Unit outline_

IBUS6008: Export Management

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Exporting is a key international business activity, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This unit covers both the theory and practice of export management. The main areas covered in the unit are: 1) preparing to export (export stimulation, export readiness and planning), 2) forming and maintaining relationships with intermediaries (including legal considerations), 3) managing risks and export finance, 4) filling export orders. The unit, therefore, covers both the operational and strategic challenges associated with the exporting process.

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 Michael Murphree, michael.murphree@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam
? 
Final exam
Short and extended answer questions
30% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Contribution Class Participation
Case study, Participation, written and oral assessments.
10% Ongoing To be completed by coordinator AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Written work Individual Assignment
Reflective Essay on the Assigned Readings and/or Cases + LinkedIn Profile
25% Week 07
Due date: 19 Sep 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 26 Sep 2025
3000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement group assignment Group Project 1: Q&A Following Presentation
Q&A following presentation
5% Week 13
Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 14:59

Closing date: 07 Nov 2025
5 minutes AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group Project 1: Presentation Component
Group Presentation on 1) Export into Australia, or 2) Export from Australia to Elsewhere
10% Week 13
Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 14:59

Closing date: 07 Nov 2025
20 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Written work group assignment Group Project 1: Report Component
Submission of report on 1) Export into Australia, or 2) Export from Australia to Elsewhere
20% Week 13
Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 14 Nov 2025
5000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual Written Assignments: Students will prepare a written report based on selected topics and readings as well as complete a trade- or career-relevant LinkedIn profile.
  • Group Project: Students will complete a proposal for exporting to or from Australia, complete with business plan and preparation for success in the target market. This will include a written report as well as a presentation with live Q&A.
  • Final Exam: The final exam will be short- and long-answer based on topics from the unit. This is a final assurance of learning.
  • Class participation: Students will need to prepare for all class sessions by completing reading in advance and come ready to discuss, question and challenge. Silent presence is not enough to recieve particaption marks.

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 The Current Global Trade Environment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Export readiness and pre-export behaviour Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 04 Market selection and planning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Incoterms/freight and sales contract Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6
Week 06 Pricing/shipping contracts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6
Week 07 Initiating and managing export relationship Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 08 Payment & documentation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6
Week 09 Export management and trade finance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 10 Service, online exporting, B2B and E-Commerce Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Legal dimension of exporting Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 12 Export strategy and sustaining export effort into the future Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 13 Final Presenations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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

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

  • Corinne Campbell, Guide to Importing and Exporting, 2019 edition.

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. assess a firm's export readiness and develop an export plan
  • LO2. initiate and manage relationships with foreign intermediaries
  • LO3. identify and manage the legal and financial risks associated with exporting
  • LO4. respond appropriately to the specific contexts of exporting services and online exporting
  • LO5. assess a firm's export performance
  • LO6. fill an export order, including the correct use of Incoterms, export documentation and procedures.

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.

I have made some minor adjustments to the weekly topic flow and provided additional clarification on the assessments and the included components in respective assessments.

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.