COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHEME OF STUDY FOR MBA (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS) PROGRAMME

FOURTH SEMESTER
Course
code
SMI 2401
SMI 2402
SMI 2403
SMI 2404

Paper

International Strategic Management

Environment Management
International Logistics Management
Independent Research Study ****
Elective 3
Elective 4
Comprehensive Viva-Voce with
external examiners
U/E - University/External Examination

C/E
C
C
C
C
E
E
C

Credits Internal U/E* Total

Marks Marks Marks
3
50
50
100
3
50
50
100
3
50
50
100
3
0
100
100
3
50
50
100
3
50
50
100
3
0
100
100

**** Each student should submit a Dissertation based on the research (the research study
need not be necessarily attached to an organisation) under the supervision of a
Teacher.
Note: All MBA (International Business) students are required to take at least two
electives from the list of electives under International Business.

SMI 2401 INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Objective:
The course aims at providing the theoretical frame work as well as application of Strategic
Management. Both theory and case studies are included in the curriculum.
Module I:
Strategic Management Introduction Strategic Management process mission and goals
SWOT Analysis scanning the environment STEP analysis Analysis of Internal
Strengths and Weaknesses competitive advantage Porters Five forces model.
Module II :
Formulation of Strategies Generic Strategies in the Corporate and S.B.U. Levels Cost
leadership, differentiation and focus Portfolio analysis.
Module III :
Strategy implementation evaluation and control.
Module IV:
Formulation of Strategics for multinational firms ways to enter a new country evaluating
international environment Deciding overall policy for international business.
Module : V
Case Studies
Suggested Readings :
1. Michael E. Porter : 1) Competitive Strategy, 2) The Competitive advantage of Nations
2. A.J. Ansoff : The new Corporate Strategy
3. Francis Cherunilam : Business Policy and Strategic Management
4. R.M. Srivastava: International Strategic Management
5. International Journal of Strategic Management
6. Azhar Kasmi : Business Policy

SMI 2402 ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

Objective:
The main objective of the study is to familiarize the students about the concepts of
Environmental Management and equip them to find solutions for contemporary concerns in
environmental management.
Module I :
Introduction to Environmental Management Environmental Management Vedic times to
Modern Population and Economic Growth Economic Growth: Its impact on
Environment Impact of Industrialization, Urbanization and Consumerism Health and
Environment Ethics and Environment Ethical Foundations of Environment Ethics and
Corporate Environmental Management
Module II :
Environment and Development Sustainable Development Meaning and Definition
Dimensions of Sustainable Development Economic, Environmental Social and Spiritual
Dimensions An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development A Holistic Approach
to Environment and Development Summits on Sustainable Development Role of
National and International Agencies.
Module III :
Environmental Economics Scope and Importance Ecology, Ecosystem and Economics
Inter linkage between Economics and Environment Material Balance Model
Environmental Kuznet Curve Its Impact - Efficiency and optimality in resource allocation
Achieving an efficient allocation of resources in market economy Market failure and
public policy Common Property Resources Tragedy of Commons Green Economics
and Green GDP
Module IV :
Indias Environmental Policy and Performance International Environmental Policy
Stockholm to Durban Climate Change Conference Global Warming and Climate Change
Carbon Trading Business Behind Climate Change Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Accounting Environmental Audit Environmental Movements in India
Environmental Management: Corporate Experience
Module V :
Environmental Planning and Management Role of Government in Environmental
Management Rural and Urban Indian Experience Poverty Vs. Environmental Quality
Social aspects Legal aspects Financial aspects Biodiversity Conservation
Environmental Resource management Management of Waste Municipal, solid, and
Hazardous Waste Local initiatives and Community Participation
Suggested Readings:
1. Kurien Joseph and R. Nagendran, Essentials of Environmental Studies
2. Muraleevallabhan T.V. Dimensions of Sustainable Economic Development
3. Karpagam M. Environmental Economics
4. Eugine G. Environmental Economics
5. Oberoi N.K. Environmental Management,
6. Jayamani C.V., Environment and Management Vedic Times to Modern

SMI 2403 INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT

Objective:
The objective of this course is to impart a general and clear idea of international logistics system and
management.
Module I :
Integrated logistics management concept, evolution and development; Importance of logistics
management in International business, International Logistics: functions and intermediaries. Issues
involved in movement of goods. Logistics information system positioning information in logistics;
logistics information systems design; I.T. in logistics; strategic information linkage. Total cost approach
to Logistics. Liabilities of carriers. Marine Insurance for Cargo. Warehousing, repacking and other value
added service provided by logistics service providers. 3 PL and 4 PL logistics service. Performance
measurement of logistic systems.
Module II :
The general structure of shipping industry; cargo types; vessels and vessel characteristics; linear
operations and tramp operations; chartering of bulk ocean carriers; the ocean linear conference system;
freight structure and practices; coordination; role of intermediaries forwarding and clearing agents;
freight brokers; stevedores and shippers agents. Containerisation types of Containers and ICDs. Layout
and working of container terminals. Port system and sub systems, port organization and management.
Responsibilities of port trusts, Growth and status of Ports in India, Inland water transport. Issues in Sea
transport. Regulatory authorities for sea transport and their roles.
Module III :
Introduction to Road transport system, Classification of Vehicles. Road network in India: types of roads,
Road transport companies and their operation in Full truckload business and in less than truckload
business. Road parcel service business. Fleet management systems. Integrated Logistics provided by
Road transport companies. Documents and Permits required in road transport system. Problems in road
transport. Regulatory authorities involved with road transport system.
Module IV :
Rail Transport system, Types of railway wagons, rakes, marshalling operations and yards, Railway goods
freight structure, Railway Parcel service operations. Railway goods service operations. Procedure for
availing railway parcel or goods service and the documentation involved. Operations at a railway goods
yard/siding. Operations and control in the railways. Organization of Indian Railways.
Module V :
Introduction to Air transportation, Air transport geography, Types of Aircrafts, Airline and air cargo
operations, Import and export process of cargo by air, Intermediaries in air cargo operations, freight
structure, carrier and consignee liabilities. Layout of Airport: facilities in Airside and city side for
passenger, cargo and aircrafts. Regulatory authorities for air transport and their roles.

Suggested Readings:
1. James F. Robbson & William C Copaciono (editors): The Logistics Hand Book.
2. Donald F Wood et.al.: International Logistics
3. Douglas Lambert and James R Stock: Strategic Logistics Management

4. IIFT : Study of Arrangements of Shipping Conference; Dictionary of Shipping and Chartering Terms;
Role of Shipping Policy in the Export Strategy of India; and Freight Tariffs and Practices of
Shipping Conferences
5. E. Elgar(Cheltenham, UK and Brookfield, Vt., US) The economics of regulating road transport Book
6. Sudhir Kumar and Shagun: Bankruptcy to Billions: How the Indian Railways Transformed, Oxford
India Paperbacks
7. Dilip Halder: Urban Transport in India: Crisis and Cure, Bookwell Publications
8. John G. Wensveen Air Transportation Seth Young (Author), Alexander Wells Airport Planning And
Management
9. John J. Cayle, Edward J.Bardi, C, John Langloy Jr.: The Management of Business Logistics - A
Supply Chain Perspective (7th Edn.), Thomson-South Western, Bangalore, 2007.