Outline

Overview

This 12 credit point unit of study is a two-week intensive international module in which you will have the opportunity to study and work in a different country. While the focus of the modules will vary according to location, some of the key themes that are likely to be addressed in the international module include the leadership and management challenges of entering new markets, managing across cultures and regulatory environments, identifying and realising new opportunities and management and coordination challenges in multinational firms. As part of the module, you will be working in a small team to provide strategic advice to an organisation. At the end of the module, you will be asked to present a detailed analysis and recommendations to this client. To support your project work you will work with leading academics and industry experts on the ground in the country in which the module takes place.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	SMBA6001 and SMBA6002
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wei Li, li.wei1@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Scoping document A project scoping document that aligns expectations between your consulting team, your faculty advisor, and your corporate client in China.	20%	Week 06 Due date: 13 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 23 Sep 2026	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Group presentation Immediately following the fieldwork, each team will deliver a 20-minute presentation to a panel comprising the client, industry experts and academic staff in Shanghai.	10%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 26 Sep 2026	20 minutes solutions presentation	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Q&A Following the group presentation, students will participate in a live Q&A with a panel. Students are expected to explain and justify their analysis and recommendations, respond to questions regarding the rationale, feasibility and implications.	10%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 26 Sep 2026	approximately 15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Client report Written report	30%	Week 11 Due date: 25 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Nov 2026	4000-6000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective essay Reflective essay	30%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Nov 2026	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Scoping document: The purpose of the scoping document is to prepare your team for your meetings with the host company in China. This document serves to prevent scope creep, outline your on-site agenda, and ensure your team delivers realistic, high-impact recommendations within the tight timeframe.
Group presentation: The group presentations on the final day conclude the formal program in Shanghai. The group presentation is an opportunity to communicate the progress your team has made to your peers and receive feedback from your peers and instructors. The purpose of the presentations is to create a collective learning experience. You should use the group presentation to explain the process by which you agreed on the project plan for the client report, what problems you had to overcome and what results you expect to achieve in the client report.
Client report: As part of your program in Shanghai, you will meet with executives of the host company and discuss with them a detailed project brief on which to base your client report. The project brief should emerge from your discussions and be agreed with the host company. The client report is a consultancy report with an actionable set of recommendations on the problem you have mutually agreed to investigate with the host company, considering your understanding of the specific capabilities of the host company. You should expect your project plan to take shape during your discussions with the host company as a result of the mutual assessment of capabilities.
Reflective essay: This individual piece of work is an opportunity for you to identify some of the key themes that emerged from the unit of study and to explore and explain how these key themes are of relevance to your industry and your professional development. It is expected that you will identify a range of themes during the unit of study and that you will provide a well-structured and articulated essay based on the concepts and experiences you have encountered in China. You will have the opportunity to discuss your reflective essay with the unit of study coordinators while in China and on your return on an individual basis.

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.

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
-	First Preparation Stage Meeting 1. Introduction and background briefing on China business project; 2. Business in China: entrepreneurship and competition; 3. Dealing with Chinese clients; 4. Business culture, networks and hierarchies; 5. Business culture role play	Lecture (4 hr)
	Second Preparation Stage Meeting 1. Managing Chinese companies in Australia; 2. Globalising Chinese enterprises 3. Introduction of project companies 4. Forming groups and projects, design thinking workshop with local Chinese partners	Lecture (4 hr)
	Third Preparation Stage Meeting: Group presentations of Project Plan. Feedback on Project Plans	Lecture (4 hr)
	Lectures and guest lectures on Chinese culture and society	Lecture (7 hr)
	Lectures and guest lectures on Chinese economic and business environment	Lecture (7 hr)
	Scheduled meetings with Chinese host companies	Placement (7 hr)
	Scheduled meetings with Chinese host companies in China	Fieldwork (7 hr)
	Lectures, guest lectures, project work	Fieldwork (7 hr)
	Lectures, guest lectures, project work	Fieldwork (7 hr)
	project work, preparation of presentations	Self-directed learning (7 hr)
	Final group presentations	Demonstration (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Where group assessments are worth more than 30% of the overall assessment weight for a grade, it is mandatory that each student fills out a Peer Evaluation Form. We see this as best practice and will implement this process for all teams. The relevant link and instructions for Peer Evaluation will be provided to you on LMS.

Note that MBA classes are not systematically recorded and 100% class attendance is expected for each unit of the MBA Program. If there are extenuating circumstances as to why you are not able to attend a particular class, please contact your Unit Coordinator as soon as possible, and also notify your group members (if the Unit has a group work component).

A course requirement is 80% attendance, and those who drop below this level may not pass the unit.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 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. demonstrate an understanding of the key factors that are shaping the globalisation strategies of Chinese enterprises and the implications of this globalisation process for Australian businesses
LO2. critically evaluate the Chinese business system in its three business strategy dimensions (firms, markets, institutions) from an Australian perspective
LO3. combine generic skills in business analysis and problem solving with knowledge of Chinese management practices to solve a complex real world business problem
LO4. demonstrate the ability to negotiate a project plan with a Chinese management team and communicate the project outcome in a manner that is appropriate for a Chinese business partner
LO5. demonstrate the ability to conduct team-based project work with a Chinese business partner
LO6. critically reflect on this learning experience and identify ways in which it influences your practice as a manager and leader.

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.

Due to COVID, this unit has been redesigned in 2020 to take place in Sydney.

Additional information

Business School Policies

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

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

SMBA6101: International Business Project

Semester 2, 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

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