Students

MGMT340 – International Study Tour - China

2019 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Fei Guo
fei.guo@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Please view consultation hours via iLearn - https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(36cp at 100 level or above) and permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit develops knowledge and understanding of the international business environment and business operations in foreign markets through first-hand observation of businesses in China. It is designed for students with a background knowledge of, and interest in, business processes in an international context. The unit includes a series of seminars and a two week study tour to China in the mid-session break, and enables students to develop an appreciation of the ways in which business operations and business systems differ across national boundaries. Students are required to prepare a written assignment based on the seminar series, and prepare a report at the end of the study tour based on their observations of the businesses and of the country. This unit requires students to attend a supervised study tour for which additional costs are involved. Contact the Department of Marketing and Management for full details.

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:

  • Recognize and understand key concepts and theories discussed in the literature of doing business in China
  • Gain practical knowledge and experience on conducting academic research to analyse real-world cases
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets
  • Apply the above knowledge and skills to develop effective strategies and solutions
  • Explain and communicate problems and solutions in team work environment

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Participation 15% No Ongoing
Field Trip Participation 25% No Ongoing
The Major Project 60% No Weeks 6, 12, 13

Class Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%

Class Participation Assessment Summary Task Description This assessment includes attendance to pre-trip seminars and active participation in class discussion and activities. Students are expected to attend ALL pre-trip seminars to gain sufficient background knowledge and information of doing business in China. Weekly attendance will be recorded and contribution to the group learning in lectures will be observed. Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Ongoing Format Participation Length   Inherent Task Requirements In addition to physical attendance, quality participation is required Late Submission No extensions will be granted. Students who have not participated in the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of '0', except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. 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:
  • Recognize and understand key concepts and theories discussed in the literature of doing business in China
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets

Field Trip Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 25%

Class Participation Assessment Summary Task Description

Students are required to attend ALL company visits scheduled for the study tour and actively participate in all activities during the field trip.

Students will be assessed by a number of criteria, including punctual arrivals at all business visits, full participation in all activities, positive contribution to group discussions and engagement with business hosts, demonstration of positive attitude toward learning, self-discipline and demonstration of cultural sensitivity on all occasions. On-spot observation and record will be conducted throughout the field trip.

Type of Collaboration Individual Submission Ongoing Format Participation Length   Inherent Task Requirements In addition to physical attendance, quality participation is required Late Submission

No extensions will be granted. Students who have not participated in the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of '0', except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. 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:
  • Gain practical knowledge and experience on conducting academic research to analyse real-world cases
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets

The Major Project

Due: Weeks 6, 12, 13
Weighting: 60%

The Major Project Assessment Summary Task Description

This group project requires students to read, observe and identify an interesting and important phenomenon in relation to China, and develop analytical and critical thinking to propose solutions/suggestions for future development of China, as inspired by the phenomenon observed.

This project is composed of 3 stages of work, including pre-trip report (individual, 10%), post-trip report (individual, 20%) and presentation (group, 30%).

Type of Collaboration Group and Individual Submission Please submit reports via Turnitin link on iLearn. In class presentation. Format Please refer to the iLearn unit page. Length   Inherent Task Requirements   Late Submission No extensions will be granted for reports. 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). 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. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted. No extensions will be granted for presentations. Students who have not completed the task on the scheduled day will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognize and understand key concepts and theories discussed in the literature of doing business in China
  • Gain practical knowledge and experience on conducting academic research to analyse real-world cases
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets
  • Apply the above knowledge and skills to develop effective strategies and solutions
  • Explain and communicate problems and solutions in team work environment

Delivery and Resources

Required Text There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.
Unit Web page The unit web page is available on iLearn – http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Technology Used and Required Students will need to be familiar with a web browser to access the unit web page.
Delivery Format and Other Details
  • Classes in this unit will include two main components: a seminar series in the first half of the semester and a two-week field trip to China during the mid-semester break.
  • During the first half of the semester (before the field trip), a 2-hour lecture will be held every week. The first hours will mainly be seminar presentations from teaching staff and the second hour will be used for group/class discussion, and on some occasions, making logistic arrangement for the field trip.
  • The field trip to China will involve intensive daily activities, including visiting a number of businesses and organisations, interacting with relevant personnel, participating in organised activities in some companies, making observations of business settings and market places, reading literature and information on China and relevant companies/organisations, and preparing for case studies of a company, organisation or a sector.
  • There will be no lectures after the field trip except for weekly consultations and student presentation session in Week 12.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the timetable website: http://timetables.mq.edu.au
Recommended Readings A list of recommended readings will be given for each topic in the seminar series. Students are encouraged to read widely in the areas of China’s economic reforms, social and economic conditions and business practices that are available in a wide range of academic journals and books.

Unit Schedule

Week

Lectures and Readings

Activities

1.

Social, cultural and business environments in China

seminar

language lesson

class discussion

2.

Demographic changes and labour market in China

seminar

language lesson

class discussion

3.

Consumer markets in China

seminar

language lesson

class discussion

group formation

4.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China

seminar/guest lecture

class discussion

5.

Internationalisation of Chinese businesses

seminar/guest lecture

class discussion

6.

Australian exports to China and Australian business operations in China

seminar/guest lecture

class discussion

7.

Pre-departure preparation session

language lesson

class discussion

Mid-session break  (Field Trip to China, 15 September – 28 September 2019)

8.

No class

 

9.

No class

 

10.

No class

 

11.

No class

 

12.

Group presentations

Group presentations

13.

 

Conclusion and evaluation

 

 

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

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

  • Recognize and understand key concepts and theories discussed in the literature of doing business in China
  • Gain practical knowledge and experience on conducting academic research to analyse real-world cases
  • Explain and communicate problems and solutions in team work environment

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Field Trip Participation
  • The Major Project

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

  • Gain practical knowledge and experience on conducting academic research to analyse real-world cases
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets
  • Apply the above knowledge and skills to develop effective strategies and solutions

Assessment tasks

  • Field Trip Participation
  • The Major Project

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Recognize and understand key concepts and theories discussed in the literature of doing business in China
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss and analyse business environments and challenges related to emerging markets

Assessment tasks

  • Field Trip Participation
  • The Major Project