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Unit of study_

IBUS6006: Comparative International Management

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The economic regions of East Asia, North America, and the European Union are the homes of most of the world's largest 500 corporations. They account for a large majority of world exports. They provide most of the world's outward flows of foreign direct investment, and in addition, they are the recipients of most of inward FDI flows. However, these countries are very different, in firm structure, in regulatory environment, and in the relations between private firms and government agencies. Dealing with them as competitors, customers, suppliers, or partners requires international managers to be aware of these differences and to vary their strategies accordingly. This unit compares the structure and operations of triad firms and the ways that government agencies frame the operating environment in each region. The unit looks at the ways firms in each region seek competitive advantage, and how governments have supported them. In addition to the specific industry knowledge and case studies, the techniques of analysis developed in this unit are applicable to a wide range of managerial situations across the global economy.

Unit details and rules

Unit code IBUS6006
Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Connie Chan, chui.chan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Answer three short essays, approximately 250 words each.
30% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam Mid Semester Test
Multiple choice quiz
20% Week 07
Due date: 16 Oct 2020 at 18:00
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Group Written Report
Research project on selected industry/countries.
20% Week 10
Due date: 02 Nov 2020 at 18:00
1000 words written report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Group Presentation
Verbal presentation; Q&A
10% Week 10
Due date: 02 Nov 2020 at 18:00
10 slides; 10 minute presentation + Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Commentary
Written task
10% Week 12
Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 18:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Participation in class and Canvas Discussions
Class and written discussions.
10% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester test: Students are assessed on their understanding of the concepts and contents learned in the first part of the semester.   
  • Final exam: This exam assesses your analysis and comprehension of substantive materials covered in the entire semester.  
  • Group research project: You will work in small groups researching a comparative management topic which will be submitted as a written report and 10 slides on Canvas before class in Week 10. In this project, you will choose an industry and compare the management practices and institutional environments of the industry in two different countries.
  • Commentary: After all the groups have presented, each student will write a short reflective and analytical report base on your understanding of another group’s research. 
  • Participation: Students learn progressively by engaging in class discussions and posting on Canvas. The quality of your contribution and positive engagement are important criteria for this assessment. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 Introduction Lecture (3 hr) LO4
Week 02 Societies and culture Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 03 National business systems Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Leadership and human resource management Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 05 National innovation systems Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Institutions and regimes Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Multinational corporations Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Corporate governance Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Production/operations management Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Networks and Clusters Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Globalisation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Insights and Conclusion Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5

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 well or that every class will be recorded. Students are encouraged to attend and participate in all the classes.

Tutorials: Students who are unable to attend certain sessions should apply for Special Consideration and inform the tutor. Tutorial proceedings are not recorded and it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with course contents, readings and discussions.  

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

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

Essential textbook

  • Arndt Sorge, Niels Noorderhaven, and Carla I. Koen, Comparative International Management, 2nd Edition. (Routledge, 2015). ISBN-13: 978-0415744836.

Supplementary textbook

  • Frank B. Tipton, Asian Firms: History, Institutions, Management (Edward Elgar, 2008).

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. apply knowledge of how history shaped different countries' organisational culture and the relevance to business management
  • LO2. analyse a country's attractiveness for different industries
  • LO3. explain why some national environments provide a stronger competitive advantage for certain industries than they do for others
  • LO4. describe how the institutional, historical, and managerial grids overlap to shape overall business culture in different countries
  • LO5. assess the institutional factors that can shape management within different countries
  • LO6. work in diverse groups to investigate historic, institutional, and managerial grids of different industries around the world.

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.

Minor 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.