The College of Business is pleased to introduce the Applied
International Business (AIB-China) as a new section offering of the
MBA545 Integrated Capstone Experience class. This new Integrated
Capstone Experience version exposes Butler MBA students to
integrate business disciplines and to the field of international
business by engaging in an international business strategy
development process. In today's globalized business environment,
leaders need to develop an international business perspective and a
global mindset. Just as important, they need to build up relevant,
tangible skills. Within the context of an international consultancy
project, the new Integrated Capstone Experience challenges MBA
students to develop a comprehensive evaluation of the international
business development opportunities within China for a U.S. client
company. This capstone version includes a one-week study trip to
China. Through this experience, MBA students will develop
substantive knowledge and experience in China, one of the premier
BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) emerging markets.
When will this course be offered? Show
Answer
This section of the Integrated Capstone Experience (MBA545-51)
course will be offered in the fall semester of 2010. This 3-credit
core course will meet on Mondays from 6-8:40p.m. In addition,
students who register for this class must also simultaneously
enroll in a 2-credit MBA Study Trip to China. The trip to China
will take place the week of Oct. 17-24, 2010. Future MBA545-51
Applied International Business (AIB) sections of the Integrated
Capstone Experience will focus on other premier emerging markets
such as India and Brazil.
How does this course count in the curriculum?
Show
Answer
The MBA545-51 Integrated Capstone Experience, Applied
International Business (AIB) section is open to all MBA students,
regardless of area of concentration. In general, students must
complete all of the core courses prior to enrolling in the
Integrated Capstone Experience. However, for the fall 2010
semester, to promote participation in this new section of MBA545, a
one-time incentive is being offered. In particular, students may
enroll in MBA545-51 without having all prerequisites completed.
Specifically, students may be missing up to two MBA core classes
and still enroll in MBA545-51.
The 2-credit MBA Study Trip to China is designated as a 2-G
points course. The study trip is open to all MBA students and
counts as an elective toward any of the areas of concentration.
Note that students enrolled in MBA545-51 must also be enrolled in
the 2-credit Study Trip to China. However, it is not necessary to
enroll in MBA545-51 in order to enroll in the 2-credit Study Trip
to China.
How is this course taught? Show
Answer
Dr. Roberto Curci will be the lead instructor
and academic advisor for this course.
However, this course will also have the instructional support of
two team mentors and facilitators: Mr. Brian
Landis, Managing Director of the Butler Business
Accelerator, will serve as a consulting advisor and Mr.
Scott Troyer, Butler College of Business' Executive
Partner, will serve as an executive advisor
How is this course organized? Show
Answer
The course is organized into three segments:
- Segment 1, Pre-Trip: (7 weeks - Aug.
30 to Oct. 11, 2010)
Students will be introduced to corporate strategy, international
business, the business consultancy process, and to the business
environment in China. This will be accomplished through a mix of
lectures, case discussion and guest speakers. The students will be
organized in teams of up to three members, and each team will be
given responsibility for a particular aspect of an international
consultancy project. The teams will: 1) Define the scope of the
project; 2) Plan its implementation, and 3) Prepare and deliver a
formal letter of engagement to the client company. The letter of
client engagement will specify, among other aspects, the scope of
the project, the implementation plan, and the project deliverables.
The student teams will begin the secondary data collection and
analysis before departure to China.
- Segment 2, China Study Trip: (1 Week -
Oct.17-24, 2010)
The students, instructor and mentor(s) will be in China (Hong
Kong & Guangdong Province) for one week. The trip will
introduce participants to the culture, history, and business
environment in China. Specifically, students will develop a broader
perspective of contemporary Chinese business issues through a
briefing on U.S.-Chinese political and business relations at the
U.S. Embassy in Hong Kong, by attending lectures about China's
major industries at Lingnan University, and by visiting the
operations of selected U.S. and Chinese corporations. Additional
information relevant to the international consultancy project will
be gathered throughout the trip.
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Students will be charged a fee to cover Butler University's
out-of-pocket expenses to compensate our partner institutions in
China for the organization and delivery of the study trip
activities, which will include lectures at Lingnan University,
corporate visits, hotel accommodations, food (breakfast and lunch),
cultural visits, and local transportation. The instructor will
coordinate and provide students with information regarding
international transportation arrangements. However, students will
pay the airline company directly for the cost of international
transportation to Hong Kong.
- Segment 3, Post-Trip: (7 weeks - Oct. 25 to
Dec. 10, 2010)
Students will apply international business frameworks to analyze
and integrate the knowledge developed and the information generated
during Segments 1 & 2 of the class. Specifically, they will
comprehensively evaluate the international business opportunities
of the U.S.-based client. The students will prepare a preliminary
report of their findings and recommendations to share with the
client company. Client feedback will be solicited during this
process, and the students will incorporate the feedback for the
purpose of developing final written and oral reports of their
evaluation and recommendations to the client.
How is this course interdisciplinary? Show Answer
International business is interdisciplinary by nature and as
such the instructor encourages the participation of MBA students
from any concentration. The problems we will encounter are business
problems and are not specific to a single functional area
(leadership, marketing, international business, finance). The
international consultancy project requires students to work in
rotating teams throughout the semester. Therefore, the instructors
seek students with different backgrounds, experiences and areas of
expertise.
Is enrollment limited? Show
Answer
Enrollment is capped at 15 students. Interested students are
encouraged to submit their application as early as possible. The
enrollment process is already open. For course enrollment,
applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students will be approved for participation in this course within a
few days after the application has been received. To assemble a
diverse group of participants it is important that we understand
your motivation for taking this course as well as your professional
background. If a large number of applications are received, the
selection process will take into account the applicant's motivation
to enroll in this course, his/her background and the core MBA
classes already taken.
The instructor expects to receive and process students'
applications by March 31, 2010, the last week before the fall
2010 semester registration period opens (The fall registration
period opens on Monday, April 5, 2010). When this course
fills, the acceptance of new applications will be closed.
What is the application process? Show
Answer
Application for MBA545-51 - Integrated Capstone
Experience - Applied International Business course - with study
trip to China
Print this
one-page application. The application and evaluation
process is already open. Upon completing the application,
follow the steps listed below:
Procedures and Deadlines
- Getting admitted to the course:
- Print and complete this application. Students will not be able
to enroll in this course online.
- Email or fax your complete application to Dr. Roberto Curci and type
"MBA-545-51 Integrated Capstone Experience AIB-China Application"
in the subject line. (Fax: 317-566-9432)
- Dr. Curci expects he will inform applicants about the approval
of applications within a week after the application has been
received. However, depending upon the level of demand for this
course, the applicants' evaluation process may require a longer
period.
- Ms. Joyce Bacone will receive a copy of Dr. Curci's
approval/rejection notice to applicants.
- Once Dr. Curci admits a student for participation on this
course, the student should contact Ms. Joyce Bacone to formally
and simultaneously register for the MBA545-51 Integrated Capstone
Experience, Applied International Business (AIB) class as well as
the MBA Study Trip to China (MBA594-China) course. Ms. Bacone will
add this course to the student's fall schedule.
- Registration Deadline - Once you are approved by Dr. Curci, you
have until March 31, 2010, to make your registration request to Ms.
Bacone. By registering you are making a full commitment to
participate in the MBA545-51 Integrated Capstone Experience (AIB)
course and to travel to China.
If you have any questions regarding the application process
please feel free to contact Dr. Roberto Curci:
Roberto Curci,
Ph.D.
Holcomb Building, HB257
Tel: (317) 940-9980