511613 - MANAGING INTERNATIONAL GROWTH

The course Managing International Growth explores the strategic, financial, organizational, and cultural dimensions of corporate expansion in global markets. Students will analyze how multinational and MSEs plan and manage growth through acquisitions, alliances, sustainable innovation, and stakeholder engagement. The course combines theoretical frameworks with practical cases, guest lectures, and team-based business planning projects.
The course addresses the strategic, financial, organizational, and cultural dimensions of international growth. Students will explore strategic options for multinational organizations, understanding how firms choose between organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships to scale globally. Topics such as valuation and financing of acquisitions, capital structure, and corporate governance in global contexts are examined through both theoretical frameworks and real-world examples.
A key focus is placed on working in multicultural environments—developing cross-cultural awareness, managing stereotypes, and fostering effective collaboration within international teams. This interpersonal dimension is complemented by the analysis of stakeholders and stakeholder salience, highlighting how firms balance competing interests while maintaining legitimacy and accountability in multiple institutional settings.
Financial and operational aspects are explored through modules on accounting and measurement in multinational corporations, risk management, and navigating complex regulatory and tax frameworks. Students will analyze how global companies ensure transparency and compliance while creating value across diverse jurisdictions.
The course also integrates emerging issues at the intersection of technology and sustainability. Sessions on AI for strategic decision-making and building value through sustainability show how digital transformation and responsible management practices can enhance both competitiveness and long-term resilience.
Throughout the program, students engage in applied learning through group work and the development of a business plan, applying knowledge of strategy, finance, governance, and sustainability to design a coherent international growth project. The course concludes with a capstone presentation, where teams present their business plans to peers and faculty, synthesizing insights gained from practical exercises, guest lectures (including from the life sciences and industrial products sectors), and case analyses.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed the analytical and managerial competencies required to lead international expansion, including the ability to assess macroeconomic scenarios, manage risk, align strategic and cultural fit, and integrate sustainability as a core dimension of value creation. Through this integrated approach, Managing International Growth equips future managers with the tools and mindsets necessary to navigate global complexity and to transform growth into a meaningful, measurable, and enduring achievement.