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MBA in International Business at Som-Lalit Institute of Management Studies (SLIMS)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
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About the Specialization
What is International Business at Som-Lalit Institute of Management Studies (SLIMS) Ahmedabad?
This International Business (IB) program at Som-Lalit Institute of Management Studies focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of global trade and commerce. It emphasizes understanding international markets, trade policies, cross-cultural management, and global financial operations, crucial for India''''s growing role in the world economy. The program''''s blend of theoretical learning and practical insights prepares students for dynamic global business careers.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates aspiring to build careers in import-export, international logistics, global finance, or multinational corporations. It also caters to working professionals seeking to upskill and gain specialized knowledge in global business practices. Candidates with a keen interest in international affairs, cross-cultural interactions, and a strong analytical bent will find this specialization particularly rewarding, preparing them for leadership roles in a globalized Indian economy.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in international trade, supply chain management, export-import houses, global banks, and international marketing firms. Entry-level salaries in India typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, growing to INR 8-15 LPA for experienced professionals in roles like International Business Analyst, Export Manager, or Global Logistics Coordinator. The skills acquired align with certifications in trade finance and global supply chain management, enhancing professional growth trajectories in Indian and international companies.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Management Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on building a strong foundation in core management subjects like economics, statistics, and finance. Utilize academic resources, participate in study groups, and actively engage in class discussions to solidify understanding. This rigorous academic base is critical for specialized international business concepts later.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks, case studies, academic journals, peer study groups, institutional library resources
Career Connection
A strong grasp of core management principles (e.g., financial analysis, market research) is essential for any business role, especially in international business, where complex financial and market data drive decisions. This sets the stage for advanced specialization and higher placement potential.
Enhance Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in communication workshops, public speaking events, and group discussions. Practice writing clear and concise business reports. Focus on improving both verbal and written English proficiency, which is paramount for global business interactions and negotiations.
Tools & Resources
Toastmasters clubs, debate societies, English language proficiency courses, online grammar tools, presentation software like PowerPoint
Career Connection
Effective communication is a cornerstone of international business. Strong presentation skills are vital for pitching ideas, negotiating deals, and collaborating with diverse global teams, directly influencing career progression in international roles and securing better placements.
Begin Networking and Industry Exposure- (Semester 1-2)
Attend guest lectures, industry seminars, and virtual conferences to gain insights into the current global business environment. Start building a professional network by connecting with alumni and industry leaders on platforms like LinkedIn. Participate in any available college-led industry visits.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, industry association events, college alumni network, guest lecture series
Career Connection
Early networking opens doors to internships and mentorship, providing practical exposure. Understanding industry trends helps align academic learning with career goals, making students more attractive to potential employers in the international business domain during placements.
Intermediate Stage
Deep Dive into International Business Electives- (Semester 3)
Engage deeply with specialization subjects like International Marketing, Export-Import Management, and International Finance. Seek practical application of theoretical knowledge through case studies, simulations, and live projects related to Indian export markets or global supply chains. Form study groups focused on these subjects.
Tools & Resources
Specialized textbooks, industry reports on global trade, trade journals, simulation software, business case competitions
Career Connection
Specialized knowledge in IB directly prepares students for roles in international trade, logistics, and finance. Demonstrating deep understanding through projects and competitions makes candidates stand out in recruitment for specific international business functions.
Secure a Meaningful International Business Internship- (Semester 3 (Summer after Semester 2))
Actively seek and complete internships with companies involved in international trade, logistics, foreign exchange, or global marketing. Focus on gaining hands-on experience in areas like documentation, market research for new countries, or supply chain optimization. Leverage college placement cells and personal networks.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, internship portals (e.g., Internshala, LinkedIn), company websites, professional networking
Career Connection
An impactful internship provides invaluable practical exposure and demonstrates industry readiness. It often converts into pre-placement offers or provides crucial experience for final placements, particularly with Indian companies expanding globally or MNCs with operations in India.
Participate in National Level Business Competitions- (Semester 3)
Join and actively participate in national or inter-college business plan competitions, case study challenges, or simulation games, especially those with an international theme. This hones problem-solving, teamwork, and analytical skills under pressure, reflecting real-world business scenarios.
Tools & Resources
Case study websites, B-school competition platforms, team collaboration tools
Career Connection
Winning or even participating in such competitions showcases initiative, analytical prowess, and strategic thinking – qualities highly valued by employers. It enhances resume strength and provides excellent talking points during placement interviews for roles requiring strategic and global mindset.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Research Project/Dissertation- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant effort to the ''''Project Work'''' (MBA402). Choose a research topic relevant to International Business, such as market entry strategies for an Indian company, impact of trade policies on a sector, or global supply chain resilience. Focus on rigorous methodology and insightful analysis.
Tools & Resources
Research methodology guides, statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R), academic databases, faculty mentorship
Career Connection
A well-executed research project demonstrates critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. It can be a strong differentiator during placements, especially for roles requiring strategic insights, market analysis, or consulting within international business divisions.
Intensive Placement Preparation and Skill Refinement- (Semester 4)
Engage in rigorous placement preparation, including mock interviews, group discussion practice, and resume building workshops. Refine your soft skills, aptitude, and technical knowledge in your chosen IB domain. Seek career counseling and alumni guidance for specific company profiles.
Tools & Resources
Placement cell resources, mock interview platforms, aptitude test practice books, online courses for specific IB skills
Career Connection
Targeted placement preparation significantly increases the chances of securing desired roles in international business. Polished communication, a strong resume, and confidence are crucial for converting opportunities in Indian and global firms.
Pursue Advanced Certifications or Foreign Language Skills- (Semester 4 and post-graduation)
Consider pursuing relevant professional certifications in areas like trade finance (e.g., from ICC), customs procedures, or supply chain management. If time permits, enhance employability by learning a foreign language pertinent to key trading partners, such as Mandarin, German, or Spanish.
Tools & Resources
Online certification platforms (Coursera, edX), language learning apps (Duolingo, Babbel), local language institutes
Career Connection
Specialized certifications add tangible skills and industry-recognized qualifications, making candidates more competitive. Foreign language proficiency is a significant advantage in international business roles, opening up opportunities with global companies and enhancing cross-cultural communication in India''''s diverse business landscape.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university with minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved category) & cleared entrance exam such as CMAT / MAT / XAT / CAT / ATMA.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 114 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA101 | Management Principles & Organization Behavior | Core | 4 | Management Concepts and Functions, Planning, Organizing, Directing, Controlling, Organizational Behavior Fundamentals, Perception, Motivation, Leadership, Group Dynamics and Team Building |
| MBA102 | Managerial Economics | Core | 4 | Economic Principles and Business Decisions, Demand and Supply Analysis, Production and Cost Analysis, Market Structures and Pricing Strategies, Business Cycles and Economic Policies |
| MBA103 | Accounting for Managers | Core | 4 | Financial Accounting Principles, Preparation of Financial Statements, Cost Accounting Concepts, Management Accounting Tools, Budgeting and Variance Analysis |
| MBA104 | Business Statistics | Core | 4 | Data Collection and Presentation, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion, Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling and Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression Analysis |
| MBA105 | Communication Skills | Core | 3 | Principles of Business Communication, Oral and Written Communication, Presentation Skills and Public Speaking, Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication, Group Discussion and Interview Techniques |
| MBA106 | Computer Applications in Management | Core | 3 | Operating Systems and Office Automation Tools, Data Management and Spreadsheet Applications, Internet and E-commerce Technologies, Business Software and Information Systems, Cyber Security Basics |
| MBA107 | Indian Ethos and Business Ethics | Core | 3 | Indian Management Tradition and Values, Ethical Dilemmas in Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Principles of Corporate Governance, Ethics in Marketing and Finance |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA201 | Human Resource Management | Core | 4 | HR Planning and Recruitment, Selection and Placement, Training and Development, Performance Appraisal and Compensation, Employee Relations and Grievance Handling |
| MBA202 | Marketing Management | Core | 4 | Marketing Concepts and Environment, Market Segmentation and Targeting, Product Life Cycle and Branding, Pricing Strategies and Promotion Mix, Distribution Channels and Marketing Research |
| MBA203 | Financial Management | Core | 4 | Financial Goals and Capital Budgeting, Working Capital Management, Cost of Capital and Capital Structure, Dividend Policy Decisions, Financial Markets and Instruments |
| MBA204 | Operations Management | Core | 4 | Production Systems and Plant Location, Inventory Management and Control, Quality Management and TQM, Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, Project Management and Scheduling |
| MBA205 | Research Methodology | Core | 3 | Research Design and Problem Formulation, Data Collection Methods and Sampling, Data Analysis Techniques, Report Writing and Presentation, Qualitative Research Approaches |
| MBA206 | Environment & Management | Core | 3 | Business Environment Analysis, Economic and Political-Legal Environment, Socio-Cultural and Technological Environment, Environmental Scanning and Forecasting, Impact of Environment on Business Strategy |
| MBA207 | Business Analytics | Core | 3 | Introduction to Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics and Reporting, Predictive Analytics Techniques, Prescriptive Analytics and Optimization, Data Visualization and Interpretation |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA301 | Strategic Management | Core | 4 | Strategic Management Process, Environmental Analysis and SWOT, Corporate and Business Level Strategies, Strategy Implementation and Control, Global and Digital Strategies |
| MBA302 | Legal Aspects of Business | Core | 4 | Indian Contract Act, Companies Act and Partnership Act, Consumer Protection Act, Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Law and Environmental Laws |
| MBA303 | Entrepreneurship Development | Core | 4 | Entrepreneurial Process and Ecosystem, Business Plan Preparation, Startup Funding and Venture Capital, Innovation and Creativity in Business, Small Business Management and Growth |
| MBA341 | International Business Environment | Elective | 4 | Globalization and International Trade, Economic and Political Environment, Cultural and Social Environment, Theories of International Trade, Foreign Direct Investment and MNCs |
| MBA342 | Export-Import Management | Elective | 4 | Export-Import Procedures and Policies, Documentation and Customs Formalities, Shipping and Logistics, Export Financing and Payment Terms, Risk Management in International Trade |
| MBA343 | International Marketing | Elective | 4 | Global Marketing Strategy, Market Entry Strategies, Product and Brand Decisions, Pricing and Promotion in International Markets, Global Distribution Channels |
| MBA344 | International Financial Management | Elective | 4 | Foreign Exchange Market and Rates, Currency Risk Management, International Investment Decisions, Global Working Capital Management, International Capital Budgeting |
| MBA345 | International Human Resource Management | Elective | 4 | Global HR Strategies and Policies, International Staffing and Recruitment, Training and Development of Expatriates, International Compensation and Benefits, Repatriation and Cross-Cultural Communication |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA401 | Management of Technology & Innovation | Core | 4 | Technology Management Framework, Innovation Process and Diffusion, R&D Management and Commercialization, Technology Transfer and Acquisition, Digital Transformation and Disruptive Technologies |
| MBA441 | Cross Cultural Management | Elective | 4 | Impact of Culture on Business, Hofstede''''s Cultural Dimensions, Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation, Global Leadership Styles, Managing Cultural Diversity |
| MBA442 | Global Supply Chain Management | Elective | 4 | Global Supply Chain Strategy, International Logistics and Transportation, Global Sourcing and Procurement, Inventory Management in Global Context, Supply Chain Risk Management |
| MBA443 | WTO and International Trade | Elective | 4 | World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements, GATT, GATS, and TRIPS, Trade Barriers and Liberalization, Regional Trade Blocs and FTAs, Dispute Settlement Mechanism |
| MBA444 | International Services Marketing | Elective | 4 | Characteristics of Services, Service Quality and Customer Experience, Global Service Strategies, Marketing Mix for International Services, Digital Services and E-Services |
| MBA445 | Foreign Language for Business (Optional) | Elective (Optional) | 4 | Basic Vocabulary and Grammar, Business Communication Phrases, Cultural Etiquette for Business, Listening and Speaking Skills, Introduction to Business Correspondence |
| MBA402 | Project Work | Project | 8 | Problem Identification and Research Design, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing and Documentation, Presentation Skills, Application of Management Concepts |
