Pedro Miguel Domingos Duarte de Oliveira [ESG-ESD]
Responsável
Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
The general objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge and practical skills related to international business operations, focusing on conditions for accessing foreign markets (influenced by global agreements and tariff regimes) and the associated customs procedures and formalities in the movement of goods and provision of services.
The specific objectives are as follows:
O1: Understand the various contextual and transactional aspects that influence the internationalization of Portuguese companies.
O2: Describe the operational aspects of internationalization.
O3: Familiarize with the conditions, restrictions, and costs of accessing foreign markets.
O4: Describe the practical aspects related to exporting goods.
O5: Explain the dynamics of international markets and the need for quick adaptation of operational strategies.
Syllabus
1. Determinants of Business Success in International Trade
1.1 The Emergence of International Trade in a Globalized World
1.2 Elements of Business Success in International Trade
2. Internationalization Processes
2.1 Competencies, Relationships, and Learning in Internationalization
2.2 Basic Types of Organizational Structures for International Business Operations
3. International Commercial Distribution
3.1 Marketing Channels and Access to International Markets
3.2 Tariff Regimes and Conditions/Restrictions for Access to Third-Country Markets
3.3 Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements
4. Exportation of Goods and Services
4.1 Types, Procedures, Formalities, and Documentation in International Movement of Goods
4.2 Modes of Contracts/Incoterms
5. Strategies for Change and Combination of Operational Modes
5.1 Motivations for Changing Operational Modes
5.2 Barriers to Changing Operational Modes
5.3 Reasons for Combining Operational Modes
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
Chapter 1 addresses contextual and transactional aspects that precondition business success when expanding their operations beyond borders (O1).
In Chapter 2, operational aspects of internationalization are clarified as a process involving motivations and resources of various kinds depending on the type of organization (O2).
Chapter 3 examines the conditions, restrictions, and costs of accessing foreign markets, influenced by global agreements and tariff regimes (O3).
Chapter 4 discusses practical aspects related to exporting: typology, agent/distributor selection, documentary requirements, quotations/Incoterms (O4).
In Chapter 5, finally, students are made aware of the dynamism of international markets and the need for rapid adaptation of business operation modes to remain competitive in them (O5).
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
The teaching methodology for this course will be based on the following approaches:
1. Expository Method: The instructor will provide theoretical and conceptual frameworks for the pedagogical content based on bibliographic references and prior knowledge acquired by students in preceding curriculum units within the study program.
2. Demonstrative Method: The instructor will use relevant cases to demonstrate best practices and real-world examples.
3. Active Method: Students will actively participate by conducting research (individual and group projects) during class sessions.
Regarding continuous assessment, it will consist of a written test (40%) and assignments (60%).
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
The mixed methodology adopted is suitable for achieving the general and specific learning objectives as it promotes the discussion of real-world business cases related to international trade processes and procedures. This approach serves as a cornerstone for empowering students to manage internationalization processes at the operational and tactical levels.
Understanding the conditions for accessing various global markets, considering not only strictly commercial aspects but also economic, technological, socio-cultural, political, legal, and environmental factors, will be facilitated through research work on a selected country. This group project will encompass the analysis of contextual and transactional factors, as well as the formalities involved in exports, including customs tariffs and sanitary and phytosanitary rules.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
AICEP Portugal Global/Audax (2013). Horizonte Internacionalizar: Guia para PME.
Confederação Nacional da Indústria (2017). Manual sobre barreiras comerciais e aos investimentos. Brasília: CNI.
Comissão Europeia (2019). Exporting from the EU - what you need to know. Em linha: https://madb.europa.eu/madb/indexPubli.htm.
Czinkota, M., Ronkainen, I., Moffet, M., Marinova, S. e Marinov, M. (2009). International Business. Chichester, Jonh Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Organização Mundial do Comércio (2019). Technical barriers to trade. Em linha: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm.
Sherlock, Jim e Reuvid, Jonathan (2008). The Handbook of International Trade: A guide to the Principles and Practice of Export. London, GMB Publishing Ltd.
The World Bank (2020). Doing Business 2020: comparing business regulation in 190 economies. Washington, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.
