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MIM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECTS

The International Business Research Project is the culminating project of the MIM Program. This project achieves several important goals:

• students apply their MIM skills to an actual business project
• students learn from and work with current or prospective employers
• potential employers preview possible job candidates
• participating businesses receive graduate-level, international management consultation on an issue unique to them

Beginning late spring and extending through the end of Fall Term, small student teams commit to 8-12 weeks and 600-900 hours of work to complete their project. Projects vary based on the client’s needs and students' field of specialization, but all enhance practical expertise. A member of the participating company will be in frequent contact with the team, and the project culminates in a written report and oral presentation to the company’s designate and the PSU MIM Program Director. Typically, students work in teams with members from an international company on a particular strategic business issue such as:

• Sales and Marketing. Increasing sales of a product line within a specific geographic area.
• Market Entry Strategies. Investigate which new international markets are best to enter and then determine when and how to enter them.
• Improvement of Marketing Process. Explore how to change the international product design process to better meet diverse customers' demands.
• Relocation Analysis of Manufacturing Sites. Determine whether or not to relocate manufacturing operations abroad and explore possible locations.
• Other international business issues, such as: Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, Knowledge Management, Change Management, Information Systems Management, project finance management

FEATURES of the MIM International Research Project

MIM students can expect:

• To contribute to an extensive written report of problem analysis and recommendations
• To make a formal presentation to company representatives (if desired)
• Supervision by MIM faculty advisors
• A Detailed 5-Step Project Process: the following steps help define the process of designing and implementing an International Business Research project:

A. Project Approach. The company contacts the MIM Program with a problem for an International Business Research Project. The MIM program will determine the best candidate(s) for the project, and coordinate a meeting to discuss objectives, timing, deliverables, and performance expectations. The MIM candidate(s) will create a report detailing these discussions. The MIM program will review the report and secure any required details.

B. Proposal. The MIM candidate(s) create a written program with a written proposal for an International Business Research Project. This proposal is the foundation for the students' work and defines to them what is to be accomplished. The proposal presents a brief company description, a definition of the situational context of the problem and the project's overall high-level objective. Examples include: “Investigate the market potential for our products in Thailand;” “Determine the most effective manner for our firm to establish an operation in China;” “Investigate the benefits and disadvantages of relocating a manufacturing plant from the U.S. to Mexico;” “Investigate sourcing of specific components in China.”

C. Company Contacts. Appoint a Company lead contact person. This step is very important, as the team will need to know whom to contact at the participating Company for necessary information and guidance as they progress through the project.

D. Inception Clarification. A second meeting with all participating Company personnel, the student team and the team faculty advisor at the project's inception, to clarify project details and to ensure the expectations are clear for the remainder of the project and any interim steps. The meeting will clarify not only the work itself, but how the work is to be performed (i.e. within company normal procedures and business practices, project completion date and timeline for deliverables).

E. Project Details. Once the proposal has been reviewed by the MIM program and the Company and an MIM team has been formed, it is up to the student team to provide the project's detailed tasks and goals. It is the responsibility of the students and faculty advisor to develop a list of tasks and goals for the Company’s review. These tasks and goals become the foundation of the project and lead directly to the completed report.

Samples of Previous Project Titles:

• International Market Entry Plan
• International Business Plan
• Assessment of International Financing Alternatives
• International Manufacturing Plan
• International Growth Plan
• International Strategic Plan
• International Management Accounting System
• International HR Planning and Management
• International Merger and Acquisition Strategy

About Participating Companies

A contribution to the MIM program is welcomed although not expected. Generally, companies have given $2,500. These funds support continued MIM program development, guest lectures and MIM student and alumni development. Formerly participating companies that have benefited from the International Business Research Project include:

• A-dec (Japan, Korea & Taiwan International Market Entrance Strategy
• Columbia Sportswear
• Food Innovation Center
• Guardian of Humanity
• Hannah Andersson
• Hewlett Packard, Inc.
• High Gear Company
• Industries, Inc.
• Intel Corporation
• LG International
• MEC Corporation
• Microsoft
• Nike (European Market Assessment)
• Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Oregon Wine Board
• PakTech/Oregon Precision
• Paccess (Global Logistics Solutions)
• Rogue Ale
• Standard Insurance
• Sun Microsystems (Greater China Marketing)
• Target, Inc.