Page 98 - Business Studies 11-12 (2006)

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS, GRADE 12, UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE PREPARATION (BBB4M) 97
Working in International Markets
Overall Expectations
By the end of this course, students will:
• analyse the ways in which ethical considerations affect international business decisions;
• assess the working environment in international markets;
• demonstrate an understanding of the process for crossing international borders as it relates to international business.
Specific Expectations
Ethical Issues
By the end of this course, students will:
– assess ways in which multinational enter- prises have both positive and negative effects on the countries in which they operate, including the impact on the norms and practices of local and indige- nous cultures (e.g., effects of the informa- tion and communication technology industry in India; effects of food, drug, and resource-extraction companies in Africa);
– evaluate the ethical issues that arise for companies competing internationally, in relation to the following groups: consumers (e.g., safety, fair pricing, disclosure); stock- holders (e.g., fair return, controlled risk); employees (e.g., fair wages, good working conditions, outsourcing, regulation of child labour); the host country (e.g., effects on local economy, respect for local laws and cultural preservation); and society (e.g., sustainability of development, practices to combat corruption);
– analyse the ways in which international development agencies (e.g., United Nations organizations, Word Health Organization) and non-governmental organizations (e.g., Greenpeace,World Safety Organization) promote economic progress in developing countries;
– compare Canada with other countries with respect to cultural theories (e.g., Porter’s diamond theory, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory) and viewpoints (e.g., ethical imperialism, cultural relativism),
as they relate to ethics in international business.
Working Conditions in International Markets
By the end of this course, students will:
– describe working conditions (e.g., with respect to gender roles, business customs and practices, means of communication, structure of the work day) in various international markets;
– analyse differences across cultures in per- ceptions, interpretations, and attitudes (e.g., in relation to gender, hierarchical structure, communication, actions, events) that might affect how individuals work in another country;
– compare management and negotiation strategies in other countries with those in Canada (e.g., conflict resolution, media- tion, collective bargaining, strike action).
Border Issues
By the end of this course, students will:
– explain the role of the Canada Border Services Agency (e.g., facilitating legiti- mate cross-border traffic, supporting eco- nomic development);