Students

BUS 301 – Global Business Strategy

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Yue Wang
Contact via Email
Please view consultation hours via iLearn - https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level or above including BUS202
Corequisites Corequisites
3cp from BUS or BBA units at 300 level
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the key business policy decisions in managing an international business including: sources of competitive advantage in international competition; foreign market entry strategies; international strategic alliances; global competitive dynamics; product and geographic diversification strategies; multinational organisational structures; and international corporate governance systems. By the end of the unit students should have an improved understanding of the process of developing a strategy for an international business as well the key factors in the firm and its external environment that must be considered.

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:

  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and theories in global business strategy
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Group presentation 30% No Weeks 7-13
Individual Assignment 30% No Week 10
Final Exam 40% No University examination period

Group presentation

Due: Weeks 7-13
Weighting: 30%

Group Presentation Assessment Summary Task Description The presentation mark (30% of the subject total) is composed of two parts: a group mark (15%) and an individual mark (15%). The group presentation requires students to search additional information (e.g. journals, newspapers and other media outlets) relevant to their presentation topics. Beyond addressing the case questions, students are encouraged to raise and/or solve additional research questions based on for example updated information about the case. The presentation will be followed by audience questions and discussions chaired by your tutor. Type of Collaboration Group Submission Presentations in tutorial. Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page. Length 35-45 minutes depending on the number of students in the group and the number of questions for the case Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Students who failed to participate in the group presentations will receive a mark of zero. No extensions will be granted.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and theories in global business strategy
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Individual Assignment

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%

Individual Assignment Assessment Summary Task Description Each student will need to prepare a written assignment essay on a case study. The assignment requires students to conduct original research, which involves the collection and analysis of information from a range of sources. Students should search information (e.g. from newspapers and other media outlets) relevant to the case and analyse the case through reference to concepts and frameworks introduced in the unit. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Please Submit Via Turnitin Link on iLearn. Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length 2000 words Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% deduction). Late submissions will be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.

This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Final Exam

Due: University examination period
Weighting: 40%

Final Exam Assessment Summary Task Description A final examination is included as an assessment task for this unit to provide assurance that the product belongs to the student and the student has attained the knowledge and skills tested in the exam. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. Format Please refer to the iLearn Unit page  Length 3 hours Inherent Task Requirements None Late Submission

Please see  Assessment Policy Schedule 4.

The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time in the University Examination Timetable is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for special consideration. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and theories in global business strategy
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business

Delivery and Resources

Required text

There is no prescribed textbook for the unit. But students MUST purchase Unit Reader from the university bookshop. Throughout this course students are expected to read all materials in the Unit Reader.

Unit web page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Technology Used and Required Students are required to use iLearn, word processing, Turnitin, and powerpoint for presentation.
Delivery Format and Other Details
  • Number and length of classes: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial, i.e. 3 hours face to face per week unless indicated otherwise in the lecture schedule. Classes may vary due to public holiday(s)
  • Tutorials will commence in Week 2 
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Recommended readings
  • Besanko, D., Dranove, D., S. Schaefer, and M. Shanley, 2016. Economics of Strategy, 7th edition, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (or earlier editions)
  • Peng, M., 2017. Global Strategy, 4th edition, Cengage Learning. (or earlier editions) 

Recommended journals and periodicals

  • The Economist: http://www.economist.com
  • Far Eastern Economic Review: http://www.feer.com/
  • Harvard Business Review: http://www.hbr.com
  • Journal of International Business Studies: http://www.jibs.net/
  • Management International Review: http://link.springer.com/journal/11575
  • Journal of International Management: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-international-management/

Unit Schedule

Week

Lecture Topic

Tutorial Activities

1

Introduction

No tutorial

2

Competitive Advantages in IB

Forming groups and Discussion questions

3

Strategic organisation of IB Activities (1)

Discussion questions

4

Strategic organisation of IB Activities (2)

Discussion questions

5

IT and IB Strategy

Discussion questions

6

Managing internationalisation process

Discussion questions

7

Guest Lecture

Group 1 presentation

- Mid Session Break  

8

MNE strategies, structures and subsidiary roles

Group 2 presentation

9

MNE Corporate-level strategic planning tools

Group 3 presentation

10

MNE Business-level strategic planning tools

Group 4 presentation

11

International corporate governance

Group 5 presentation

12

International business ethics

Group 6 presentation

13

Course review

Group 7 presentation

 

N.B. This unit schedule is subject to change; a separate handout will be distributed in the first tutorial in week 2, detailing the discussion questions and case studies for group presentations

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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 ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and theories in global business strategy
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Assessment tasks

  • Group presentation
  • Individual Assignment
  • Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and theories in global business strategy
  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Assessment tasks

  • Group presentation
  • Individual Assignment
  • Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Interpret, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of theoretical concepts and viewpoints and apply them to solve key strategic issues in global business
  • Produce and deliver a persuasive analysis in reflective writing and oral presentation for cases/issues related to global business strategy, both individually and in a team

Assessment tasks

  • Group presentation
  • Individual Assignment

Research & Practice, Global & Suntainability

The research used in the unit:

The group presentation requires students to search additional information (e.g. newspapers and other media outlets) relevant to their presentation topics

The assignment requires students to conduct original research on a case study, which involves the collection and analysis of information from a range of sources including academic journals, business magazines, newspapers and other media outlets.

 

The global contexts:

The unit introduces most prominent theories in the disciplines of International Business and Strategy and offers students opportunities to apply the disciplinary knowledge in the context of global business environment through for example completing an assignment on a case study related to a multinational company's global strategies. 

 

The sustainability contexts:

The unit introduces well-established theories and cutting-edge debates related to international corporate governance and business ethics that have important implications for corporate and societal sustainability.