Outline

Academic unit	International Business
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Students commencing from 2018: completion of at least 120 credit points including IBUS1101, IBUS1102, IBUS2101 and IBUS2103). Pre-2018 continuing students: completion of at least 96 credit points including IBUS2101 and (IBUS2102 or IBUS1102)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Coordinator	Yi Li, yi.li2@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Individual Essay Individual Essay for Comprehensive Case Analysis	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 28 Nov 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Dec 2021	3,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Lecture Participation through Q&A Lecture Participation through Q&A	10%	Multiple weeks	Week 2 to Week 13
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Individual Assignment (Online Mock Interview) Video of individual case interview	20%	Week 06 Due date: 19 Sep 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Sep 2021	4-6 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation Group Presentation	20%	Week 12	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Framework and Feedback Mechanisms

I. Participation (10%)

Participation is required for the course. Students are required to actively participate in Q&As of each lecture. The participation marks are based on the weekly numbers of each student participate in Q&As sessions. Students who actively participate in ten week's Q&A sessions are eligible to get the full participation marks (The attendance will replace the Q&A in the guest lectures). Students attending all lectures will get one bonus mark on participation.

Assessment Criteria

1. Communication (Oral)

Answer Quality: The answer has logical organization of the answer and clarity of presentation.

2. Influence

Time Management: the student has good time control to answer the question in the lecture.

Quality of Answer: Logical organization of the answer and clarity of

presentation. Free presentation for the student to answer the question, not just read from notes or slides.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment

Marks will be posted on Canvas after Week 13. Individual oral feedback will be given in the tutorials when requested.

II. Individual Assignment (Online Mock Interview) (20%)

Submission deadline: The end of Week 6

The purpose of the individual task is to learn more about the practical relevance of the knowledge discussed in the unit. For this individual assignment, each student has to submit an Individual Video Recording to answer one practical case question in a mock interview for the consulting industry. The length of individual video should be 4-6 minutes. The case question will be released 2 weeks before the due date. For examples of individual case interview, please refer to the link below:

https://www.bain.com/careers/interview-prep/case-interview/

The video is suggested to have the following structure:

- Self-Introduction: Introduce yourself to the interviewer with 30 seconds.

- Problem solving: Explain how you can solve the problem mentioned by the case question. You are expected to integrate the knowledge from week 2 to week 5 (e.g., frameworks/functions/theories/concepts) for the problem-solving. You should explain your solution with the logics as well as supporting evidence (data), which reflects your critical thinking.

Grading of this task will be based on how practical the solution is, how well it relates to the learnt knowledge, the depth of your discussion, and the quality and creativity of your video.

This individual assignment is to be submitted through the Turnitin link "Individual Video Recording" provided in Canvas before the due date. No extensions of this deadline will be granted! Late penalties apply as specified in the Business School and University policies and procedures:

http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy.

If you have technical problems submitting the report, please contact the ICT Service Desk below:

https://sydney.edu.au/students/learning-in-canvas-and-blackboard.html

Assessment Criteria

1. Critical thinking and problem solving

In the Individual Assignment, students are required to integrate the knowledge from the International Business Major to discuss the solution for the focal case question and its logics behind. This criterion is measured by:

- Critically apply the business concept, framework, and international business theory to solve business problems

2. Communication (Oral)

In the Individual Assignment, this criterion is measured by:

- Clarity of expression (including accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation)

4. Information Literacy

In the Individual Assignment, this criterion is measured by:

- Effectiveness of information integration in the report

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment

Marks will be posted on Canvas after the assessment submission. Oral feedback will be given in the lecture on the assessment overall, and individual written feedback will be provided to students when requested.

III. Group Presentation (20%)

Presentation Period: Week 12

The purpose of this group task is to enhance the learning outcome from the lectures as well as the individual assignment, and the students are expected to learn more about the practical relevance of the International Business knowledge from the major. For this task students have to form teams of 6 members by week 6 at the latest. Each team has to choose a recent (within that last 24 months) international business event/news (at cross-country level, country level, or industry level) influence a MNE’s global operation that demonstrates the practical relevance of one concept/framework discussed in the Week 6 - Week 11 lectures. It is recommended to look for business stories in top business publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, The Economist, Fortune, Forbes, and others. Major newspapers can also be used as references.

Students are then required to prepare a group presentation. Presentations are scheduled for the lecture in Week 12. Each team will have 10 minutes to present. In the presentation, you should introduce the event or news, explain how the event or news influence the focal MNE’s global operation, and discuss the potential solutions or future trends of the focal event or news.

The presentation is suggested to include the following components:

- Introduction: Introduce your topic and background information (e.g, the industry/country/company introduction), making sure the audience have sufficient knowledge background to understand the news/event.

- Event/news briefing: Introduce the event/news with details (e.g., data, news report, or pictures). Do not only summarize the news but also provide additional background information on the event.

- Event/news analysis: Explain how the discussed event/news and the corresponding influence on the focal firm demonstrate the practical relevance of one concept/framework covered in the unit. Here you should discuss how exactly the event/news relates to or can be explained by one concept/framework from the lectures.

- Discussion: Discuss the potential solutions of the company OR discuss the future trends of the focal event (news)’s impact on the focal company. To this end you should discuss the concept/framework in greater depth and detail than it is covered in the lectures.

- Reference list: Provide a proper reference list with the references you quoted at the end of the presentation. This involves that you identify, read and cite additional sources such as high-quality academic journal articles (ABDC A*/A journal articles) or book chapters that are related to the concept you discuss. It is essential that you provide the full citation details of each reference! Please see the University of Sydney Business School Referencing Guide for further information:

http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476096

All team members must participate in the presentation. Power point slides are recommended but should not just be Internet or book pages with lots of text copied onto a slide; i.e., summarize, use bullet points, graphs, etc. We want to see your work, not someone else's. Make your presentation as if you are a consultant with something valuable to say. Extra creative touches are always welcome and will improve your grade. You can also pass out relevant supplementary reading(s) – e.g., news clippings, Web articles, etc. Videos, company brochures, reports of interviews with people from that company, and other creative materials are great too!

Important: Please prepare a cover slide for your group presentation. Please provide on this slide the full names and SIDs of all group members, the title of your presentation, and the name of your tutor. When saving the document, the file name should indicate the last name of the tutor, the last names of all group members, and the title of the presentation. If you do not conform to these formatting instructions you will have points deducted.

The power point slides for the group presentations have to be submitted through the Turnitin link “Group presentation” provided in Canvas before the end of Week 13. No extensions of this deadline will be granted!

Late penalties apply as specified in the Business School and University policies and procedures:

http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy.

If you have technical problems submitting the report, please contact the Business School’s IT helpdesk:

http://sydney.edu.au/business/study/services/it_services/contacts

Please note that you cannot copy and paste text from your group report into your group presentation and vice versa. Recycling your own work would be picked up by Turnitin as plagiarism. Thus, while the group presentation is based on the group report, please make sure not to use the same wording and phrases.

Assessment Criteria

1. Communication (Oral)

In the Group Presentation, every member in each group must participate in the presentation. Each group must prepare a one-page handout including a summary of the most important points of the presentation, the lessons learned, and a list of resources consulted, and shares it with peer students before the presentation. This criterion is measured by:

- Handout and Time Management: Handout well organized, includes summary of main points, includes sources of information. The Presentation stays within the 15 minute limit.

- Quality and Creativity of Presentation: Logical organization of presentation material and clarity of presentation. Free presentation, not just read from notes or slides, clear group preparation. Quality of PowerPoint slides, creative use of visual and audio-visual media, etc.

2. Influence

During rehearsal stage, every member in each group should make positive contribution to improve quality of the group presentation. Every group member should make sure the presentation is well-organized as a group project.

This criterion is measured by:

- Time Management for Each Member: the Presentation stays within the 20 minute limit, and every member has good time control during his/her presentation.

- Quality of Presentation for Each Member: Logical organization of the presentation materials and clarity of presentation for every member. Free presentation for each member in the group, not just read from notes or slides.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment

The lecturer may provide feedback after the presentation if needed. The feedback will include both strengths and weaknesses of the presentation and suggestions for improvement.

IV. Individual Essay (50%)

Submission deadline: The end of Week 15

The purpose of the individual essay is to test your understanding of and ability to apply learned knowledge in a comprehensive practical case. For the Individual Essay, you need to read the comprehensive case provided in the end of Week 14 and prepare a written case analysis of 3,500 words (minimum 3,000 words, maximum 4,000 words). The report should address the key problems the focal firm is facing in the case, and provide a solution based on your data integration and detailed analysis. To facilitate your essay writing, it is recommended to look for business articles in top business publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, The Economist, Fortune, and Forbes. Major newspapers can also be used as references. The report should have the following structure:

- Introduction: Introduce your report to the reader by explaining the importance of your analysis for our focal firm, what are the key problems for its top manager, and what you are about to do in this report.

- Industry Analysis and Firm Analysis: Utilize Module 1’s knowledge to analyze the external environment (industrial environment) and internal environment (firm’s competitiveness) which are related to the focal firm and its relevant event(s). Do not only summarize the information about our focal firm but also provide additional background information on the firms or institutions related to your analysis.

- Discussion and Practical Suggestions: Provide practical suggestions based on your analysis above and discuss the relevance of your suggestions to the focal firm’s managerial problems. In this part, you should apply all other three modules’ knowledge. Here you should discuss how exactly your suggestions relate to the focal firm’s managerial concerns. To this end you should discuss your suggestions in great depth and detail. This involves that you identify, read and cite additional sources such as academic journal articles or book chapters that are related to the concept you discuss.

- Reference list: Provide a proper reference list with the references quoted in your paper at the end of the essay. It is essential that you provide the full citation details of each reference! Please see the University of Sydney Business School Referencing Guide for further information:

http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476096

Grading of this task will be based on how effective the analysis is, how well it relates to your practical suggestions, and the depth of your discussion and breadth of resources used in your essay.

Important: To follow the requirements of Anonymous Marking, please DO NOT put your name and your Lecturer’s name on this individual report. A cover page is NOT needed for this assignment. Please add your SID only on each page of your submitted report. If you do not conform to these formatting instructions you will have 20% points deducted.

The individual essay is to be submitted through the Turnitin link "Individual Essay" provided in Canvas before the due date. No extensions of this deadline will be granted! Late penalties apply as specified in the Business School and University policies and procedures:

http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy.

If you have technical problems submitting the report, please contact the ICT Service Desk below:

https://sydney.edu.au/students/learning-in-canvas-and-blackboard.html

Assessment Criteria

1. Depth of disciplinary expertise

In the Individual Essay, students are required to utilize international business knowledge learned from the International Business Major for the case analysis. In discussion part of this essay, students should demonstrate the practical relevance of international business concept/theory/model/framework to the event/news. This criterion is measured by:

- How well do the managerial problems related to the selected concept/theory/model/framework from the International Business Major

- Depth and breadth of course knowledge/resources used in the written Essay

2. Critical thinking and problem solving

In the Individual Essay, students are required to integrate the knowledge from the International Business Major to discuss managerial problems of the focal firm and suggestions to solve the problems. This criterion is measured by:

- Critically apply the business concept, framework, and international business theory to solve business problems

3. Communication (Written)

In the Individual Essay, this criterion is measured by:

- Clarity of expression (including accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation)

4. Information Literacy

In the Individual Essay, this criterion is measured by:

- Effectiveness of information integration in the report

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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 penalties apply as specified in the Business School and University policies and procedures:http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy. If you have technical problems submitting the report, please contact the ICT Service Desk below:https://sydney.edu.au/students/learning-in-canvas-and-blackboard.html

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction and unit overview	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: International business environment. Week 2 - Understanding the international context: responding to conflicting environmental forces	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Module 1: International business environment. Week 3 - External economies of scale and the international location of production	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Module 2: Multinational enterprises’ strategies. Week 4 - Expanding abroad and the entry mode	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Module 2: Multinational enterprises’ strategies. Week 5 - Engaging in cross-border collaboration: Managing across corporate boundaries	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Module 2: Multinational enterprises’ strategies. Week 6 - Internationalization entrepreneurship and SMEs	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Module 3: Cultural environment and international HRM. Week 7 - Cultural environment and international business	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Module 3: Cultural environment and international HRM. Week 8 - International human resource management (IHRM)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Module 3: Cultural environment and international HRM. Week 9 – HRM practice in MNEs (Guest speaker TBD)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Module 4: Emerging and frontier issues in IB. Week 10 – Rise of Emerging Multinational Enterprise (EMNE)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Module 4: Emerging and frontier issues in IB. Week 11 – Digitization and global e-commerce	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Week 12 – Group Presentations.	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	Week 13 - Unit Review & Workshop.	Lecture (3 hr)

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

IBUS3600: International Business in Practice

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect