MBA Online

Advanced Seminar I, II and III (E-Business Thesis Work)
The E-Biz program at IUJ gives lots of flexibility to the students in completing their thesis work, which is a requirement for graduation in the E-Biz program. Once students get familiar with the program, they will be asked to elect a thesis supervisor. Selecting the thesis topic is one of the most important things in the thesis project. It is expected that students will keep their career objectives in mind when electing a thesis topic, and supervising professor. Though students normally elect professors of E-Biz program as their supervisors, depending upon the career objective, technically they can elect any professor in GSIM as a supervisor.

Thesis work extending over the three terms, including summer time, allows students to do a project that would use their learning at E-Biz and get close cooperation from the supervising professor. A thesis project can produce, for example, a new business plan, a new business idea, a completely new technology, a strategic plan involving technologies, or a comprehensive industry analysis, or competitive strategy. The facilities available to the students, including unlimited access to E-Lab, and the close association with professors at both EBM and MBA program, including the industry experts, give a unique opportunity to produce a truly remarkable piece of work that would help in securing a very successful career after graduation. The three term thesis work accounts for 6 credit hours.

Principles of Management

In today’s environment, organizations are faced with high levels of international competition. They are looking for competent managers who show both the analytic skills and the interpersonal skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage a diverse work force in complex environments. The purpose of this course is to assist you in acquiring such skills and knowledge by providing you with the framework and tools needed to manage, analyze, and lead the organization of the future. In this course, we will focus on “human behavior and management in organizations”, which is one of the key elements to understanding organizational management. The course applies knowledge from the study of organizational behavior to examination of some of the futures that are supposed to characterize the emerging “new” organizational form.

e-Marketing

Today, more than one third of the world’s population owns a mobile phone, most of which are capable of accessing advanced data services. And as the mobile platform converges with other communications media including the PC Internet and Fixed Line telephony, we are entering a world in which consumers are always connected, and growing more advanced in their technical capabilities and more demanding in their expectations of those companies whose products and services they choose to consume. This course begins by first introducing students to the current state and future trends related to information communication technologies and the many marketing challenges that such advancements bring. Through explorations of best practices in Japan and in other regions of the world, students will gain a first-hand understanding of the skills necessary to capitalize on these trends, rather to fall victim to them. Finally, in partnership with senior executives of actual companies facing challenges in this area, students will develop strategic marketing plans that integrate the concepts presented in class, gaining the individual capability to analyze, develop and implement marketing strategies that will enable these organizations to truly thrive in today’s hyper connected world.

Foundations of Web Technologies

The Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) technologies are evolving fast. The knowledge of cutting edge technologies and how they are used for Web based e-business applications are “must have” skills not only for e-business systems developers but for all other e-business professionals. Organizations aim to “seamlessly” integrate WWW and the Internet into their business operations. This course provides a practical understanding of the breadth of the most widely used professional web technologies such as networking and Internet fundamentals, browser side programming (i.e. scripting) and server side programming (i.e. interactive dynamic web development using databases). Students will also learn the skills to match technologies with typical e-business operations.

Business Communications
The Communications course is designed to promote the skills and strategies that are necessary for MBA and E-business students to communicate effectively in business management roles. In this class, we will examine and practice case analysis, presentation skills, and critical writing through a variety of written and videotaped assignments. Students will be expected to critically analyze cases selected from the text and effectively apply the communication skills covered in the class to resolve conflicts. Throughout the class, students will receive feedback from the professor, peers, and self-analysis in an effort to focus attention on ways to improve individual communication. Strategic topics include overcoming barriers to communication, channel choice, audience analysis, business ethics, crisis management, giving and receiving feedback, and communicating leadership.

International Business Law

This course is intended to introduce the students to fundamental principles and concepts of law related to international business. Students will study the legal reasoning process, business organizational forms (e.g., sole proprientorships, joint venture, corprations), international treaties governing business operations, contracts, issues of contractual and tort liability, the international context, and techniques used in drafting contracts used in international business operations.

Negotiations

Due to the rapid change within today�fs global business environment, business leaders at every level, and in every industry must balance various working styles, build efficient management teams, and develop sharp negotiation skills to remain competitive. This course will help students to understand best practices in business negotiations as well as how to effectively resolve conflicts in everyday business situations. A business negotiation may be sometimes the formal affair that takes place across the proverbial bargaining table, in which a business people argue and discuss a wide variety of issues for either individual or mutual gain. Alternatively, such negotiations may be much less formal, such as a meeting between a business person and several fellow employees whose collaboration is need to get a job done. Through this Negotiation class, students will gain the fundamental management skills required to succeed in their future work environment as a business leader. Students will gain such skills through case studies, short cases and role playing.

Critical Thinking

This course is designed for students who want to learn basic frameworks and methods for logical thinking and communication, which are indispensable in business. Students will learn how to structure their arguments in a logical way and how to break down problems and consider cause and effect, etc. Students use their skills to understand and analyze complicated events in business through the use of a case study.

Strategic Environmental Management

We have warmer winters in recent years. We see more catastrophic events in many parts of the world. The scientists demonstrate better evidence indicating the link between our economic activities and the environmental degradation. We are beginning to realize that the environmental issues are no longer negligible in business operations. Negligence of the issues may result in serious economic loss for a company. On the other hand, many companies have begun to recognize environmental management as a way forward to generate economic opportunities. Toyota made a major investment to produce hybrid cars. The hybrid cars have been sold well in the international market. DuPont initiated research and development efforts in producing alternative chemical to the ozone-depleting CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) in the late 1980s. When the company successfully developed alternative chemical, it changed its strategic position on the international regulation to ban CFCs. This course introduces concepts and practices of strategic environmental management. To begin with, we will review different theoretical approaches in strategic environmental management. Through the review, you will be able to build their conceptual foundation on this subject. We will use case studies throughout the course to help you understand environmental management in practice and to explore the linkages between concept and practice.

Strategic Entrepreneurial Growth

International Business Management focuses on the strategic management of firms engaged The course explores the opportunities and challenges that are involved with entrepreneurial growth. It will provide students with a series of concepts, frameworks, and tools that can be used to manage starting and growing an entrepreneurial business and to anticipate and deal with the challenges that accompany those entrepreneurial activities. Topics include identifying opportunities, assembling resources, preparing the organization for growth, and formulating growth strategies. In this process, the course examines the various growth issues confronting new ventures over their life cycle as well as the challenges faced by rapidly growing companies such as managing expansion with limited resources, delegating responsibilities, creating a shared vision, establishing an effective organizational culture, and professionalizing the business, while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility. This course is particularly useful to students who are interested in starting and growing their own businesses, those who want to manage growth in existing companies by crafting strategies based on opportunities, and those who intend to consult to growing new ventures.