Students

GMBA8012 – Be Global

2025 – Coursera term 3, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kheng Quek
kheng.quek@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
5
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GMBA or GradCertGlobalBusPrac
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Globalisation has fundamentally transformed the business landscape. Rapid changes in emerging economies present a number of implications for doing business. This unit enables students to develop and evaluate strategies for operating and competing on a global scale. It explores a range of factors such as global supply chain risk management, offshoring, and supplier selection. Students will also develop a strategic perspective on international business by understanding the design of logistics networks in different countries, as well as the importance of cultural diversification on the broader ecosystem. The unit examines questions such as: How should a global supply chain and its operations be managed? How can global supply chains ensure continuity of operations in light of various internal and external sources of disruptions? What are the main criteria to be considered for offshoring part of their operations to a different geographical location? What is the strategic logic that should inform such decisions, and what are the main risks to manage? And how do you decide which international markets to enter or avoid? Are cultural differences still an important consideration, and, if so, how do you manage them?

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Develop sound strategies for global supply chain management
  • ULO2: Analyse the key drivers of global supply chain effectiveness
  • ULO3: Create supply chain networks that are aligned with supply chain and business strategy of the firm
  • ULO4: Apply established theories in identifying the critical success factors, pitfalls, and risks of global supply chain management
  • ULO5: Evaluate the sustainability of global supply chain operations

General Assessment Information

Submission

You will submit your assessment tasks via your online unit on Coursera.

For individual submissions, please use the following naming convention for your file:

lastname-firstname-GMBAxxx-A1.* 

lastname-firstname-GMBAxxx-A2.*

For group submissions, please use the following naming convention for your file:

team-number-GMBAxxx-A1.* 

team-number-GMBAxxx-A2.* ​

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Extensions 

Please note that no extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission = 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. 

For any questions regarding your assignment submission or to apply for special consideration, please send an email to globalmba.support@mq.edu.au.

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Formatting instructions

These instructions pertain only to written assignments. In the case of other formats (e.g., slide decks) specific formatting instructions may apply. Written assignments should be in 11 point Arial font with 1.5 line spacing. Each page of the report should be numbered and have at minimum 2.5 cm margins from the left and right edges and top and bottom of the page. The word count is strictly enforced. The actual word length of the document, not including references or appendices, should be clearly stated on the title page of the report. Written assignments should have the following structure:

  1. A title page with the question, your student name and student number, word count of the text

  2. ​The body of the report structured with paragraphs and with appropriate headings and citations, with page numbers.

  3. Complete reference list of material cited in the text.

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Referencing

Please use the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th edition reference style. This means that when referring to an article or book etc, you indicate the author’s name followed by the year of publication (Jones, 1989). For multiple authors include all names (Jones, Smith, & Wilson, 1990). If you use a direct quote put the quoted words in “quotation marks” and include the page number with the reference (Jones, 1989, p. 76). A reference list should be presented in alphabetical order at the end of the paper. Further information on APA style is available at http://libguides.mq.edu.au/content.php?pid=85232&sid=634282

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Commercial in Confidence

Please note that you must not disclose any information marked ‘Commercial in Confidence’ without permission from the party who supplied it (e.g., your current or previous employer, customers, etc.). 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Supply Chain Evaluation - Group 60% No Monday 26th May 11:59pm(Sydney time)
Diagnostic Framework - Individual 40% No Monday 16th June at 11:59pm(Sydney time)

Supply Chain Evaluation - Group

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Monday 26th May 11:59pm(Sydney time)
Weighting: 60%

 

Length: Team report: 2,500 words (excl. references) Format: Individual reflection: max 500 words (incl. peer evaluation) Task: In teams of 3-4 students, you will: (i) prepare a 2,500 words word report evaluating a real-life supply chain (team submission) (ii) compose a 500 word reflection on learning (individual submission)

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop sound strategies for global supply chain management
  • Analyse the key drivers of global supply chain effectiveness
  • Create supply chain networks that are aligned with supply chain and business strategy of the firm
  • Apply established theories in identifying the critical success factors, pitfalls, and risks of global supply chain management
  • Evaluate the sustainability of global supply chain operations

Diagnostic Framework - Individual

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Monday 16th June at 11:59pm(Sydney time)
Weighting: 40%

 

Length: max 1,000 word individual report. Format: Written report Task: In this assignment, you will be asked to deliver a high level assessment of the supply chain design for a major international retailer.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop sound strategies for global supply chain management
  • Create supply chain networks that are aligned with supply chain and business strategy of the firm

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Required text

There is no required textbook for this unit.  Please refer to the weekly required  readings in your online unit. All readings are available via the Macquarie University library and do not need to be purchased separately.

Delivery method

This unit will be delivered entirely online via the Coursera Learning Management System. Access to a personal computer is required to access the resources and learning materials on Coursera.

Unit Schedule

Refer to Coursera for details of delivery.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.01R of the Handbook