6241 International Business G S2 2014

of 12 Australian Government Higher Education (CRICOS) Registered Provider number: #00212K

Unit Outline Semester 2 2014

Faculty of Business Government & Law

Unit Title International Business G

Unit Number 6241


This Unit Outline must be read in conjunction with:

a) UC Student Guide to Policies, which sets out University-wide policies and procedures, including information on matters such as plagiarism, grade descriptors, moderation, feedback and deferred

exams, and is available at (scroll to bottom of page)

http://www.canberra.edu.au/student-services

b) UC Guide to Student Services, and is available at (scroll to bottom of page) http://www.canberra.edu.au/student-services

c) Any additional information specified in section 6h.

1: General Information

1a Unit title International Business G

1b Unit number 6241/SEM-2/STD-F2-FO

1c Teaching Period and year offered Semester 2 2014 Standard

1d Credit point value 3

1e Unit level G

1f Name of Unit Convener and contact details (including telephone and email)

Dr Michael Corliss

Room: 6D14

Tel: 02 6206 8918

Email: [email protected]

1g Administrative contact details (including name, location, telephone and email)

Tel: (02) 6206 8810

Fax (02) 6201 5764

Room: 11B27

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.canberra.edu.au/faculties/busgovlaw


2: Academic Content

2a Unit description and learning outcomes

This unit provides an overview of the international trade and financial environment within which

business must function. Some broad topics covered are: changes and trends in the global economy;

production in the international firm; comparative advantage and the basis for international trade. This

unit provides an overview of the international trade and financial environment within which business

must function.

International business is any business that involves a cross-border commercial transaction, and may

include the movement of raw materials, finished goods, service or money. While it has some

similarities with domestic business, there are many important differences. At the international level a

manager must cope with a highly complex environment. Key variables in this environment include

different currencies whose values change, different government policies concerning tax, anti-trust

rules and financial controls, as well as variables which exist in any domestic context, such as

competition, cost and customer characteristics. In addition, different cultures exist in different

countries; and cultures within individual countries also may have important differences.

Consequently this subject addresses important challenges and issues that face organizations which do

business outside their home countries. In what ways can you deal with other organizations and

governments in diverse legal environments? How do you cope with cultural differences? How do you

manage business in different currencies? What strategies will enable you to compete successfully with

rivals from other countries? Answers to such questions are often not immediately obvious but, in this

subject, we shall examine logical approaches to dealing with them.

At the completion of the unit students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of international trade theory, counter trade and international financial markets

2. Explain the diversity and complexity of the international business environment.

3. Observe current trends in the global markets

4. Identify major areas of growth and stagnation

5. Explain the arguments for and against foreign direct investment from the viewpoints of firms, nation-states, and other interest groups

6. Demonstrate an understanding of economic and trade developments of a specific country

7. Explain the various modes of entering the international market pursued by international business

8. Discuss the economics and politics of international trade and investment and evaluate their potential impact on the international context

9. Demonstrate an understanding of the international business relations of a specific corporation

10. Analyse the strategies and structures used by international businesses

2b Generic skills

1. Communication The ability to present knowledge, ideas and opinions effectively and communicate within and across

professional and cultural boundaries

2. Analysis and inquiry


The ability to gather information, and to analyse and evaluate information and situations in a

systematic, creative and insightful way (through the assignments)

3. Problem solving The ability to apply problem-solving processes in novel situations; to identify and analyse problems

then formulate and implement solutions

4. Working independently and with others The ability to plan their own work, be self-directed, and use interpersonal skills and attitudes to work

collaboratively (through weekly tutorial exercises and assignments)

5. Professionalism and social responsibility

The capacity and intention to use professional knowledge and skills ethically and responsibly, for the

benefit of others and the environment

2c Prerequisites and/or co-requisites

None

3: Delivery of Unit and Timetable

3a Delivery mode

Blended Delivery Requiring On-Campus Attendance on Evenings (EVENING)

3b Timetable of activities, such as lectures/ tutorials/ practicals/ field classes, showing key

dates and topics (Information might be provided in the form of a table)

Tuesday 2B11 18:30-2130

Date Topic Hill Assessment

Schedule

Week 1

12th

Aug

Globalisation Ch. 1

Week 2

19th

Aug

National Differences in the Political Economy

& Political Economy and Economic

Development

Ch. 2, 3

Week 3

26th

Aug

International Trade Theory Ch. 6

Week 4

2nd

Sep

The Political Economy of International Trade Ch. 7

Week 5

9th

Sep

The Global Monetary System Ch. 10, 11, 12

Week 6

16th

Sep

Foreign Direct Investment &

Regional Economic Integration

Ch. 8, 9

Project Plan due

Tuesday 16th

September

Week 7

23rd

Sep

Differences in Culture Ch. 4

Week 8

30th

Sep

Class Free Period

Break

Week 9

7th

Oct

The Strategy of International Business Ch. 13


There will be no final examination in this unit.

4: Unit Resources

4a Lists of required texts/readings

You must have ready access to the prescribed textbook listed below, which is available from the

bookshop on the University campus.

Hill, C. (2014) International Business: Competing in a Global Marketplace 10th

edition, McGraw Hill

Education, USA.

Other readings

There are numerous introductory texts in the fields of, international business, international

management and international marketing that may be useful.

Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. R., Rammal, H. G., and Freeman, S. 2012

International Business: The New Realties. Australasian Edition. Pearson.

Hill, C.W.L., Cronk, T., Wickramasekera, R. 2010, Global Business Today: Asia- Pacific Edition, 2nd

Edition McGraw Hill/Irwin, Australia

Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G. and Riesenberger, J. R. 2008 International Business: Strategy,Management

and New Realties. Pearson.

Peng, M. 2009, Global Business, Cengage Learning, Mason, Ohio.

Griffin, R.W. and Pustay, M.W. 2010 International Business, 6th Edition Pearson Publishing.

Czinkota, M.R., Ronkainen, I.A. and Moffett, M.H, 2005, International Business, (7th ed), South

Western/Thomson. Mason, Ohio, USA

P. Ramburuth, and Welch, C. 2005, Casebook in International Business: Australian and Asia Pacific

Perspectives, Person Education Australia.

Wild,J.J., Wild, K.L. and Han, J.C.Y. 2006 International Business: The Challenges of Globalization,

(3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, Pearson/Prentice Hall, USA.

Journals

Apart from books, you will find it valuable to get into the practice of reading relevant articles from

journals. These are the primary resources you should use in preparing your assignments.

Week 10

14th

Oct

Entry Strategy and Strategic Alliance &

Exporting, Importing and Counter Trade

Ch. 15, 16

Week 11

21st Oct

Global Production, Outsourcing and Logistics Ch. 17

Week 12

28th

Oct

Project Report Research Week

No Class Draft your Project

Report

Week 13

4th

Nov

Global Marketing and R&D Ch. 18

Assignment 2 due

Tuesday 4th

November


Many of them are available electronically through the University of Canberra library.

http://www.canberra.edu.au/library/

or directly http://zh9bf5sp6t.search.serialssolutions.com/?L=ZH9BF5SP6T&tab=JOURNALS

Others are available in hard copy at the National Library of Australia.

Journal of International Business Studies

Journal of World Business

International Business Review

Management International Review

Cross Cultural Management: An International Review

International Management

Journal of International Management

Asia Pacific Journal of Management

Journal of Business Research

Academy of Management Journal

Academy of Management Review

You must read this style of quality journal and avoid material found randomly on the internet.

4b Materials and equipment

Not Applicable

4c Unit website

To find your unit site online, login to LearnOnline(Moodle) using your student ID.

Note that your unit site has a profiles page that displays your name and email address for the benefit of

other students. If you prefer to hide your email address, click here for instructions.

5: Assessment

5a Assessment overview

Assessment has three components: a Assignment 1, A project Plan; Participation in Class Discussion;

and a Project Report. (There is no final examination in this unit).

Overall In order to pass this unit you must complete and submit each item of assessment, achieve at least 40%

(i.e. 24/60) in the Assignment 2: Project Report and record an overall mark of at least 50 per cent of

the total available marks in the unit

Assessment item

(including exams

held in the exam

period)

Due date of

assignments

Weighting

(total to equal

100%)

Addresses learning

outcome(s)

Related

generic

skill(s)

Assignment 1:

Project Plan (10

pages)

Tuesday 16th of

September 2014

30% 1,2,3,9,10,11 1,2,3,4,5

Participation in class

and responses to

questions.

Throughout the

semester

10% 1-11 1,2,3

Assignment 2:

Project Report (30

pages)

Tuesday 4th

November 2014

60% 1,2,3,9,10,11 1,2,3,4,5


UC Generic Skills

1 - Communication

2 - Analysis and Inquiry

3 - Problem Solving

4 - Working independently and with others

5 - Professionalism and Social Responsibility

5b Details of each assessment item

Participation in Class Discussion throughout the semester 10% This item of assessment requires regular attendance and engagement in the class. Grades are awarded

for regular participation in class and responses to discussion questions as well as other topical

material.

The written assessments in this unit involve the development of a Project Report. The project will be

submitted and assessed in two stages so that students will have the opportunity to use feedback from

the first stage in order to develop their work before final submission of the second (i.e. Final report)

stage.

Assignment 1: Report Plan Stage One 30%

Due Date: Tuesday 16th September

Length: Maximum 10 pages (1.5 line spacing with 12 point Times Roman font)

including all diagrams, tables and references.

Value: 30%

Topic/s: Report Planning: A major international business enterprise. This stage of the

project requires you to select a major international business enterprise and

examine its experience in the light of the concepts and theories introduced in

the unit so far. These chapters cover foundation concepts and selected aspects

of the environment of international business studies.

Details: The task is to create a Report Plan as a way of building your research skills by

adopting a systematic approach to the task. This involves library and electronic

database searching, description and evaluation of a range of sources, brief

summaries of material, analysis of the significance of data sources and steps

that will help you clarify and define the main issues relevant to the company

that you select.

This exercise will allow you to use your research sources to develop a viable

plan for research for the Project Report. (The skills learnt here should be

transferable to all other units you study).

You MUST NOT write an essay for this stage of the assignment; brief notes

are appropriate. You need to develop your research skills so that you can

construct a research plan and creates notes that explain how the material in the

listed chapters can be used to understand the experience of and challenges

facing your selected company.

Following these steps should help you complete Assignment One. Listed here

as A-F for your convenience.


A. Identify a major international business enterprise

Use the library data bases to be sure that you will be able to access and

understand the materials you require for the project. You will need to consider

several companies before making a final choice. A crucial consideration in your

choice will be the extent to which the company chosen allows you to explore its

experience using the concepts of this unit.

Explain why you have chosen this company? Some factors that might influence your choice are:

A firms role in the global pattern of trade

Comparative and competitive advantage as they apply to the firm

Does its activity represent some aspect of New Trade Theory? If so examine the implications of such theory for its pattern of international

businesses.

Theories of Foreign Direct Investment and the Eclectic Paradigm

Does the firm represent an example of the Stages Models of Internationalisation?

Its organisational form

Effects of and implications of culture, legal and economic systems in the countries in which the firm operates.

And other concepts or ideas from the relevant chapters of the Hill text.

Once you have settled on a company you should list the main issues that are

pertinent to this company and offer examples to illustrate. The emphasis that

you give to international business concepts will be depend upon the relevance

of each to the company that you have chosen. You need use your judgement

here and that judgement needs to be informed by careful reading of the text and

selected journal articles.

B. Search Library Catalogues

Consult a range of catalogues including University of Canberra and the

National Library of Australia (NLA). Data bases such as those for journals and

companies (e.g. Global Mint). These will contain books and articles relevant to

your chosen company and the generic international business issues that

confront that company.

C. Use quality items published on the internet:

Find some sources that meet these criteria

It is authoritative

The site is clear about its own sources and reliability

It is up to date or provide material that most likely not been published in other formats (e.g. refereed journals)

D. Statistics and secondary data used to illustrate your argument.

Look for suitable statistics and data to include in your report. Show the reader a

few examples of the types of evidence you will use in your Report. Cite the

sources and availability of the data, and show how you might compile and

display it. A summary table you have constructed or a diagram that richly

illustrates main points in your research would be ideal.

E. Progress so far time to pause and reflect.


Reflect and carefully evaluate your progress. Form a thesis or main line of

argument for your Project Report. Check that you have used the theory of the

early part of the unit to examine key issues confronting your company.

F. Plan for the Project Report

Now as the final step for the this Assignment One construct a plan with section

headings, sub-headings, bullet points or phrases and short paragraphs that

reflect your development of the report and your line of argument up to this

point. It needs to be more than a list of points; the reader should be able to

discern clearly your line of argument from your plan.

An assessment evaluation sheet will be provided on the Moodle site. Read it for

guidance on the presentation of your work. Check you have covered all the

points in this sheet before you hand in the assignment.

Take care to use correct citation methods: use Harvard Author/Date (Check the

UC library site for full information on these methods).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second assignment builds on this first one and you should use feedback to improve the

presentation on your material.

Assignment 2: The Project Report 60%

Due Date:

Length:

Tuesday 4th November

Maximum of 30 pages (1.5 line spacing with 12 point Times Roman font)

including all diagrams, tables and references.

Value:

60%

Topic/s:

Details:

Write the Project Report on your chosen Multinational Enterprise.

Provide the full Project Report on your chosen Multinational Enterprise

making use of the material from the whole unit that is most relevant to your

chosen case. The emphasis needs to be on the analysis of issues confronting the

firm and you need to use the theories and approaches of this unit to address

these issues.

The later chapters of the text complete the coverage of the business

environment and cover topics more focused on the behaviour, operations and

management on the international firm. You need to use the topics in these

chapters to assess the relevance of these concepts to your chosen case.

We will highlight many of the potential issues facing MNEs in class and the

Moodle site may be used to offer supplementary guidance if required.

Week 12 there is no formal class in this unit so that you will have time to work

on the draft of your Project Report.

An assessment evaluation and cover sheet will be provided on the Moodle site.

Read it for guidance on the presentation of your work. Check you have covered

all the points in this sheet before you hand in the assignment.


Take care to use correct citation methods: use Harvard Author/Date (Check the

UC library site for full information on these methods).

Purpose: The purpose of this set of assignments is to:

1. Develop your skills in business analysis using the theory developed in the

unit.

2. Develop literature search skills.

3. Develop skills in critical analysis.

4. Develop skills in writing project reports to and level including research and

referencing skills.

There will not be a final examination in this unit.

5c Submission of assessment items

All assessment items will be submitted online via the unit Moodle site. The first page of each

assessment submission should include the following information:

Student Name:

Student ID:

Assessment Name:

Word Count (if applicable):

5d Special assessment requirements

n/a

5e Supplementary assessment

Refer to the UC Supplementary Assessment Policy

5f Academic Integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good

scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are

dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Please see UC's Academic Integrity

Policy.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, it is expected that all students will complete

the LearnOnline Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of

study. The module is automatically available as a listed site when students log into

LearnOnline.

5g Use of text-matching software

The University of Canberra has available, through LearnOnline (Moodle), text-matching

software that helps students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understandings of

academic integrity. Known as URKUND, the software matches submitted text in student

assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals,


and previously submitted student texts. Click here for further information on the URKUND

text-matching software.

6: Student Responsibility

6a Workload

The amount of time you will need to spend on study in this unit will depend on a number of

factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level and learning style. Nevertheless, in

planning your time commitments you should note that for a 3cp unit the total notional

workload over the semester or term is assumed to be 150 hours. These hours include time

spent in classes. The total workload for units of different credit point value should vary

proportionally. For example, for a 6cp unit the total notional workload over a semester or term

is assumed to be 300 hours.

6b Inclusion and Welfare

Students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or other

circumstances should inform their Unit Convener or Inclusion and Welfare as soon as possible

so the necessary arrangements can be made.

6c Participation requirements

You are advised to attend all the seminars on the days as outlined above

6d Withdrawal

If you are planning to withdraw please discuss with your unit convener. Please see Withdrawal

of Units for further information on deadlines.

6e Required IT skills Basic Word Processing, Spreadsheet and internet search skills

6f In-Unit Costs

(Note: To calculate your unit fees see: How do I calculate my fees?.

The online UC Co-op Textbook Search is available for purchasing text books.)

6g Work placements, internships or practicums

NA

6h Additional information

See the Teaching and Learning Guide for the Unit for full detail of the questions for in class

discussion.

7: Student Feedback

All students enrolled in this unit will have an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on

the unit at the end of the Semester via the Unit Satisfaction Survey (USS) which you can

access by logging into MyUC via the UC homepage: http://www.canberra.edu.au/home/. Your

lecturer or tutor may also invite you to provide more detailed feedback on their teaching

through an anonymous questionnaire.


8: Authority of this Unit Outline

Any change to the information contained in Section 2 (Academic content), and Section 5

(Assessment) of this document, will only be made by the Unit Convener if the written

agreement of Head of Discipline and a majority of students has been obtained; and if written

advice of the change is then provided on the unit site in the learning management system. If

this is not possible, written advice of the change must be then forwarded to each student

enrolled in the unit at their registered term address. Any individual student who believes

he/her to be disadvantaged by a change is encouraged to discuss the matter with the Unit

Convener.

6241 International Business G S2 2014

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