Course coordinator
Dr Tao Bai
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course provides students with practical skills to identify, implement, and manage foreign operation methods for internationalisation into overseas markets. It covers risk management, digital operations, and strategic flexibility in combining and switching methods. Students will gain employability skills in global business practices, enabling them to advise firms on effective and competitive international operation.
Foreign operation methods encompass a company’s approaches to operating in foreign markets - the critical "how" part of foreign operations. This course offers a comprehensive analysis of common foreign operation methods, including franchising, licensing, management contracts, international outsourcing, project operations, exporting, alliances, and foreign direct investment.
At the strategic level, the course explores the selection, development, combination, and adaptation of various foreign operation modes.
At the implementation level, it provides detailed guidance on the management and practical application of each method.
By integrating international business theories with practical insights, this course utilises business cases to equip students with the essential skills to conduct and manage foreign operations effectively, preparing them to navigate the complexities of global business operation confidently.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
IBUS2301 + 4 units of International Business major courses
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Tao Bai
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to cultivate a strategic understanding and practical skills for conducting and managing foreign operations. Students will explore the strengths and limitations of various foreign operation modes, develop decision-making capabilities tailored to internal and external contexts, and gain insights into managing, evolving, and combining operational strategies for long-term success.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply fundamental theories and perspectives to analyse diverse foreign operation modes.
LO2.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of various foreign operation modes to make informed choices for internationalisation.
LO3.
Adapt foreign operation strategies in response to changing internal and external circumstances.
LO4.
Collaborate effectively to develop practical solutions to complex problems.
LO5.
Implement foreign operation methods in a socially responsible and culturally sensitive manner.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Case Study Presentation & Evaluations
|
40% |
Week 3 - Week 13
Each team will be allocated a week to present during their tutorial |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Company analysis | 30% |
31/10/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
In person invigilated open-book assessment
|
30% |
10/11/2025 - 17/11/2025
This assessment will be scheduled by the school and run for 48 hours during the examination period. |
Assessment details
Case Study Presentation & Evaluations
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
Week 3 - Week 13
Each team will be allocated a week to present during their tutorial
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
Task description
Students will be placed in to teams. Each team will be allocated a week to present a case study during their tutorial.
The assigned case study will be made available in the week prior to the team presentation and the case study is based on the previous weeks lecture topic.
Students are required to work together in their team to solve the case and answer any assigned case questions. Students in their presentation will provide a brief overview of the case and apply key course concepts and theory to assist with solving the case/answering the questions. Teams need to engage their audience with their delivery and relevant questions/activities. Presentation slides must be submitted prior to the time of the presentation date.
Please Note: The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes per UQ policy.
Full assessment task description is available on the course blackboard site in the Assessment section.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Teams will present case study during their tutorial and submit the presentation slides via the online submission link on the course Blackboard site in the same week as their assigned presentation.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
10% Late Penalty applies to submitted material only. Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations. Failure to present at the scheduled time will result in a mark of zero for the presentation portion of this assessment.
Company analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
31/10/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will write and submit a business report. Students are expected to conduct a real-business case analysis on foreign operation method. Students select an international firm, then critically analyze, discuss, and evaluate the chosen firm's foreign operation methods in multiple countries, and provide recommendations on how the firm can further improve their foreign operations from strategy and implementation levels by applying course concepts and secondary research.
A minimum of 10 authoritative, relevant references must be included.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
In person invigilated open-book assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
10/11/2025 - 17/11/2025
This assessment will be scheduled by the school and run for 48 hours during the examination period.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
The short essay style questions focus on testing your understanding and insights to date in this course. Apply critical thinking and use of illustrative examples where possible. Each question will require an essay-style response. Responses provided in bullet points without the appropriate detail will be awarded only partial marks.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Course Overview and fundamental theories |
Week 2 |
Tutorial |
Franchising
|
Lecture |
Franchising |
|
Week 3 |
Tutorial |
Licensing
EKKA Public Holiday - Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. |
Lecture |
Licensing |
|
Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Management contracts
|
Lecture |
Management contracts |
|
Week 5 |
Tutorial |
International outsourcing
|
Lecture |
International outsourcing |
|
Week 6 |
Tutorial |
Project operations
|
Lecture |
Project operations |
|
Week 7 |
Tutorial |
Exporting
|
Lecture |
Exporting |
|
Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Alliance |
Lecture |
Alliance
|
|
Week 9 |
Tutorial |
Foreign direct investment |
Lecture |
Foreign direct investment
|
|
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester break |
Week 10 |
Tutorial |
Mode switching and stretching strategies
Kings Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 6 October 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. |
Lecture |
Mode switching and stretching strategies |
|
Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Mode combination and mode flexibility
|
Lecture |
Mode combination and mode flexibility |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Foreign operation modes in digital world
|
Lecture |
Foreign operation modes in digital world |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Revision of course content Revision of all topics |
Lecture |
Revision of course content |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through lectures and assessment.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.