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Unit of study_

MIBS6004: Managing Global Operations

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

While Global Strategy (MIBS6003) lays out the concepts and theory relevant to a firms' entry into a new market, this unit focuses on how to successfully implement and manage foreign market operations. The key question addressed is how to design business models that allow a company to adapt to unique host country conditions, and operate successfully and sustainably across a range of diverse markets. The unit draws on knowledge previously gained regarding the diversity among cultures and among various international markets (MIBS6001 and MIBS6002). It focuses on issues related to designing environment-appropriate business models and on the challenges of business model innovation in light of dynamic global change. To complement the conceptual discussions, students gain first-hand experience in launching the overseas operations of a business.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MIBS6004
Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
MIBS6001 and MIBS6002
Corequisites
? 
MIBS6003
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Majid Abdi, majid.abdi@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Majid Abdi, majid.abdi@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
Short and long answer questions
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation (class and case discussions)
Participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
In-semester test Mid-semester exam
Take-home exam
20% Week 07
Closing date: 20 Apr 2020
3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO3
Assignment group assignment International group project (including peer-evaluation)
Report, presentation
25% Week 12
Due date: 25 May 2020 at 12:00

Closing date: 25 May 2020
3000 words, 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment group assignment Group assignment (case analysis)
Presentation
15% Weekly 15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester exam: This will be a closed book assessment covering lectures up to the teaching week before the exam.
  • Group assignment (case analysis): During some sessions, you are required to prepare case analyses in groups. Each group will be involved twice: (i) as the presenting group (10% of the course value) and (ii) as the opponent group (5% of the course value) to debate the perspectives of the presenting team. The groups alternate in preparing and presenting their view of case findings to the class. The dates when each group takes the role of presenting and opponent team will be pre-determined.
  • Participation (class and case discussions): This item assesses you based on your contributions to class discussion. To claim this item, you should self-assess your contribution to class discussions at the end of each lecture. The self-assessment form is available in Canvas and will be distributed in class on a weekly basis. Please upload a recent image of yourself to Canvas so that the instructor can recognise and form an independent judgment of your participation.
  • International group project (including peer-evaluation): This assessment item will be performed in teams of 5-6 students. Each team acts as international managers in charge of the global operations of a multinational company (MNC). Teams are required to think critically about managing global operations of their firm. Explain how your firm can perform its key functions in order to compete and succeed in the international business environment. Groups are expected to use the course frameworks in their information search and analysis. 
  • Final exam: The final exam is a closed-book assessment and will test your understanding of and the ability to apply key concepts and knowledge you have learned from the unit. It is based on the material covered in this unit, including assigned readings and lecture slides. The final exam includes both short- and long-answer questions. 

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 1. Introduction to the unit and introduction to the case-study method; 2. Value chain and integration - local responsiveness grid Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Business model innovation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Business model across borders & blue ocean strategy Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Global marketing (I) Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Global marketing (II) Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Global sourcing & production (I): outsourcing vs. vertical integration Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Mid-term exam & Project consultation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Global sourcing & production (II): offshoring & value-chain configuration Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Financial management in MNE Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Leveraging knowledge resources globally Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Managing globally dispersed work Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 International project team presentations Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Class review and final exam preparation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recording: 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.

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. evaluate and explain concepts, frameworks, and theories in the domain of managing global operations
  • LO2. identify, collect, classify, evaluate, and utilise useful information about the domain of managing global operations
  • LO3. analyse the complex decision-making processes related to the management of international business operations.

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

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