Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to a range of analytical tools and skills to understand, unpack, evaluate and influence the future of business. A range of megatrends, issues, crisis and concerns (such as digitisation and technology, resource scarcity, demographic change and smart cities) confronting both the public and private sectors are examined and the ways in which they can be addressed are explored. The unit of study has two main purposes. Firstly, to build problem-solving skills which allow students to think creatively about the future needs of stakeholders; and secondly to develop students' ability to work efficiently in a team environment. The unit provides a variety of learning experiences through which students get to practice these skills in the digital space and reflect on their experiences. This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Management programs.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business Information Systems
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MMGT6100
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Steven Hitchcock, steven.hitchcock@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 October 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Assessment 4 - Final Presentation Group task (75%) with individual component (25%)	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 20 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Dec 2026	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Assessment 3 - Civil Dialogue Discussion Group task (50%) with individual component (50%)	30%	Week 11 Due date: 22 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Nov 2026	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Assessment 1 - Weekly Quizzes Multiple choice quizzes, closed book (2% per quiz * 5 weeks)	10%	Weekly	10 minutes per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Assessment 2b - Fieldwork Portfolio Short written and visual notes (2% per week * 5 weeks)	10%	Weekly	Two pages completed per week.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Assessment 2a - Participation and Engagement Meaningful participation and engagement in class (4% per week * 5 weeks)	20%	Weekly	N/A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 - Weekly Quizzes: In-class closed-book quizzes assessing understanding of key concepts from pre-work through short, individual responses completed each week of the intensive.
Assessment 2a - Participation and Engagement: Ongoing assessment of individual engagement in class activities and discussions, based on the quality, consistency, and relevance of contributions.
Assessment 2b - Fieldwork Portfolio: An individual portfolio of short visual and written outputs derived from in-class and fieldwork activities, demonstrating application of concepts, reflection, and critical reasoning.
Assessment 3 - Civil Dialogue Discussion: A scenario-based interactive oral assessment in which students engage in structured civil dialogue in small groups. Assessed through both the quality of group interaction (50%) and each student’s individual contribution and responses (50%). Each group can book their one-hour interactive oral with the coordinator during Week 11 on either Monday 19 October or Thursday 22 October. Bookings are offered on a first-in, first-served basis. Each will be digitally recorded for review and moderation purposes.
Assessment 4 - Final Presentation: A group video presentation wherein students apply unit concepts to a specified topic/site of study. Assessed through the quality of the collective argument (75%) and each student’s individual communication in their respective section(s) (25%).

Detailed information, instructions, and rubrics 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.

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:

Standard University policies apply in accordance with Assessment Procedures (2024).

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.

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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 09	Sustainability Claims and Evidence	Workshop (8 hr)
Week 10	Gender and Consumer Experience	Workshop (8 hr)
Week 11	Automation and Value Capture	Workshop (8 hr)
Week 12	Narratives of Place and Power	Workshop (8 hr)
Week 13	Integration and Transfer	Workshop (8 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This is a collaborative and project-based unit so quantity and quality of participation and engagement are pivotal for success in the unit.
Students are assessed in-class, in real-time against a rubric available on Canvas.
Each student will receive a grade for each week.
Students will be provided with feedback regularly, and are invited to speak to their teacher directly at any time for additional support and feedback.
Students should ensure that they review the rubric carefully on Canvas to ensure you are clear on how you are being assessed.
If a student is absent for more than 20% of the total contact time for a week (i.e. due to late arrival, long absence, or early departure), they will not be able to receive a passing grade for that class per the rubric.
Any absences will be treated as a did not attempt. Students should seek Special consideration and arrangements if they are absent due to exceptional circumstances, essential commitments, and/or events outside your control.
There is no remote option offered for this unit.
There are no lecture or class recordings.

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

Please see Canvas for a full reading list.
Most weeks have between 1 and 2 required readings.
Content in the required readings is assesable in the Weekly Quizzes (Assessment 1).
Some weeks also have recommended readings. These are optional and will generaelly be covered in-class that week. These are provided for students who are interested in additional depth/context.
Content in the recommended readings is not assessable in Weekly Quizzes (Assessment 1).

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. apply theories, tools and methods to emerging business situations in order to critically analyse them, deconstruct them, make predictions and evaluate appropriate courses of action
LO2. question, assess and respond independently and creatively to assumptions, propositions and debates regarding the future of business
LO3. articulate effectively complex concepts and ambiguous situations using a range of methods and communication media
LO4. use a range of communication tools, media and strategies to communicate, reach agreement with others and provide responses to complex and unfamiliar emerging business problems.

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.

The overall course structure, weekly activities, and assessments have been substantively reworked in order to update the unit, and offer a more dynamic and engaging experience for students.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Work, health and safety

This unit includes fieldwork.
Students are expected to act in line with local laws and customs.
Students will be briefed on university work, health and safety requirements.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MMGT6688: The Future of Business

Semester 2b, 2026 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links