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Unit outline_

IBUS3600: International Business in Practice

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit bridges the gap between theory and practice in international business. The unit covers critical issues and builds skills in the management of business across cultural and national borders. Much of the unit is dedicated to a problem-based/experiential approach to learning, using case studies, simulations, and class activities to deepen and solidify learning.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
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Students commencing from 2018: completion of at least 120 credit points including IBUS1101 and IBUS1102 and IBUS2101 and IBUS2103. Pre-2018 continuing students: completion of at least 96 credit points including IBUS2101 and (IBUS2102 or IBUS1102)
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
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All other requirements for the major or program associated with this capstone must be completed prior to or concurrently with (if enrolment rules permit) this unit of study. Capstones must be completed at the University of Sydney Business School only.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Benny Shen, yinfeng.shen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Individual Case Analysis
Short released assignment
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 15 Jun 2023
3,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Participation Participation
Lecture & tutorial Participation
10% Multiple weeks Week 2 to Week 13
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual Mock Pre-recorded Interview
Video of individual case interview
20% Week 08
Due date: 18 Apr 2023 at 09:00

Closing date: 02 May 2023
4-6 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO1 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group Presentation
Group Presentation
20% Week 12 12-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation: Students should do their readings, analyse the assigned cases, and be prepared to attend the Q&A sessions in the lectures and tutorial discussions. 
  • Individual Mock Pre-recorded Interview: For this individual assignment, each student has to submit an Individual Video Recording to answer several practical case questions in a mock interview for the consulting industry. The length of the individual video should be 4-6 minutes. The case question will be released 2 weeks before the due date. 
  • Group presentation: Students will form teams of 4-5 members by week 4. Each team has to choose a recent (within the last 24 months) international business event/news that influences an MNE’s global operation. The groups should present and analyse this event and demonstrate the practical relevance of one concept/framework discussed in the lectures. 
  • Individual Case Analysis: The purpose of the individual case is to test your understanding of and ability to apply learned knowledge in a comprehensive practical case. You need to read the comprehensive case provided and prepare a written case analysis of 3,500 words (minimum 3,000 words, maximum 4,000 words). The report should address the critical challenges of the focal firm and provide a solution based on your data integration and detailed analysis. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and unit overview Lecture (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 1 IB environment: Complexity of global business environment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Module 1 IB environment: Global business and career Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Module 2 Global Strategies: The knowledge of Expanding abroad and entry mode Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 Module 2 Global Strategies: The practice of international new ventures Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 Module 3 Cross-cultural management: The knowledge of cultural environment and IB Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Module 3 Cross-cultural management: The practice of International human resource management (IHRM) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Guest lecture: Engaging in cross-border competition and collaboration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 09 Public Holiday Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Module 4 Future of IB: Digitization and global e-commerce Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Module 4 Future of IB: Sustainability and global corporate social responsibility Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Group Presentations Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Unit Review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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.

Required readings

Unit readings are available on the Canvas

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. integrate international business knowledge, concepts, and principles in a range of business contexts
  • LO2. identify, analyse, and solve business challenges reaching conclusions using fundamental concepts, principles, and knowledge from international business
  • LO3. communicate effectively and professionally using a range of communication modes in business contexts
  • LO4. make a positive contribution to a team-based project
  • LO5. recognise the need for, locate, evaluate and use business information effectively.

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.

Students' comments have been taken.

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.