International Business

In today’s globalized world, enterprises large and small seek employees who have the ability to perform in multicultural situations and contrasting business environments.

The International Business Specialization (IBUS) equips students to succeed in cross-border work environments with electives that instruct on management across cultures, international marketing and global contexts. The curriculum qualifies students to assess impact by global region on management functions in a range of industries.

Students with an interest in international business may also wish to pursue the Certificate in International Management. See Study Options.
Professor Farrokh Zandi, Specialization Director

Specialization Details by Category

Study Options

Students with an interest in international business may wish to pursue the Certificate in International Management.

A unique advantage for BBA/iBBA students, the Schulich Certificate in International Management (CIM) is designed to give graduates in all concentrations a competitive advantage in seeking job opportunities focusing on international business, both at the entry level and later as top executives. The courses taken to graduate provide a grounding in all aspects of international management and seek to develop the
“global mindset” that is so important in today’s increasingly integrated world. Businesses (large and small) and governments are keen
to recruit graduates who take a global view. The Certificate in International Management (CIM) was formerly called the Certificate in
International Trade and Investment (CMITI).

CIM focuses on “real life” international business experience. In the capstone course, students make on-site visits to firms which are
heavily engaged in international business and interact with leading senior executives who discuss their international experiences.
The small group setting encourages students to talk with the executives about career opportunities.

Whereas concentrations are not recognized on transcripts, CIM is listed and students receive a separate diploma at the time of
graduation. CIM provides a deeper understanding of international management than the international business concentrations in
the BBA and iBBA programs.

Learn more about the CIM

Choose a study option to view its details and requirements

Available delivery options

Direct-Entry 48 to 60 months
Delayed-Entry 36-48 months

Location(s)

Schulich School of Business - Keele Campus

Graduation Requirements

The successful completion of 120.00 credits of university-level study, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00.
The completion of specific courses within the required 120.00 credits listed in the Curriculum Overview Charts section of the Undergraduate Academic Handbook.
Students with a cumulative GPA of 7.50 or above will be awarded their degree “with distinction” (this will appear on both the transcript and the degree parchment).
Fourth year BBA and iBBA students who have completed the required 120.00 credits to graduate from the program by the end of the Winter term of their 4th year of study will be required to convocate in the Spring. Courses taken in the summer following Year 4 will not be counted towards the degree requirements or used to calculate the overall GPA.

Courses

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Students specializing from Fall 2024

Requirements

To specialize in International Business, enrol in 12.00 credits of Elective Courses.

Elective Courses

IBUS 3200 3.00 MANAGING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
This course focuses on how to deal with the issues affecting the success of organizations operating internationally through exporting, importing, licensing or engaging in foreign direct investment. Role-playing, and development of an international business plan will be utilized in generating the skills and mind-set required for dealing with real-life international business situations.

Prerequisites/corequisites: Enrolment in the third or fourth year of the iBBA Program or enrolment in the third or fourth year of the BBA Program. BBA students must also take SB/ECON 3510 3.0 Applied International Economics either as a corequisite or as a prerequisite for this course. The course is required for the Schulich Certificate in International Management, but students do not have to enrol in the Certificate to take the course.
IBUS 4100 3.00 WORK PLACEMENT IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
IBUS 4200 3.00 INTEGRATIVE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINAR
This course is the capstone for the Certificate in International Management. By exposure to senior executives operating in international business, who will be presenting seminars, and by actual visits to actual businesses, students will be able to see how real-life situations are dealt with, and what skills and mind-set are required to be successful in international business.

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SB/IBUS 3200 3.00

Note: Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Certificate in International Management.
IBUS 4500 3.00 MANAGING BUSINESS IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
The course is designed to help students understand the opportunities and problems of managing business in developing economies. Through readings, cases and projects set in various geographical regions, students will learn how country- and organizational-level characteristics of various developing economies differentially influence market entry and related business functions in these economies. Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites: Third-year or fourth-year standing in the program.
MGMT 3030 3.00 CREATING GLOBAL CAPITALISM
This course examines the role of firms and entrepreneurs in the creation of the global economy over the past two centuries. Based on a historical perspective, the course addresses many contemporary issues related to globalization: the opportunities and problems of operating abroad, the role of governments in attracting and controlling foreign investment, the contribution of multinationals to growth and prosperity. Note: Open only to students in year 3 or year 4.
SUST 4300 3.00 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Previously offered as MGMT 4300 3.00

Provides an advanced understanding of CSR by taking a distinctly global focus through readings and case analysis. The global focus not only reflects the main themes and issues raised in CSR debates, but also enables the student to appreciate the topic from the perspective of various regional settings. The emphasis is on providing a conceptual understanding of why CSR has become so important and a basic overview of how corporations have responded to this challenge.

Prerequisites: BBA: SB/SUST 2060 3.00 (formerly SB/MGMT 2060 3.00 or SB/MGMT 2040 3.00 or SB/MGMT 1040 3.00)
Prerequisites: iBBA: SB/INTL 1400 3.00 (previously offered as SB/INTL 3400 1.50 and INTL 3500 3.00)
MKTG 4400 3.00 INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
This course satisfies two interrelated objectives: to improve the student's marketing decision-making ability through the solution of complex multinational marketing problems; and to increase the student's sensitivity to different cultural, socio-economic and legal environments encountered in the international marketplace. The course uses readings, cases and a group project.

Prerequisite: SB/MKTG 1030 3.00 (Previously offered as SB/MKTG 2030 3.00)

Electives Only Available to BBA Students

ECON 3510 3.00 APPLIED INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
Examines international economics from the viewpoint of the firm and the nation. International trade, foreign investment, tariffs, economic integration, the balance of payments, the foreign exchange market and the international system are among the topics studied. Note: Not open to iBBA students for credit.

Prerequisite: SB/ECON 2000 3.00.

Course Credit Exclusions: SB/INTL 2200 3.00, AP/ECON 3150 3.00, AP/ECON 3580 3.00, AP/ECON 4129 3.00, AP/ECON 4190 3.00, GL/ECON 4290 3.00.
IBUS 3100 3.00 GLOBAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
This course provides a broad coverage of the essential elements of international business. Topics covered include: international business patterns; cross-cultural systems affecting the conduct of international business; theories of international business; international financial institutions; multinational corporations; and functional management and operational concerns.

This course is not open to iBBA students.
ORGS 4400 3.00 MANAGING ACROSS CULTURES
This course extends the basic frameworks and theories of Organization Behaviour (OB) into the context of international business, using fundamental OB concepts, including mind-sets and identities, interests and power, organizational roles and design, to enable students to work more effectively in terms of teams, leadership, motivation, negotiation, ethics, and organizational learning in cross-border business.

Previously offered as: SB/OBIR 4400 3.00.

Note: Not open to iBBA students for credit.

Prerequisite: SB/ORGS 2200 3.00 (Previously offered as SB/ORGS 2010 3.00 or equivalent).

Faculty

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Schulich faculty teaching in this specialization have a wide range of foreign business and research experience. In addition, many have studied and taught at foreign universities or worked abroad in corporate international operations. Visiting professors from overseas also enrich course offerings.

Selected faculty members

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Career Opportunities

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Graduates of the International Business specialization follow career paths to Canadian and foreign corporations, banks and governments, and develop the management skills required to do business in an international environment. To enhance their employment possibilities, students are encouraged to combine other specializations with international business (e.g. international business with a marketing focus). Students interested in international business may wish to consider applying to participate in a Study Abroad academic exchange, as Canada’s Global Business School, Schulich has partnerships with many of the world’s leading management schools.

The Schulich Centre for Career Design

Your career is top priority at Schulich. To make career decisions that are right for you, the CCD will help you identify strengths, determine career objectives, develop career plans, hone skills for career management and put your professional development plan into action.

- Our highly experienced CCD Advisors bring a unique combination of first-hand knowledge, experience and diverse perspectives in a wide variety of businesses and industry sectors.

- Take advantage of a series of proven career-building modules, including up-to-date Job Search Techniques, Self-Assessment, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, and Interview Skills to help you stand out from the competition.

- Corporate Information Sessions offer you an opportunity to meet top level recruiters, alumni and executives.
Visit the Centre for Career Design

Student Clubs

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AIESEC York (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economique et Commerciales)

Present in 120+ countries/territories, and with over 86,000 members, AIESEC is the world’s largest student-run non-profit organization focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development. AIESEC offers global volunteer and internship opportunities, affording students the chance to become global citizens, effect change in the world, and to gain relevant experience and skills.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/aiesecyork

Open Arms Committee

The Schulich Open Arms Committee is a student-run organization whose purpose is to help incoming exchange and international students feel at home in Toronto. The committee plans events throughout the year to help students get to know each other and learn more about Canadian culture. Open Arms Committee also offers a buddy program that connects current Schulich undergraduates with incoming exchange students – fostering worldwide friendships and establishing global networks.

Email: bbaoac@schulich.yorku.ca