The Lee Kong Chian School of Business Academic Year 2013/14 Term 2

MGMT301: BUSINESS STUDY MISSION TO TAIWAN

: Dr. Patrick Loh : Adjunct Professor of Strategy & Organisation : +65 6828-0827 : Patrickloh@smu.edu.sg : LKCSB #0581

Instructor Name Title Tel Email Office

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This business study mission is designed to help students develop an in-depth understanding and analysis of the manufacturing & industrial transformation, including the area of lifestyle and Agri-Biotechnology in Southern Taiwan. The course will enable students to gain exposure to the competitive landscape of the industry, and better understand the primary drivers of the industries. Throughout the course, focus would be also placed on the trends and outlook for the industry, in view of the increasing demand for lifestyle as well as the manufacturing and industrial sector. Students will gain insights into the strategic priorities and business management models of the industry through an entrepreneurial lens, via visits to established Taiwanese Corporations and interactions with company executives. On a broader level, an analysis of economic, social and political issues would enable participants to gain regional awareness and exposure to the commercial development in Taiwan as a whole. BSM Taiwan would be a Pass/Fail course with effect from AY13/14 Term 1.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, students will be able to: Describe the entrepreneurial spirit and understand the business management models of the manufacturing & industrial sector, including the lifestyle and Agri-Biotechnology sector Identify internship, career and business development opportunities in Taiwan and Asia; Discuss the Taiwanese economy with respect to its culture, history, political system and the ways of doing business; and Network and engage effectively with business leaders from Singapore and Taiwan

Please refer to the Course Catalogue on OASIS for the most updated list of pre-requisites/ co-requisites for this course. Do note that if this course has a co-requisite, it means that the course has to be taken together with another course. Dropping one course during BOSS bidding would result in both courses being dropped at the same time.

PRE-REQUISITE/ CO-REQUISITE/ MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE COURSE (S)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Final marks will be awarded on the following basis: Class Attendance, Participation and Contribution Individual research paper Pre-trip Group Project Presentation Final Group Project Report & Presentation

- 20% - 25% - 15% - 40%

Participants will also be evaluated individually. You will be assessed based on attendance, participation, contribution to learning discussions and your preparedness in Singapore and during the BSM (20%). You are also expected to write an Individual Research Paper on Taiwan. Your instructor will provide you with more information about the Group Project and Individual Research Paper in class. Class participation is assessed according to the following criteria: Level F D range Criteria B range A range Absent without reason. Disruptive in class. Present, not disruptive. Tries to respond when called on but does not offer much. Demonstrates very infrequent involvement in discussion. Demonstrates adequate preparation: knows basic case or reading facts, but does not show evidence of trying to interpret or analyze them. Offers straightforward information (e.g., straight from the case or reading), without elaboration or very infrequently (perhaps once a class). Does not offer to contribute to discussion, but contributes to a moderate degree when called on. Demonstrates sporadic involvement. Demonstrates good preparation: knows case or reading facts well, has thought through implications of them. Offers interpretations and analysis of case material (more than just facts) to class. Contributes well to discussion in an ongoing way: responds to other students' points, thinks through own points, questions others in a constructive way, offers and supports suggestions that may be counter to the majority opinion. Demonstrates consistent ongoing involvement. Demonstrates excellent preparation: has analyzed case exceptionally well, relating it to readings and other material (e.g., readings, course material, discussions, experiences, etc.). Offers analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of case material, e.g., puts together pieces of the discussion to develop new approaches that take the class further. Contributes in a very significant way to ongoing discussion: keeps analysis focused, responds very thoughtfully to other students' comments, contributes to the cooperative argumentbuilding, suggests alternative ways of approaching material and helps class analyze which approaches are appropriate, etc. Demonstrates ongoing very active involvement.

C range

There will be no final examination for this course. Note: Marks amongst individual members in group projects may differ as a confidential peer evaluation system will be conducted. This is to minimize the chance of free-riding in the group projects. Each participant in a group will assess his/her team-mates efforts/contribution. The assessments will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be divulged to any team member.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All acts of academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of exam questions, or tampering with the academic work of other students) are serious offences.

All work presented in class must be the students own work. Any student caught violating this policy may result in the student receiving zero marks for the component assessment or a fail grade for the course. This policy applies to all works (whether oral or written) submitted for purposes of assessment. Where in doubt, students are encouraged to consult the instructors of the course. Details on the SMU Code of Academic Integrity may be accessed at http://www.smuscd.org/resources.html.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND EXPECTATIONS

This course qualifies for one course unit and encompasses preparatory seminars in Singapore, culminating into a Business Study Mission (BSM) at the end of the term. The departure date for the BSM is scheduled on Sunday 4th May to Saturday 10th May 2014. Specifically, the course consists of two components: Seminar Sessions on SMU campus throughout Term 2, Year 2013-2014 A 7 days Business Study Mission in May 2014

The preparatory seminars in Singapore will be devoted to research and discussion of Taiwans industry integrating the economic, political, legal, social, cultural and general business issues, particularly those issues pertaining to the region/places of the BSM destination. Entrepreneurs and business executives with rich experience in working or doing businesses in the manufacturing & industrial sector, including the lifestyle and Agri-Biotechnology area, will be invited to speak at seminars prior to the trip. All classes including guest-speaker sessions and the BSM are compulsory. Failure to undertake the BSM or attend all classes and site visits during the BSM will result in failing the course.

Participants will work in groups of about 4-5 people on an applied research project. Each group will be required to research in an area/topic of study pertaining to the latest economic and business development in Taiwan. Before the trip, each project team will be required to make a presentation of their preliminary research findings. With feedback from the class and the instructor, the project teams will make necessary amendments to their research study. During the BSM, the project teams should endeavor to collect information to complete their project study. The project reports should be submitted within ONE WEEK after return from the trip. Each group will do a Final Presentation of their major research project at the end of the Field Trip. Your instructor will inform you the date of presentation before the trip.

GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT AND PRESENTATION

Apart from the group-based research projects, each student is required to conduct an independent study and write up a study paper in no more than 2,000 words. For the individual study paper, students may either choose a topic pertaining to the contemporary Taiwans economic, political, legal, social and cultural aspects relating to the topic of manufacturing & industrial transformation, including lifestyle and Agri Biotechnology. They may also choose a topic related to their group project and do a further investigation and analysis of certain aspects/issues. The primary objective of this individual assignment is to help prepare students for the learning mission and also develop their understanding of their visit destination. The individual paper is to be completed and submitted by the end of Week 9.

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PAPER

CLASS SCHEDULE
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6

Tentatively, the sessions are as follows: Overview of Business Environment in Taiwan Selection of Participants Briefing & Assignment of projects BSM Seminars BSM Project Consultation BSM Pre-Trip Group Presentations BSM Final Group Project Presentations Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 7 & 9 Week 8-9 Week 10 During the trip

Pending the responses from the overseas corporations and agencies, the BSM Itinerary will be confirmed by Week 4 of the Term. Students will be expected to formalize their group project/individual research ideas as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for research and independent study. Attendance for all the classes scheduled is compulsory. Failure to undertake the BSM will result in a fail grade.

SUGGESTED TEXTS

There are no prescribed texts for this course. The references listed below are some interesting books. You may have to refer to some of these texts in your individual and group projects. Kathleen R. Allen. New Venture Creation 6th Edition, International Edition, South-Western CENGAGE Learning Kotler, Bowen, Makens. Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism, International Edition 5/e: Pearson Holloway, Davidson, Humphreys. The Business of Tourism, 8/e: Pearsons Page. Leisure: An Introduction, 1/e: Pearsons Achua Lussier. Effective leadership 5th Edition, International Edition, South-Western CENGAGE Learning Donald F. Kuratko, Michael H. Morris, Jeffrey G. Covin. Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship 3rd Edition, International Edition, South-Western CENGAGA Learning Gail P. Hiduke, J.D. Ryan. Small Business: An Entrepreneurs Business Plan 9th Edition, International Edition, SouthWestern CENGAGE Learning Additional readings will be recommended by the instructor upon commencement of class