GLOBAL BUSINESS

 

Course Descriptions

 

MGT 501       The Global Competitive Framework (3)

Success in the global marketplace depends first upon understanding international economic and business developments, and then applying this knowledge to the process of gaining a global competitive advantage. This course examines the evolving competitive characteristics of the global economy, including the new World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, technological development, the globalization of business activities, the advent of specific regional trading blocs, the rise of newly industrializing nations as major competitors in selected industries, and the various ways industries develop and sustain international competitiveness. Students examine these issues by exploring the effects on business decision making of key economic and business concerns in the United States, the European Union, the Centrally Planned Economies, and Japan and the Pacific Basin region (including China). Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

MGT 502       Ethics for Professionals in a Multicultural World (3)

As business becomes increasingly internationalized and a global economy further develops, ethical issues that affect business in the international arena have also become of increasing importance. This course specifically addresses the following moral and ethical issues: employment practices and policies, consumer protection, environmental protection, political payments and involvement, and basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. Case study analysis, videos and guest speakers will provide the student with an increased understanding and sensitivity to these issues. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

MGT 503       Comparative Management (3)

This course serves as an introduction to the field of international organizational behavior and management. It presents the material from a global rather than from a North American or Western European perspective. It views culture not only as important for understanding other societies and managing organizations, but as a major cause of much behavior in organizations, specifically addressing how technology, strategy, size and goals of an organization relate to culture. Finally, it attempts to improve a student’s interpersonal behavior concerning the cultural variations found in international organizations. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

MGT 504       Operational and Technology Issues in Global Business (3)

This course covers the fundamentals of export and import trade, documentation, price quoting, product adaptation or standardization, and international promotion and global logistics. Methods for establishing joint ventures and other strategic alliances are also investigated. There is a heavy emphasis on the development of these skills and appreciation for the global environment through case studies, articles, videos, and guest speakers. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

 

MGT 650       Directed Research (3)

This course is the last course taken by the student in the MS - Global Business program. All other course work must be complete. The student will be assigned a faculty mentor by the director of the program based upon the specific area of study the student wishes to undertake. In close consultation with the faculty mentor, the student will develop a thesis in the form of a case study, a management consulting report, or a theoretical research study. The work generated in this course needs to be approved by graduate program faculty at various stages. The student will be provided more detail on this process by the faculty mentor. Offered Each Semester.

 

FIN 601          Global Monetary System and Capital Markets (3)

This course is devoted to in-depth discussion and practical application of business finance as practiced in a borderless world. The major topics covered include the international monetary system, the balance of payments, foreign exchange, the management of foreign exchange risk, the role of banks in international finance, and a discussion and analysis of the non-bank financial institutions and international financial markets that represent an inventory of financial resources for the global company. Offered Each Year (Spring).

 

MKT 507       Strategic Planning for the Global Market (3)

This course lays out the competitive orientation and strategies for initial entry, market expansion, and integration of international marketing operations. The course reviews current market opportunities and competitive conditions at the global, regional, and national levels. The student learns how to successfully participate in both emerging markets and regional economic blocs such as APEC, ASEAN, EU, EFTA, NAFTA, and MERCOSUR. Participants use case study analysis to develop their skills in analyzing and formulating international marketing initiatives. Offered Each Year (Spring/Summer).

 

Elective Courses Descriptions

 

MIS 620         Competing in the Information Age (3)

The course focuses on how the IT revolution, and especially the Internet, has established a new economics that companies need to embrace, has provided enormous opportunity to create and capture value, and is blurring the boundaries of traditional industries while restructuring others. Companies that fail to recognize and act on these fundamental changes will find themselves in strategic jeopardy. Offered As Needed.

 

MIS 630         Decision Support Systems (DSS) for Managers (3)

An examination of how managers utilize various applications such as spreadsheets, database management systems, decision support systems, executive information systems, and expert systems to support decision making in business environments. The emphasis is on problem solving tasks, which are semi-structured, i.e. they combine human judgment with the use of computing tools and techniques. DSS do not replace managerial judgment but rather provide support for decision-making; the final agent remains the human. Offered As Needed.

 

MIS 640         Management of Innovation & Technological Change (3)

This course provides a foundation for managing innovation and technology in a changing, competitive environment. Technology is discussed as a critical component, along with people and skills, in adding value to products and services. Other topics discussed include the Industry Evolution Process, intrapreneurship, technology deployment, the stages of the innovation process, organizational change, and the business realities of today and tomorrow. Offered As Needed.

 

MKT 611       Regional Business in the Latin American Countries

MKT 612       Regional Business in Canada

MKT 613       Regional Business in the Pacific Rim

MKT 614       Regional Business in the European Union

 

These courses are designed to concentrate on the issues and needs of a specific geographic region in relation to the student’s own involvement in global business. Each course is devoted to discussing various topics relevant to a specific geographic business. Each course is devoted to discussing various topics relevant to a specific geographic region, including trade and business environments, political stability, and case analysis of selected business ventures in the region. In addition to course work, participants produce an independent research project designed to be applied in some facet of their current or future work in a specific region. Students are encouraged to look at global business issues in new and innovative ways. Offered As Needed.

 

Specialty Track in Accounting

 

ACC 618        Advanced Taxation (3)

This course focuses on the basic principles of federal income taxation of corporations, partnerships, trusts, gifts, and estates. It reinforces the use of tax research tools, and provides an overview of administrative and procedural aspects of tax practice. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Offered Each Year (Summer).

 

ACC 620        Advanced Auditing (3)

An advanced study of auditing standards, principles, theory, and practice. Current trends in auditing and assurance services will be emphasized. The class offers an in-depth examination of auditor legal liability, ethics, audit procedures, statistical sampling, and audit research using electronic databases and the Internet. The class will also be focused on the Information Technology Audit function, the use of technology in audits, auditing through computer systems and auditing around computer systems. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Offered Each Year (Summer).

 

ACC 630        Global Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis (3)

This course presents a five-step framework for effective financial statement analysis. It begins with an understanding of the industry economic characteristics and current conditions of the firms businesses and the particular strategies the firm selects to compete in each of these businesses. It then assesses how well the firm’s financial statements reflect the economic effects of the firm’s decisions and actions. With the use of financial statement ratios and other analytical tools, it assesses the profitability and risk of the firm in the recent past and, by incorporating information about expected changes, forecasts expected profitability and risk. Finally, the analyst values the firm using various valuation.  tools and models. The framework will be applied to both domestic and international companies. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Offered Each Year (Fall).

 

ACC 650        Directed Research in Accounting (3)

This course is the capstone course for the 150-hour accounting program. The student, under the guidance of a mentor, will prepare a research study in the field of accounting. The topic of the study must be approved by the graduate committee and defended in a public forum when complete. Details of the process will be provided to the student by their faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Offered Each Year (Summer and Fall).

FACULTY

 

John P. Blest, B.S., M.B.A., University at Buffalo; Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Director of MS Global Business program.

 

Sharlene M. Buszka, PHR, B.S., M.B.A., University at Buffalo; Associate Professor of Business Administration.

 

William R. DiPietro, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh; Professor of Economics.

 

Linda Kuechler, CPA, CMA, B.A., Canisius College; M.B.A, Rochester Institute of Technology; Ph.D., University at Buffalo; Professor of Accounting and Business Administration.

 

Luiz Pereira, B.S. Ch.E., Fluminense Federal University, RJ Brazil; M.B.A., Brigham Young University; Assistant Professor of Business Administration.

 

Daniel J. Tschopp, CPA, B.S., M.B.A., University at Buffalo; Associate Professor of Accounting.

 

Joseph F. Winter, CPA, B.S., Daemen College; M.B.A., Canisius College; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business Administration.