Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This integrative, capstone course is concerned with the interplay of international business strategy and organisational policy and strategy making. How international business strategy supports the achievement of the strategic ambitions of organisations is a particular focus. Key issues are establishing effective international business strategies and the organisational and environmental precursors to developing such strategies. Emphasis is placed on understanding how the global institutional environment can create both opportunities and challenges for international organisations. Students are expected to show intellectual leadership by conducting a significant research project within the domain of international business.
This institutional environment includes firms, governments and transnational agencies. It also includes the nature of markets and the many informal institutions that managers of international firms, be they large or small, must negotiate to effectively manoeuvre their enterprises for success. Theory has been developed to explain many aspects of these processes and institutions.ﾠ In this course, we take an approach to the study of internationalﾠbusiness strategy that builds from theory in international business as thisﾠfield is rich in theory. It isﾠa derivative field and transdisciplinary, and as such, is welcoming of theory from fields and disciplines that are cognate. You will be introduced to a suite of theories in international business, and strategy implications for international business firmsﾠwill be drawn from these theories. These theoretical perspectives include;ﾠinternationalisation process theory, the eclectic paradigm of international production, transaction cost economics, institutional theory, resource and knowledge-based perspectives and global value chain theory. The delivery of components of this course will require studentsﾠto take initiative and organise and manage the delivery.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
IBUS3303 + 4 units from the major
Restrictions
Capstone course to be studied in the major. Course is restricted to students enrolled in the BAdvBus(Hons) program.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
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
This course introduces you to research and scholarship in International Business (IB).ﾠ IB is a derivative field of academic study in that this field had its genesis with scholars from a variety of fields and disciplines who shared an interest in the new phenomena of the time, viz., the emergence and rapid growth of the multinational enterprise (MNE) and its activities abroad, viz., foreign direct investment (FDI).ﾠ These phenomena became pronounced post - World War II as the post-war reconstruction and rebuilding was underway. Scholars from economics, sociology, business history, anthropology, geopolitics and other fields were observing the MNE transforming national economies and they asked questions of the nature, behaviours and impacts of these large firms, from their own particular disciplinary backgrounds. As such, IB emerged as a phenomenological field. In this course, you will learn how a scholarly field develops, how IB scholars approach the research issues that interest them, how this research is executed, and how to approach publication in this field. You will learn how IB theory is translated to IB strategy to achieve the firm's mission. This learning will position you academically for future studies in higher degrees, possibly at doctoral level, and in corporate and government enterprise. You will acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- Scholarly content knowledge: knowledge of concepts, theories and approaches at research in IB.
- Theoretical application: the ability to translate IB theory into strategy for international firms.
- Analytical proficiency: the ability to apply content knowledge in well-structured ways to address research questions and puzzles at the firm-level on cross national border activities.
- Critical reasoning: the ability to critically evaluate research in IB.
- Communicative proficiency: the ability to present well-structured reviews, proposals and research insights in good gr
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the IB field as a scholarly field of study.
LO2.
Explain a suite of IB theories and derive IB strategy implications from these theories.
LO3.
Critique IB research manuscripts.
LO4.
Develop a research question or present a research puzzle, drawing upon instructional content from this course.
LO5.
Structure a research project that addresses this research question or puzzle.
LO6.
Understand and comply with principles of ethical responsibility as determined by the Academy of International Business and The University of Queensland.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Thesis |
Research Proposal Development
|
50% |
4/11/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Discussion: Leadership, Moderation, Participation
|
30% |
Block 1: Week 2 - Week 3 Block 2: Week 4 - Week 5 Block 3: Week 6 - Week 7 Block 4: Week 8 - Week 9 Block 5: Week 10 - Week 11 Block 6: Week 12 - Week 13
Review due prior to discussion session of each Block |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Manuscript Review | 20% |
25/10/2024 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Research Proposal Development
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Thesis
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
4/11/2024 4:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Each student is required to write a research proposal on an International Business (IB) topic. You will not conduct the actual project.
You will focus on a puzzle or a research question in IB that interests you, and you will structure a full proposal on how you would conduct this research project, should your ever engage in it.
The research may be theoretical or empirical in nature, but should make a clear novel contribution to the international business literature.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and 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.
Discussion: Leadership, Moderation, Participation
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Block 1: Week 2 - Week 3
Block 2: Week 4 - Week 5
Block 3: Week 6 - Week 7
Block 4: Week 8 - Week 9
Block 5: Week 10 - Week 11
Block 6: Week 12 - Week 13
Review due prior to discussion session of each Block
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed, Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
This course is structured into six blocks of two weeks with theory presented in the first week and application of theory to firm strategy following in the second week.
The first week of each block will be presented by the Lecturer in this course.
In the second week, the class activity will be guided by student participation with oversight by the Lecturer.
In each of these six weeks, a student (or more than one, depending on enrolment numbers) will direct the class activity as the class draws strategy implications from the theory presented in the previous week.
Students will be peer-assessed in each of these six group sessions.
In addition, the Lecturer will assess each student according to participation, insight and final strategy outcomes.
To prepare for the class discussion, each student will submit a 400 word review of one manuscript recommended on the topic.
The Lecturer will assess each manuscript submitted.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Research Manuscript Review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
25/10/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
You are required to review critically an article that has been published in the Journal of International Business Studies.
The article will be assigned in the third week of lecture.
This piece of assessment must be independently completed.
Drawing upon the readings you have been presented through this course, you will assess the contemporaneity, the strengths and the shortcomings of the article. You might even have thoughts on how this article might be improved.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
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 |
Seminar |
Introduction to and Evolution of the IB field In this first seminar, we will explain the international business (IB) research field, and discuss the development and evolution of this field. We also discuss the meaning and importance of theory and its application. Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Internationalisation Process Theory We introduce a core theory in IB - The Uppsala Internationalisation process model. In the 1970s, Swedish scholars from The University of Uppsala first introduced the internationalisation process model which has been elaborated regularly. We focus on discussing two papers, the original published in 1977 and a more recent one. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of IP theory Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Internalisation theory and Eclectic Paradigm In this seminar, we focus on theory of the MNE and the Eclectic Paradigm of International Production. The Eclectic Paradigm explains why firms undertake production across borders to become MNEs. Royal Queensland Show Public Holiday - Wednesday 14 Aug 2024 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of Internalisation Theory Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Transaction Cost Theory The third theory we introduce is Williamsonian TCE. TCE is a classic economics theory which has been widely used across different fields. We discuss two papers from Williamson. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of Transaction Cost Theory Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Institutional Theory Institutional theory focuses on the importance of context and the environment which are key in IB. Institutional theory emphasises institutions directly shaping firms' strategies. We will discuss various aspects of institutions and how these impact firm behaviours. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 9 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of Institutional Theory Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Resource-Based View - Dynamic Capabilities View The resource-based view and dynamic capabilities emphasise firm heterogeneity. Firms' advantages and performance vary even when they are in the same industry and the same institutional environment. We will discuss the key assumptions and logics from RBV and the dynamic capabilities view. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of RBV - Dynamic Capabilites Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Global Value Chain Theory The Global Factory and Externalisation. It is critical for firms to utilise location advantages and spread risks through building global value chain participation. We will discuss the global value chain perspective and how MNEs build and manage participation in global value chains. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 |
Team Based Learning |
Strategy Implications of Global Value Chain Theory Student led group discussion. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.