Outline

Overview

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	Bo Nielsen, bo.nielsen@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release)	Final exam Short and long answer questions	40%	Formal exam period	48 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	International assignment Report, presentation	25%	Week 12 Due date: 16 Nov 2020 at 12:00 Closing date: 16 Nov 2020	10 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group based case analysis assignment	25%	Weekly	15 pages/30 min
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation participation	10%	Weekly	Weekly
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

Final Exam. The exam is individual. The exam will be an ONLINE exam based on a business case. It is open book exam and you are required to analyze the case utilizing the theories and models/frameworks provided in class.

International Assignment. Each student will choose a company (Australian or otherwise) and independently analyze its international operations. The purpose of this assignment is to gauge the student´s ability to apply concepts and theories from class in order to analyze why, where, how and when this firm engaged in international business. Particular emphasis should be paid to issues related to the role of institutional environments (home and host countries), industry competition and firm-level resources as sources of advantages/disadvantages in relation to internationalization. Student´s will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Quality of content and level of analysis, including coherence and consistency in argumentation;
Correct selection and utilization of concepts and theories from class in analysis;
Fact-based argumentation, including usage of qualitative and quantitative data;
Critical thinking, including high level of independent analysis as opposed to description;
Quality of communication, including writing skills and correct usage of references etc.

Group based case analysis: During some sessions you are required to prepare case analyses in groups. The groups alternate in preparing and presenting their view of case findings to the class. After the presentations, a discussion will take place about the contents of the presentations and how the readings enlighten the answers to the case. This set-up intends to promote a discussion of the interplay between the theory of the readings and the case and is designed to emulate the exam. The presenting group should always end with a few provocative/interesting/relevant questions in order to stimulate class debate. ALL STUDENTS MUST READ ALL CASES in order to be prepared for discussion.

Participation. This item is based on online participation both during lectures, case presentations and current event discussions as well as participation in discussions on the Canvas site (under discussions).

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction & how to do effective case analysis	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Business research methodology and skills seminar	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Why firms internationalize and the role of governments	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Risks, Resilience, and Rebalancing in Global Value Chains	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Where to go abroad: Location choice	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Subsidiary Management Across Borders	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Organization Structure and Control Systems	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Organizing International Activities	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Business Model Innovation & Blue Ocean Strategy	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Leveraging Knowledge Resources Globally	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Global Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	When to go aboard: Timing & Sequence	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Summary, wrap-up and exam preparation	Lecture (3 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

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

Additional information

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MIBS6004: Managing Global Operations

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect