Management (MGM)

Lecturer: MILES DODD

Miles Dodd is a visiting professor at Nihon University Graduate School of Business, Tokyo and OMRON Fellow at Doshisha University, Kyoto. He is British, and has a law degree from Oxford University. For ten years he was responsible for INSEAD's business in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. He has lived abroad for many years including 28 years in Japan, 4 in Hong Kong, and two in Singapore. He has travelled extensively, especially in Asia and also has experience in South America, West Africa.

Syllabus

a) " What is a company?" 13th December 1030-1200. We will examine why the company has played such an important part in the history of commercial activity. We will look at various kinds of companies, how they work, how they may be controlled, and the advantages and disadvantages they reveal. We will consider the role and responsibilities of shareholders, the management board, and investors.

Optional reading: "The Company: A short history of a revolutionary idea" by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge Publ 2003 Weidenfeld & Nicholson.

b) "International Business" 13th December 1530-1700. We will consider many aspects of modern international business; how it has evolved; how multi-national companies have become so powerful, and their role in the 'globalisation' phenomenon. We will look at the way in which various companies staff their international activities, and the cultural and personal challenges of expatriate management.

Reading: Case Study "Eurochem Shanghai "Miles Dodd, INSEAD

c) "Entrepreneurship" 15th December 1030-1200. Behind the excitement and exhilaration of the successful entrepreneur lie many qualities; courage, persistence, good judgement, and a willingness to take risks. Is an entrepreneur born, or can entrepreneurial success be taught? This session will discuss the experience of a number of entrepreneurs, mainly in Asia, and consider the contributions they have made to their economies. We will especially consider the question of managing the growth of a successful 'one-man' entrepreneurial company into a large organisation employing several hundred people or more.

(i) Reading: Case study "QB House - '10 Minutes - Just Cut'" Miles Dodd

(ii) Optional reading: Innovations in Entrepreneur Development, July 2004 APEC#204-HR-01.1 ISBN 981-05-1185-X 162pp Price: S$30/US$20 (Limited Stock) E-mail jt@apec.org or phone APEC Secretariat (65) 6775-6012 to purchase

d) "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR) 15th December 1530-1700. The concept of CSR is relatively new - some say that it is the latest management 'fad'. However the issues are much more important than mere management tactics or business theory. CSR considers the responsibilities of many industries to their employees, to their customers, their suppliers, but above all to the society in which they are active. BP producing gas in Vietnam; Adidas making shoes in Indonesia; Shell refining oil in Singapore; BHP Billiton mining coal in Australia; IKEA ordering goods in China. We refer to the people and organisations affected by such activity as 'stakeholders'. This session will examine the main issues involved in CSR.

Reading: "The Challenge of Constructive Engagement" Sir Geoffrey Chandler, Chairman Amnesty International Business Group, ex-Director Shell Petroleum published in "Invitation to a Dialogue: Corporate Social Responsibility" published by Norsk Hydro, Oslo, Norway.

2. Assessment 17th December 1030-1130. This will take the form of a presentation to be made by each student. Students will be assessed on the clarity and style of the presentation as well as the content. The presentation should last for 10 minutes, and there will be 5 minutes for questions. You may choose any one of the following topics:-

A. Do you think a company should be allowed to make unlimited profits or should there be a limit? Explain the reasons for your decision.

B. Tell the story of a successful entrepreneur, in Singapore or elsewhere, and explain why his or her company has been successful.

C. Describe the activities of any large multi-national company that you know and that you would like to work for in future, explaining why.

D. BP is developing gas production in Tangguh, Irian Jaya. What are the problems this project faces in view of its location and environment?

E. How do you think Mr Olsen should solve the problem he faces in "Eurochem Shanghai"?