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Unit outline_

IBUS2106: Creating Sustainable International Businesses

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

International businesses must navigate an increasingly complex environment encompassing different laws, ethics, social movements, stakeholders, social and environmental responsibilities, consumers, and policies. These differences associated with operating across borders places immense pressure on an international business to consider their environmental impact and responsibility both upstream and downstream, of which is extensively more complex than that of a local-operating business. This unit examines the shifting mindset from profit maximising to acting as a responsible business. It explores how an international business can assess, manage and improve their operations to be accountable and transparent in relation to key global social and environmental challenges and opportunities including transitioning to a net-zero global economy, the United Nation's SDGs, biodiversity and modern slavery. On completion of this unit, students have enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to the understanding of how international businesses can be socially and environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of 48 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

BUSS1000

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Carlos Vazquez Hernandez, carlos.vazquezhernandez@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Interactive Stakeholder Simulations/Case Studies
Individual assessment
30% Multiple weeks
Due date: 19 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Oct 2024
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small test Early Feedback Task
Individual assessment
10% Week 03 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Skills-based evaluation group assignment Sustainability Impact Project
Group assessment
30% Week 12 1200 words and 10 minutes presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case Study Analysis
Individual assessment
30% Week 13
Due date: 28 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 29 Oct 2024
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

1. Early Feedback Task (10%). Individual Assessment.

Assess students’ understanding of basic concepts in sustainable international business. Provide students with a clear sense of the course’s scope and depth, helping them decide if it meets their academic and career objectives.

2. Interactive Stakeholder Simulations/Case Studies (30%). Individual Assessment.

This exercise would mirror real-world interactions and negotiations, focusing on human factors in sustainability decisions. Multiple weeks: Week 4, 7, and 10.

3. Sustainability Impact Project (30%). Group Assessment.

Develop a comprehensive plan to integrate sustainable practices (e.g., energy efficiencies, waste reduction programs, sustainable supply chain, carbon footprint reduction, water conservation measures, product lifecycle management, employee wellness, community engagement and development) into an international company, focusing on human decision-making and engagement and how to implement the practice, and its impact.

4. Case Study Analysis (30%). Individual Assessment.

Analyse and present on a specific case (using the organisation in your group assignment or other from the approve list), where human decision-making dramatically impacted the sustainability outcome of an international business.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submissions will incur a 5% deduction of the total marks per day of delay (including weekends and public holidays).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Sustainable International Business Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Human Theories and Global Sustainability Frameworks Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Human Approaches to UN SDGs Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Ethics, Decision-Making, and the Circular Economy Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Human Strategies in Environmental Impact Management Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 CSR, Stakeholder Engagement, and Human Insights Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Mid-Term Review and Human Analysis in Group Projects Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Biodiversity, Business, and Human Behaviour Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Modern Slavery, Human Rights, and Ethics in Decision-Making Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 International Economics of the Net-Zero Transition Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Innovating Sustainable Practices Through Human Strategies Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Group Project Presentations: human strategies in real-world sustainability challenges. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Synthesising Human Insights and Sustainability Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply key theories, frameworks, and concepts in insightful ways to address core sustainability-related issues international businesses face.
  • LO2. Evaluate core debates and challenges to international business dilemmas and provide UN SDGs supportive solutions.
  • LO3. Develop verbal and written communication skills within the context of sustainable business practices.
  • LO4. Work collaboratively and effectively within a team examining social and environmental challenges international businesses face, developing solutions supporting UN SDGs and embracing a global responsible business mindset.
  • LO5. Identify how to make a positive impact within the international business environment by evaluating sustainable and ethical approaches to address current challenges international businesses and society face.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is a new unit offered from 2024.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.