RYERSON UNIVERSITY TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT GMS690 The North American Business Environment Winter 2012

Professor: Office: Telephone: Fax: e-Mail Michael Manjuris Floor 7, TRS 1-060 416-979-5000, ext. 7083 416-979-5266
manjuris@ryerson.ca

PREREQUISITES: GMS200 or direct entry SUGGESTED PREREQUISITES In order to provide the best learning experience for students it is suggested they complete the first 4 semesters of their business program before entering this course.
METHODS OF POSTING GRADES Grades posted on RAMSS E-MAIL USAGE & LIMITS Communications with Professor provided in-class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides as overview of the North American business environment. It examines the cultural, political and economic environments in Canada, the USA and Mexico. Trade and the degree of economic integration are discussed, including an assessment of NAFTA. The key institutions that impact trade and economic activities will also be examined. Current and controversial issues (such as the Keystone Pipeline project and other natural resources policies) will be discussed and their impact on the NA business environment analyzed. The foreign market entry strategies of multinational corporations active in this region will also be discussed. COURSE OBJECTIVES: The course objectives are that students will be able to: To provide the student with an overview of the North American business climate To fully understand the historical integration of economies in North America Apply the knowledge learned in the various functional areas of global business studies on a holistic basis to a North American setting. challenge their knowledge of International competition and entry strategies. Understand the impact of NAFTA on gaining access to competitive factors of production enhance and expand their knowledge of the inherent complexities of doing business in North America use close communication and cooperation in group work in order to perform relevant business analysis and quality decision-making for businesses competing in the North America arena. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: There is no textbook required for this course. EXTERNAL READINGS: In order to develop an appreciation of the international environment, the student is expected to read the Economist, The Globe&Mail, BBC World Report, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times London, The International, Bloomberg.com, and other readily available business publications focused on North American business issues.
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METHOD OF INSTUCTION: In compliance with the objectives, various teaching methods will be used. These may include lectures, case studies, individual or group presentations, documentary videos and handouts. Continuous interaction and classroom discussion is considered very important to this course and they will be emphasized. In addition, Guest Lecturers from the business community will be used to augment the learning process. Students are expected to attend classes fully prepared to discuss assigned readings. It absent, the students are still accountable for all material, changes and announcements covered in class. ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments must be handed-in fully typed,12-point font, permanently bound, and double-spaced. Assignments will be graded based on content, and communicative effectiveness. In order to receive a grade, papers must be properly footnoted, and documented to show how the content is supported. All papers must follow proper research format. Students must have their name and signature on each assignment in order to receive full credit. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for that component of the course. SPECIAL NOTE: EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO MANAGE THE COURSE AS PROVIDED IN THIS COURSE OUTLINE. HOWEVER, ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROFESSOR AND ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS. IT IS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO BECOME AWARE OF ANY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN CLASS. TOTAL EVALUATION : Students are endowed with different gifts and abilities. The marking scheme is intended to provide opportunities to gain marks in different areas of performance to give all students an opportunity to achieve recognition for what they do best. Quiz 1 Quiz 2 Mid-term Examination Current Issues Presentation Final Project Assignment Total 15 15 30 10 30 100

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OUTLINE OF WEEKLY TOPICS AND CLASS LECTURES WEEK of TOPIC Jan 11 Course Introduction North American Geography Jan 18 Free Trade Theory NAFTA and the experience of businesses Honda, Fleck International, Murray Brothers Lumber Inc. Protectionism: Buy American, Marketing Boards, Cultural Industries Jan 25 CANADA Geography and History Government structure and policies Political risks Current Issues Presentations Feb 1 CANADA contd Economic performance past, present and future Trade and trading partners Sovereign Debt Cultural Issues protection of water resource, Gateway Pipeline, Quebecs unique role Current Issues Presentations Feb 8 QUIZ 1 USA Geography and History Government structure and policies Political risks Feb 15 USA contd Economic performance past, present and future Trade and trading partners Public and Private Debt Issues and the subprime mortgage fiasco. Cultural Issues Homeland Security, need for natural resources, Keystone Pipeline, Upcoming Presidential Election Current Issues Presentations Feb 22 STUDY WEEK Feb 29 QUIZ 2 MEXICO Geography and History Government structure and policies Political risks Mar 7 MEXICO contd Economic performance past, present and future Trade and trading partners
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Mar 14 Mar 21

April 4

April 11

Cultural Issues Relations to the USA, Approach to work, Government Corruption, Maquiladoras, Drug Trade murder rate and illegal immigrants to the USA, security in Tourism. Current Issues Presentations RESEARCH WEEK Developing Final Project Assignment No Formal Lecture. MIDTERM EXAM Cultural Analysis framework: Using Hofstedes ranking to compare all three countries Corporate Social Responsibility Defining what it is Americas Sarbanes Oxley legislation and its far reaching implications Applying theory to BP oil spill, Gateway Pipeline project, Mexico Free trade zones, Canadas Nortel executives Current Issues Presentations Course Wrapup FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNMENT DUE

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POLICIES & COURSE PRACTICES Course Management Every effort will be made to conduct the course as stated. However, adjustments may be necessary at the discretion of the instructor. If so, students will be advised and alterations discussed in class prior to implementation. STUDENTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ANNOUNCED CHANGES MADE IN CLASS. Maintaining a Professional Learning Environment Laptop computers, cell phones, or other devices should not be used for non-classroom activities as they are distracting to other students, speakers and your instructor. Misuse of these devices may result in the student being asked to leave the classroom by the Instructor. In order to eliminate disruption to the learning environment, students are expected to attend the class ontime. Students will not be allowed to enter the classroom 30 minutes after the start of class. The next available time to enter will be during the mid-class break. Departmental/University Policies and Course Practices: Students should be reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant University policies, such as the Student Code of Academic Conduct. To view: http://www.ryerson.ca/~acadpol/policies.html Academic Integrity Students are required to adhere to all relevant University policies, such as the Student Code of Academic Conduct. University regulations concerning unacceptable academic conduct (cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, etc.) will be followed. See the Ryerson University calendar or online versions at http://www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol60.pdf and http://www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol61.pdf and http://www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/studentrights.pdf for more explanation. Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and penalties range from zero in an assignment all the way to expulsion from the university. Students should review the guidelines regarding academic misconduct - visit the Academic Integrity website for more information http://www.ryerson.ca/academicintegrity/ . They should ensure that they understand the conventions for referencing sources, in footnotes and bibliographies. In addition to citing quotations from all sources, whether from written materials, interviews or electronic networks, students must credit with footnotes or in-text references all facts and ideas that are not their own, EVEN IF THEY ARE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. If you do not, it is considered plagiarism. In any academic exercise, plagiarism occurs when one offers as ones own work the words, data, ideas, arguments, calculations, designs or productions of another without appropriate attribution or when one allows ones work to be copied. (See the Ryerson Library for APA style guide references: http://www.ryerson.ca/library/ref/style.html) It is assumed that all examinations and work submitted for evaluation and course credit will be the product of individual effort, except in the case of team projects arranged for and approved by the course instructor. Submitting the same work to more than one course, without instructors approval, is also considered plagiarism. Students who have committed academic misconduct will, at a minimum receive a 0 on the work, and an instructor may assign an F in the course. The Academic Integrity Seminar may also be assigned. Students will have the notation Disciplinary Notice (DN) placed on their academic record and official transcript. The notation shall remain until the students graduate, or for eight (8) years, whichever comes first. If you receive this in the first half of your program, you may undergo a petition process to have it removed in your last year. Students who commit academic misconduct a second time shall be placed on Disciplinary Suspension (DS) for up to two years, at which time they may apply for reinstatement to a program. The designation DS shall be placed on their permanent academic record and official transcript. The notation shall remain until students graduate, or for eight (8) years, whichever comes first.
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Disciplinary Withdrawn standing (DW) shall be permanently noted on students academic records and official transcripts. Expulsions shall be permanently noted on students academic records and official transcripts. NOTE: Students may not drop a course when they have been notified of the suspicion of academic misconduct. If a student attempts to drop the course, the Registrars office will re-register the student in that course until a decision is reached. When an instructor has reason to suspect that an individual piece of work has been plagiarized, the instructor shall be permitted to submit that work to any plagiarism detection service. CHEATING ON AN EXAM OR TEST: Ryersons Examination Policy requires that all students have a valid student identification card or other photo identification on their desk at all times when taking an examination. If it is suspected that someone is impersonating a student, the photo identification of that person will be checked, and the person will be asked to sign the exam paper for further verification. If it is suspected that the identification is not valid, students may be asked to provide alternate photo identification. Security may be called, if circumstances warrant. E-Mail Accounts Students are required to activate and maintain a Ryerson Matrix e-mail account. This shall be the official means by which you will receive university communications. See www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol157.pdf Accommodation of Students with Disabilities In order to facilitate the academic success and access of students with disabilities, these students should register with the Access Centre http://www.ryerson.ca/accesscentre/index.html . They should also inform their instructor through an Accommodation Form for Professors that they are registered with the Access Centre and what accommodations are required. Student Responsibilities in Academic Appeals Students should read the Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals policy at (www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol134.pdf) It is the students responsibility to notify and consult with either the instructor, or the Chair/Director of the teaching department/school, depending on the situation, as soon as circumstances arise that are likely to affect academic performance. It is also the students responsibility to attempt to resolve all course related issues with the instructor and then, if necessary, with the Chair/Director of the teaching department/school as soon as they arise. An appeal may be filed only if the issue cannot be resolved appropriately. Failure to deal with a situation as soon as it arises will jeopardize any appeal. Students who believe that an assignment, test, or exam has not been appropriately graded must review their concerns with their instructor within 10 working days of the date when the graded work is returned to the class. Standard for Written Work Students are expected to use an acceptable standard of business communication for all assignments. You are encouraged to obtain assistance from the Writing Centre (http://www.ryerson.ca/writing-centre) for help with your written communications as needed. (See the Ryerson Library for APA style guide references: http://www.ryerson.ca/library/ref/style.html)

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Late Assignments Students must submit assignments on time. Failure to do so will result in a grade penalty up to and including a zero grade for the late assignment. All assignments submitted for grading will be handed back within three weeks. You need to inform your instructor of any situation which arises during the semester which has an adverse effect on your academic performance and you must request any necessary considerations or accommodations. A doctors certificate is required to substantiate illness and should be submitted within 3 working days of a missed exam. See http://www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/Other.html/medical.pdf for the required certificate. Religious Observance requests are to be made formally within the first two weeks of class (see www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol150.pdf) Other valid reasons must be approved by the instructor in advance. Academic Grading Policy Evaluation of student performance will follow established academic grading policy outlined in the Ryerson GPA Policy http://www.ryerson.ca/acadcouncil/current/pol46.pdf. The grading system is summarized below: Definition Letter Grade A+ Excellent A AB+ Good B BC+ Satisfactory C CD+ Marginal D DUnsatisfactory F Grade Point 4.33 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 1.33 1.00 0.67 0.00 Conversion Range 90-100 85-89 80-84 77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 57-59 53-56 50-52 0-49

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