (ISBN 978-0-470-42367-7)
Modul Research Project
Work load 80 hours
Credits 5
Learning Objectives Students will work on a defined topic by applying scientific methods. They will research a topic and find well-founded
solutions to a specified problem.
Topic The topic of the research paper is specified together with the supervising faculty member.
Competences Students
• Will expand their knowledge in the defined area and field of business.
• Expand their ability to think in an analytical way.
• Think critically and find suitable solutions
• Seek for and use appropriate scientific literature
• Analyse and evaluate specific processes
• Apply problem solution techniques and methods
• Use project management techniques
Working on the topic Students
Prepare the topic, research the relevant literature, write a paper.
The paper has to meet the requirements of an academic paper.
Analysis and synthesis of the problem has to take into account the relevant scientific findings.
Duale Hochschule BW Heidenheim will name a supervisor for the paper.
The paper consists of about 20 pages.
Costs:
Tuition: There are no tuition fees
Accommodation in Heidenheim (per month):
Private accommodation approx. € 250 – 300
Host family approx. € 200
Living expenses approx. € 300
Optional:
Intensive German Class (Freiburg) approx. € 800
(3 week intensive including tuition and housing in Freiburg or Heidelberg)
A limited number of stipends is available from the Ministry of Education of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg for international students.