SFU
OFFICE OFTHE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMICAND PROVOST
S.12-140
University Drive, Burnaby, BC
Canada V5A 1S6
TEL 778.782.3925
FAX: 778.782.5876
www.sfu.ca/vpacadcmic
MEMORANDUM
attention Senate
date
September 12,2012
FROM
Jon Driver, Vice-President, Academic and
PAGES
1/1
RE:
Provost, and Chair, SCUP
Beedie School of Business: Full Program Proposal for a Graduate Certificate in^Business in the
Americas (SCUP 12-29)
J\
At its September 5, 2012 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the Full Program Proposal for a Graduate
Certificate in Business in the Americas within the Beedie School of Business, effective Summer 2013.
Motion:
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for a Graduate
Certificate in Business in the Americas within the Beedie School of Business, effective S«o^To <a
?jO13,
end.
c: C. Collins
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
engaging the world
MEMO
Dean of
Graduate Studies
s i h:.i:i adpr i:ss
Maggie Benston
Student Services Centre
1100
Burnaby BC V5A iSr>
Canada
maii inc. Aiinur.ss
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC V5A tSd
Canada
SFU
SCUP 12-29
TO:SCUP
TEL
FROM Peter Liljedahl, Acting Dean, Graduate Studies
RE Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
[GS2012.29]
CC
Colleen Collins
DATE
July 4,
2012
At its meeting of3 July, 2012, the SGSC approved the following proposal for a
Business in the Americas Certificate and is forwarding it to SCUP for consideration:
Effective Date is Summer 2013
Beedie School of Business
Executive MBA Program
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
[GS2012.29]
Senators wishing to consult a more detailed report of curriculum revisions
may do so by going to Docushare:
https://docushai-e.sfu.ca/dsweb/View/Collection-12682
If you are unable to access the information, please call 778-782-3168 or email
shelley gair@sfu.ca.
Proposal: Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
Beedie School of Business
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas recognizes the increasingly global nature of
business and in particular, the growing importanceof the countries of the Americas to the British
Columbia, Canadian and global economies. The Certificate enables students to address key business
issues relevant to the Americas, through the opportunity to visit, study and interact with students and
faculty from across the region. The Beedie School of Business has entered a partnership with three other
schools to provide a truly international experience for students:
•
FIA Business School, Fundacao Instituto De Administracao, Sao Paulo, Brazil;
o
1TAM, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; and
•
Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management, Nashville, Tenn., USA.
The certificate is not only interdisciplinary across business disciplines it is also thematicaround strategies
and issues in international business. It builds upon the strengths of each partner institution to provide a
diverse student experience. The Beedie School'sstrength inglobal business andcross-cultural
management attracts students to the Executive MBA program. The Certificate enhances and complements
Beedie's capacity to offer courses in the Americas context.
A graduate certificate will recognize the unique experiences and additional courses provided to EMBA
students participating in theoptional Americas MBA stream. Students inthe Americas Executive MBA
streamtake 4 additional courses compared to the normal EMBA program as well as the country specific
sessions. Furthermore, the certificate provides recognition on studenttranscripts whereasstreams do not.
2. PREAMBLE
The Americasare a priorityfor Canadian and BC business and society as evident from the recent visits to
Brazil by the Canadian Prime Minister and University Presidents. Alongwith Canada, the USA, Brazil
and Mexico represent the four largest economies in the Americas with growth opportunities. However, as
with any international opportunities, there are clear challenges of language, culture, and business
practices. Decision makers in increasingly global organizations need to understand the particular nuances
of these differences and how to address them. They need to adapt their personal communication style to
cultural differences that influence relationships. They need to adapt their strategies in human resources,
market entry, business models, marketing, and innovation. They need to understand the differences in
doing business with very large established family businesses that are very common in South America,
compared to Canada. Ethical dilemmas that are addressed by the
legal and institutional frameworks in
Canada are not dealt with in the same way in South America.
Simon Fraser University and the Beedie School of Business have a strategic focus on globalization,
including emerging markets like Brazil. Beedie has engaged the local business community in dialogue
around responsible mining in the Americas. We recently hosted the Chilean Minister of Mining. Faculty
C. Collins/ July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
1
members Jeremy Halland Carolyn Egrihave extensive research ontopics suchas innovation, sustainable
development and values relatedwork practices in the Brazilian and Mexican context.
The GraduateCertificatein Businessin the
Americas provides an opportunity for studentsto experience
first-hand the different business and cultural environments ofthe region and to buildnetworks of trusted
classmates in each country.
The international nature ofthe experience includes:
•
Courses designed for the Americas Certificate cohort at all four institutions;
•
Site visits to companies,as well as sessionson cultureand businesspractices in each country;
•
Interacting with executive MBA students from all four schools in cross-national teams on
exercises, assignments and projects.
The Americas Certificate in Business in the Americas is open to students in the Americas MBA stream
of
the Beedie Executive MBA program.
For these students, the Certificate is distinct from the Executive MBA in that students join the Americas
MBA stream after they have completed the first three terms
ofthe EMBA that comprise most ofthe core
business knowledge in the program. Uponjoining the Americas MBA stream, students take four required
Executive MBA courses that have been modified for the Americas stream. For the Certificate, students
take four additional Special Topics Americas courses as well as the non-credit business and culture
workshops.
3. PURPOSE OF GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
The GraduateCertificate in Businessin the Americas will provide studentswith a unique opportunity to
learn about international businessand culture in the three other leadingeconomiesofthe Americas:
•
the USA - the largest economy in the world and Canada'slargesttrading partner;
•
Mexico - NAFTA partner and priority market for Canada.
•
Brazil - the sixth largest economy (recently overtaking Britain) and reciprocal direct investment ranks
among the top ten in Canada, also a priority market for Canada.
Recognition of their participationin the AmericasMBAexperiencewith a Graduate Certificateprovides
students with a formal record oftheir participation in a component of the EMBA that goes beyondthe
regular experience - one that enhances student's abilityto thrive in a global business environment.
3.1. Institutional Benefits
Although the certificatedoes not directlygenerate research, it will providegreateropportunities
for faculty members to interactwith each other acrossthe institutionsas well as with experienced
students who can provide insights that may informresearch. At an administrative level, the
opportunity to work with three other outstanding institutions provides insights into practices that
can enhance our own processes.
32. Enhanced opportunities for graduates
Recognition through the certificateof the additional and modified courseworkas well as the
broader overall experience will help students to:
C. Collins/ July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
•
Enhance their abilities to take on expatriate roles in the region for their current or potential
employers
•
Enhance their ability to perform in roles here in BC that require the knowledge and networks
acquired through the Certificate
•
Seek funding from their employers for EMBA tuition and the travel costs associated with the
Americas stream.
3.3.
Enhanced value to the community
The benefits to British Columbian organizations from students having the experience associated
with the certificate include:
•
employees who are familiar with business practices in the Americas;
•
employees who can identify opportunities and implement strategies to achieve success;
•
employees who have consideredthe challenges and risks posed by operations in the
Americas;
•
employeeswho have a networkoftrusted contacts in the three other partner nations.
4.
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
4.1.
Participation in the Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
Students admitted to the Executive MBA program may opt to participate in the Americas MBA
stream and the graduatecertificate. Studentsmust completeboththe stream requirements and the
additional courses for the Certificate. Students must meet the normal EMBA admission requirements
and be in goodacademicstandingpriorto undertaking the graduate certificate. Qualified students
should notifythe EMBAprogram of their
intention to participate in the springterm priorto the
beginning of the Americas courses.
4.2. Home University and Program Governance
Studentsparticipating in Graduate Certificate courses at the partnerinstitutions remain studentsof
SFU and the Beedie ExecutiveMBA program. Students are registeredin EMBA specialtopics
courses and receive SFU grades. All academicand administrative support is provided by Beedie.
Two bodies are responsible for the certificatecourses.The Beedie EMBA program committee is
responsiblefor the integrationofthe certificatewithinthe EMBA, including: selectionofstudents,
general course content, and grading. The Americas EMBA consortium school representatives
provide governance for the general design ofthe Americasofferings including student qualifications
(i.e courses are only open to Americas EMBA students in each institution), approval
offaculty,
specific detailed course content, and delivery logistics for the certificate.
The Americas EMBA stream is currently limited by the consortium agreement to 15 students per
school. Beedie provides space and teaching resources for 2 courses for the Americas cohort. These
two courses are required courses for the EMBA.
43. Certificate Structure
The graduate certificate courses are offered during the final two semesters ofthe Executive MBA
program
as
part ofthe Americas Executive MBA stream. See Appendix 2 for a course comparison ofthe
C. Collins/ July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
EMBA and Americas EMBA stream and Certificate courses. The EMBA is a program fee program and as
such we are not charging additional tuition. Students must pay the costs oftheir travel and
accommodation at the international locations. The details ofthe certificate courses are as follows:
Americas EMBA stream courses
Required EMBA courses:
Bus 607-4 Strategy (Global Perspective) (SFU)
Bus 602-4 Global Business (SFU)
Bus 650-3 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (FIA- University of Sao Paulo)
Bus 664-4 New Ventures (Vanderbilt)
Graduate Certificate courses (in addition to EMBA requirements):
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: Strategic Managementfor EmergingMarkets (FIA- University of Sao Paulo)
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: International Competitiveness and Strategy (ITAM)
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: Family Business in Latin America (ITAM)
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: Leading a Global Innovation Strategy (Vanderbilt)
The SpecialTopics courseswill be delivered by the partnerschools in consultation with the Beedie
School ofBusiness. The topics may change over time as topics of interest and partner resources change.
Students complete classes at the four partner institutions Beedie, FIA Business School, Fundacao Instituto
De Administracao, Sao Paulo, Brazil; ITAM, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomode Mexico, Mexico City,
Mexico; and Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management, Nashville, Tenn., USA. In
the Americas EMBA stream, Beedie students receive credit for 8 courses, 4 ofwhich are in addition to the
regular EMBA requirementsand representthe certificatecourses. These four courses will be designated
"Special Topics" courses. While the unifying theme is the "Americas", the courses represent a variety of
business disciplines. In the first offering the special topics include: StrategicManagementfor Emerging
Markets; Family Business in Latin America; Competitiveness and Strategy; Leading a Global Innovation
Strategy.
4.4. Certificate Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas includes 4 Special Topics courses (Bus 652-3)
over and above the required EMBA courses in the Americasstream, as well as the business and
culture workshops offered by partner schools.
C. Collins/ July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
5. PROCESS AND TIMELINES
Assuming approvals:
Discussions with partner schools—fall/spring 2010
Review by faculty committees - spring 2010
Approval by SCIA - spring 2010
Approval of Americas EMBA stream -- spring 2011
Submission of Certificate proposal to SGSC - summer 2012
Review and approval by Senate - fall 2012
Students enrolled in courses - fall 2012 and spring 2013
Students complete EMBA - spring 2013
Certificate awarded June 2013
Calendar Entry
From:
To:
Americas Executive MBA
stream
Students have two optional paths for the final
two terms of their program. They may choose
the SFU EMBA stream or opt to apply to be
considered for one of the limited spaces in the
Americas EMBA stream. In the second year
of
the program, classes in the EMBA stream are
taught at SFU in the same format as the first
year.
Classes in the Americas EMBA stream are
taught in four eight-and-a-half day intensive
sessions in partnership with three other
institutions at their campuses: Owen Graduate
School, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
USA; ITAM, Mexico City; and FIA,
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Courses in the
Americas EMBA stream are similar to those in
the EMBA stream, but with a greater emphasis
on international management.
Several additional courses on selected topics
are also included as well as country/region
specific sessions.
Further details on the EMBA and the Americas
Americas Executive MBA
stream
Students have two optional paths for the final
two terms of their program. They may choose
the SFU EMBA stream or opt to apply to be
considered for
one ofthe limited spaces in the
Americas
EMBA stream. In the second year of
the program, classes in the EMBA stream are
taught at SFU in the same format as the first
year.
Classes in the Americas EMBA stream are
taught in four eight-and-a-half day intensive
sessions in partnership with three other
institutions at their campuses: Owen Graduate
School, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
USA; ITAM, Mexico City; and FIA,
University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Courses in the
Americas EMBA stream are similar to those in
the EMBA stream, but with a greater emphasis
on international management.
Graduate Certificate in Business in the
Americas
The Americas EMBA stream includes four
selected topics courses in addition to those
C.Collins/July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
EMBA stream are provided on the program
website: www.beedie.sfu.ca/emba
required for the EMBA. These four additional
courses are required for the Graduate
Certificate. Courses are relevant to business in
the Americas covering a variety of business
disciplines. Students will also participate in
company visits
and workshops on local
cultural and business practices in each of the 4
participating countries.
The Certificate is open to students enrolled in
the Americas option
of the EMBA. Students
must complete all stream requirements
including those included in the Graduate
Certificate.
Further details on the EMBA and the Americas
EMBA stream are provided on the program
website: www.beedie.sfu.ca/emba
C.Collins/July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
APPENDIX 1: GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS IN THE AMERICAS
DESCRIPTION OF 2012/2013 SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES
Owen Graduate School of Business, Vanderbilt University (Nashville)
Leading a Global Innovation Strategy: Overcoming The Six Innovation Barriers in Organizations
David Owens
Everybody wants innovation—or do they? This course presents a framework for understanding how
individualsand organizations sabotage their own best intentions to encourage creativity and "outside the
box" thinking. Professor Owens demonstrates that the antidote to this self-defeating behavior is to
identify which
of the six major types of constraints are hindering innovation: individual, group,
organizational, industry-wide, societal, or technological. Once innovators and other leaders of
organizational change understand exactly which constraints are working against them and how to
overcome them, they can create conditions that foster innovation instead of stopping it in its tracks. Upon
completion students will able to: understand the most common causes of innovation failure, assess
innovation capabilities in themselves and their organizations, diagnose the constraints that stand in the
way of a successful innovation, become better at idea-generation and assessment, and develop a
successful innovation strategy for their organizations.
FIA (Sao Paulo)
Strategic Management for Emerging Markets
On completion of this course the student will have an understanding of the challenges and practices in
developing products, services and business models to cater to the needs of dynamic emerging markets,
which combine wide extremes of purchasing power, as well social and cultural differences, so as to
achieve and maintain competitive advantages over the evolving life cycle of products and consumers.
The rapid growth of population in emergingeconomies makes this understanding an essential knowledge
component for the international manager.
ITAM (Mexico City)
Family Business
At the end of this course, the student will know the particular characteristics of family enterprises and will
recognize its great potential for development as well as the risks involved. The student will assimilate
basic ideas for the management
of these enterprises, basically focused on the prevention of conflicts, and
will have important elements to plan the continuity of the company.
Competitiveness and Strategy
In order to thrive, firms, regions and countries need to constantly find ways to remain competitive. This
course will present the driving factors behind different level
of competitiveness, and clarify the
interaction between these different levels. The course will provide alternative frameworks for analyzing
the competitive environment, as well as tools to create and implement strategic alternatives to prosper
within a changing environment.
C. Collins/ July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
Appendix 2: Regular EMBA / America's EMBA stream + Certificate program
comparison
FirstYear (core common to both streams)
Bus 681-4 Leadership
Bus 651-4 Managerial Economics
Bus 662-3 Negotiations
Bus 670-4 Accounting
Bus 603-4 Structure and Change in Organizations
Bus 615-4 Marketing
Bus 621-4 Information Technology and Organizational Transformation
Second Year (2 streams)
EMBA
Americas EMBA stream all required
Bus 607-4 Strategy
Bus 607-4 Strategy (Global Perspective) (SFU)
Bus 602-4 Global Business
Bus 602-4 Global Business (SFU)
Bus 650-3 Ethics
Bus 650-3 Ethics and Corporate Social
Responsibility (FIA)
Bus 664-4 New Ventures
Bus 664-4 New Ventures (Vanderbilt)
Bus 696-6 Applied Project
Bus 696-6 Applied Project (Global team)
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: International
Competitiveness (ITAM)
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: Family Business (ITAM)
Bus 652-3 Special Topics: Innovation (Vanderbilt)
Bus 652-3SpecialTopics: Emerging Markets (FIA)
C.Collins/July 2012
Graduate Certificate in Business in the Americas
Back to top
