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Unit outline_

IBUS1101: Global Business

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides the foundational knowledge in international business. The focus is on understanding the strategy of firms in the context of increasing globalization of markets and production. Students gain knowledge about multinational enterprises from the developed and developing economies, theories and frameworks explaining foreign direct investment and trade and country and firm level factors that impact global strategy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Noman Shaheer, noman.shaheer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
Written exam
40% Formal exam period 2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Tutorial participation
Participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-semester test Mid-semester exam
Short answer questions
20% Week 06 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group assignment
Simulation performance, Presentation and Report
30% Weekly 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial participation: Students are expected to have read the assigned materials and come prepared with comments in tutotial discussions and address questions posed by the tutor. Students are encouraged to articulate and participate actively in the discussions. 
  • Mid-semester exam: The mid-semester assessment contains multiple choice questions on topics covered in the lectures, assigned readings, and tutorial activities up to the time of the assessment. This is a test of students’ understanding and application of key concepts. This is a closed book exam.
  • Group assignment: The group project contains a business simulation in which students will form teams that will compete against each other. 10% marks will be assigned on team performance in cimulation, 10% marks will be assigned for presentations in class out of which 5% marks will be awarded for a convincing presentation to shareholders and 5% marks for reflections on learning during simulations. 10% marks will be awarded for a 1,000-word written report submitted by each team summarizing the learnings from the simulation.
  • Final exam: The final exam comprises multiple-choice questions, 1 Essay question and a case study. The exam requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of topics covered in the course and communicate this effectively. The exam will include all material covered in the course: reading materials, lectures, discussions and cases/activities/exercises in class. This is a closed book exam.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

No Late submission is allowed.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is global/international business? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 02 Distance and frictions Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Cultural simulation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 National cultures Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 05 International trade and national competitiveness Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Political and legal risks and non-market strategies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 08 The need for global strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Multinational corporations and foreign entry modes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Organising multinational corporations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 The transnational challenge Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Contemporary topics in international business Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Leading a global career Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Cavusgil, Tamer S.; Knight, Gary; Riesenberger, John (2017). International Business. The New Realities. Pearson, Global Edition.

All further readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. define and explain key theories and concepts in international business management at a foundational level. Demonstrate an understanding of the variety of approaches to international business. Understand and explain the global context of firms as they expand and operate across borders
  • LO2. identify differences across borders that impact the way firms conduct business. Analyse challenges and opportunities for firms in the multinational environment. Identify unique problems that emerge when firms cross cultural, national, and political borders
  • LO3. communicate effectively and professionally using a range of oral communication modes in global business contexts. Source, interpret, and use relevant data and research from a range of academic sources and media internationally
  • LO4. consider and propose recommendations relating to a variety of global business situations/problems referring to relevant international strategies
  • LO5. recognise and understand cultural differences in how people and firms respond to various situations. Use cultural knowledge to adapt to multiple international business contexts
  • LO6. understand how different aspects of business change and may be interpreted differently across national borders. Evaluate issues of business culture, ethics and social responsibility across borders
  • LO7. work effectively in multicultural and multinational groups. Develop oral and written communication skills that allow students to communicate concepts, theories, and ideas in a multicultural and multinational context. Demonstrate ability to influence people from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.