Students

MGMT2016 – Business Demographics

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Fei Guo
fei.guo@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
70cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Demographic factors are important in affecting market segmentation and business behaviour. Managers in private and public sectors often utilise and analyse relevant demographic data to assist their decision making. In this unit, students learn the application of a range of demographic techniques in analysing and understanding market segmentation and demographically diverse business behaviour. Students are provided with access to the major sources of demographic data and employ data analytics tools. Contemporary demographic issues are examined in a range of contexts.

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: Identify and describe demographic concepts and techniques to analyse consumer populations in Australia and other countries.
  • ULO2: Gain practical skills on evaluating data, information and literature to solve problems.
  • ULO3: Analyse aspects of sustainable development, such as the impacts of demographic changes on resources, consumption, and business decision making.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/ presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional practice: Population change 35% No 4 April 2025
Professional practice: Demographic and socio-economic factors 35% No 30 May 2025
Formal and observed learning: Exam 30% No University examination period

Professional practice: Population change

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 4 April 2025
Weighting: 35%

 

The purpose of this assessment is to develop your ability to apply demographic theories, concepts and techniques in analysing population changes and the impacts and developing students’ critical research, data analysis and problem-solving skills.   You will analyse population change in a case country by applying relevant demographic concepts and techniques and empirical evidence, including statistics and research literature, to explore the effects of demographic changes on business and society.   Skills in focus: Application of relevant theories, concepts and techniques Analytical thinking and data analysis skills Critical thinking skills Communication and academic writing skills   Deliverable: Written report [max. 1,500 words] Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe demographic concepts and techniques to analyse consumer populations in Australia and other countries.
  • Gain practical skills on evaluating data, information and literature to solve problems.
  • Analyse aspects of sustainable development, such as the impacts of demographic changes on resources, consumption, and business decision making.

Professional practice: Demographic and socio-economic factors

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30 May 2025
Weighting: 35%

 

The purpose of this assessment is to develop your ability to analyse the relationships between demographic factors and social economic factors, including employment and income, in different geographic regions.   You will analyse demographic, occupational, and income-related aspects of different geographic regions by applying relevant demographic concepts and techniques and using data from censuses or other reliable sources.   Skills in focus: Application of relevant theories, concepts and techniques Analytical thinking and data analysis skills Critical thinking skills Communication and academic writing skills   Deliverable: Written report [max. 1,500 words] Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe demographic concepts and techniques to analyse consumer populations in Australia and other countries.
  • Gain practical skills on evaluating data, information and literature to solve problems.

Formal and observed learning: Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for students to demonstrate the expertise they have gained in this unit.   You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips.   Deliverable: Formal exam Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe demographic concepts and techniques to analyse consumer populations in Australia and other countries.
  • Gain practical skills on evaluating data, information and literature to solve problems.
  • Analyse aspects of sustainable development, such as the impacts of demographic changes on resources, consumption, and business decision making.

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

Please see iLearn for details.

Unit Schedule

Week

 Topics

Assessments

 1

 Introduction to Business Demographics: Basic Demographic    

 Measurements and Concepts

 

 2

 Demographic Dimension of Business: Markets and

 Consumers

  

 3

 Population Growth, Sustainability and Change of Markets

 

 4

 Life Cycle of Consumers

 

 5

 Analysing Census Data Using TableBuilder

 

 6

 Market Segmentation and Income Distribution 

Assessment 1 due 

 7

 Market Segmentation: Age, Gender and Cohort Preferences  

 

 

Recess (15 April – 25 April 2025)

 

 8

 Demographics of Labour Force and Employment

 

 9

 Business Locational Analysis and Planning

 

 10

 Demographic Changes and Housing Demand

 

 11

 Ageing and Demand for Aged Care

  

 12

 Demographics of Emerging Markets of China and India

Assessment 2 due

 13

 Revision and Conclusion

 

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Results

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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.

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Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook