International performance Management

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Didier Van Caillie

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course emphasizes the specificities of strategy and performance management in international firms, either in their structure (multinational companies MNCs) or in their activities (highly exporting firms and highly culturally-diversified firms).
It combines a theoretical phase and a practical one based on the in-depth study of a real case, supported by an international consulting firm :

• In the theoretical phase, different paradoxes linked to the elaboration of the strategy in an international context, to its content (business level strategy, corporate level strategy, network level strategy) and to its implementation are considered, notably based on the discussion of fundamental scientific papers linked to each of these paradoxes and published in high-ranked peer-reviewed journals.
• In the practical phase, a real case of a firm largely international both in its activities and in its governance is submitted to a critical analysis by the students, who are asked to diagnose the fundamental performance problems present in the firm, to identify their root causes and to suggest operational improvement recommandations based on an in-depth analysis of risks and controls present in some key business processes.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Strategy : establish a strategy in order to optimize the Global Value Chain of an international firm * based on an analysis of its economic and financial context * based on its scientific and technological context * based on a critical and scientific mind
Implementation : undertstand the implementation process of the strategy and the daily management of an international firm
* by paying attention to its scientific, technological and entrepreneurial dimensions * by paying attention to the specificities of its environment, notably its digital aspects and constraints * by developing a critical attitude and thinking when considering its managerial practices
Control : implement performance and quality control in an international firm based on an in-depth causal analysis and on the choice of adequate analytical tools.
Communication : communicate effectviely about an international firm, externally
* in English * by taking into account the specificities of a multicultural and international environment
Adaptability : adapt its managerial practices to the needs of an internationally continuously evolving environment,based on creativity and scientific accuracy on the one hand, autonomy and continuous critical perspective on the other hand

 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The fundamentals of Strategy must be acquired

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoretical part (3 sessions) :

• Synthetic presentation of a chapter from the reference book and of a scientific paper linked to the theme developed in the chapter
• Instant critical analysis and discussion of the presentation made by an other group of students

• Integration of the key principles linked to risk modeling and process controls
• General understanding of the strategic and operational context of a real highly-international firm
• General understanding of operational processes implemented daily in this firm
• Analysis of the risks and weaknesses of these operational processes and proposal of recommandations adapted to the highly-international and multi-cultural context of this firm
• Defence of these proposals in front of a panel of international consultants

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Presentations made by groups of 3 students as a maximum for the 3 first sessions.
Work in groups with the support of a group of international consultants for the general understanding and the analysis of the real case (3 sessions as a minimum, presence is COMPULSORY and absence may lead to the exclusion out ot the course).
Work in group alone to prepare the original recommandations and their defence (2 sessions)

Recommended or required readings

De Wit B., Meyer R. (2014) : Strategy : An international perspective, Cengage Learning EMEA; Édition : 5th Revised edition

Assessment methods and criteria

- Synthesis of a chapter from the reference book : Group - 20 points
- Presentation of a scientific paper linked to a chapter from the reference book : Group - 10 points
- Instant critical analysis of a presentation made by an other group - Individual - 5 points
- Presentation and defence of recommandations in front of a panel of international consultants : Group & Individual - 40 points (50/50)
- Oral discussion at the end of the course : Individual - 25 points
Individual evaluation : 62 %

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Start of the course on Thursday, Ferbruary 8, 2018 at 9.30 in Room 034, Building N1, HEC Liège

Contacts

Teacher :
Prof. D. Van Caillie : d.vancaillie@ulg.ac.be