Course coordinator
Dr Nasreen Sultana
Campus: St Lucia Building: Joyce Ackroyd Building (Map) (http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/?id=59) Room: 413
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The course is divided into two parts. The first part is a macro view of international business. It examines at the national level the underlying causes and benefits of trade and foreign direct investment flows between nations. The second part of the course focuses on the micro or firm level aspects of international business management, including current research into the internationalisation processes of modern firms.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the conduct of international business. The course is divided into two parts. The first part of the course focuses on the macro view of international business. It examines at the national level the underlying causes and benefits of trade and foreign direct investment flows between nations. Various theories on trade are covered, including both traditional ideas such as comparative advantage, and modern concepts such as national competitive advantage and strategic trade theory. Explanations of foreign direct investment are advanced. Actual trade and investment between the major trading nations, as well as Australia's trade within our region, are reviewed to develop an understanding of the status of trade and investment in the international marketplace. The driving forces behind globalisation are examined, as are the costs and benefits to nations, industries and individuals flowing from the globalised economy. The course provides a framework for students to understand the economic and political dimensions of international trade and investment and the important role that differences and similarities between nations play in shaping international business transactions. Government policies on trade liberalisation and trade intervention are considered. The major international institutions and systems supporting international trade are discussed, including multilateral, regional and bilateral trade facilitation agreements.
The second part of the course focuses on the micro or firm level aspects of international business. It is intended to provide students with an understanding of some of the key issues faced by managers engaged in international business operations. We explore the development of international business strategies appropriate for different business environments and the corresponding types of firm structure to support those strategies. The most commonly utilised forms of foreign market entry modes are examined together with their implications for management. The process of foreign country market selection by firms is considered and a number of different decision models for country selection are analysed. The course concludes with a brief examination of a number of important aspects of firm operations in an international context including international exchange rates, marketing, production, R&D and human resource management.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Basic knowledge of world affairs and common business terms. Initiative to learn, thinkﾠand apply and share knowledge about international affairs.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
IBUS2301 or 7310
Restrictions
Quota: minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Nasreen Sultana
Guest lecturer
Professor Peter Liesch
Facilitator
Mr Kevin Zhu
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 provide students with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of international business. Through a variety of individual and team-based pedagogical activities, students will examine the environmental pressures affecting international business, and how multinational firms design their strategy, structure and operations in response to these pressures.
This course will enhance students’ employability skills through experiencing group/teamwork activities,ﾠ presenting skills, and argumentative skills from the case/topic analysis. These activities andﾠskills are valued in industry.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify the major contextual issues encountered in international business, including social, economic, political, and legal aspects external to the firm.
LO2.
Outline the basic theories that help explain international trade and investment, and relate these theories to current Australian and world trade/investment patterns.
LO3.
Analyse the effects of trade and investment liberalisation and regional economic integration.
LO4.
Explain the major aspects of international business development, including patterns of international involvement, international market selection and entry, and alternative organisational structures to support internationalisation.
LO5.
Apply international business concepts to real life situations, evaluate international business issues in a variety of product and service industries, express clearly and succinctly in assessments, and work effectively with groups/teams from diverse backgrounds.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
25% |
Week 5
During class time |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Case/Topic Analysis Assignment
|
25% |
8/10/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Week 5
During class time
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The exam will take the form of MCQs and short essay questions.
The exam will include all materials covered in the course from Weeks 1-4.
Missing the examination without legitimate reason will result in zero marks.
Only answers in the English language will be marked.
Plagiarised materials will be marked zero.
NOTE: Similarity with submitted works from other students will be imputed as plagiarism since it implies that previous students used the same exact materials, thus no paraphrasing has been done - which is plagiarism.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Criteria & Marking:
The examination will be assessed on its completeness and correctness. Knowledge of international business theories, applying theory to practice, and evidence and analysis are the key criteria for assessment, besides answering all parts of the questions. Further details will be made available on Blackboard.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Pen & Student ID |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
To be submitted in class only
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Case/Topic Analysis Assignment
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
8/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
See Bb Announcements and Seminar Slides for full assessment information.
The class will be divided into teams of 4-5 students.
Each team will be responsible for presenting a case or topic. Please Note: The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes.
Teams and presentation dates will be randomly assigned by the course coordinator.
NOTE: It is important for group members to contact each other as soon as possible after the teams are formed to avoid potential failure of the group assignment. To reassure students, the Assignment Groups are created to have as equal numbers of students as possible. However, once we proceed past Week 4, it is unfair to ask group members to change groups thus some groups may have unequal numbers. Please see the assignment guide and check Blackboard for more information.
Each group member must submit their individual contributions to the team assignment on Blackboard to ensure proper documentation of participation.
- Although the submission will not be marked, not submitting the individual contribution materials will exclude you from receiving the group’s debate mark, since it implies you did not contribute to the group assignment. Make sure you document your contribution. If your group use online files, use track changes to show your contribution, and save the files as evidence.
- Late submission penalty applies for Individual Contribution and Group Outline.
- Academic Integrity policy is in effect. Note: It is the responsibility of each individual and group to adhere to Academic Integrity. Plagiarised materials (high similarity match) will receive zero marks. You must include a reference list of the materials you used.
- A reference list of all materials used should also be included; minimum of three peer-reviewed reference per team member.
- Plagiarism and/or AI usage including translation APPs will result in zero marks for the assignment!
Peer evaluations will be conducted for this assignment.
Peer evaluations are mandatory and must be submitted within five days of the assessment due date. Failure to submit a review may result in a decrease in marks.
All students in the group will receive the same mark and each member will have the opportunity to evaluate the contributions of their peers using four criteria.
If a student is absent from the scheduled presentation without a valid excuse, they will receive no marks for the assignment.
Important Mark Moderation Based on Peer Review
The moderation of individual marks will be based on the following overall average peer review score:
- 5.0 (demonstrated full contribution to group), no deduction from group mark.
- 4.01 to 4.99 (demonstrated only satisfactory contribution to group), 5% deduction from group mark.
- 3.01 to 3.99 (demonstrated sub-standard contribution to group), 15% deduction from group mark.
- 2.01 to 2.99 (demonstrated little contribution to group), 25% deduction from group mark.
- 1.01 to 1.99 (demonstrated no contribution in several criteria or submits contribution passed agreed group deadline), 50% deduction from group mark.
- 1, no individual mark will be awarded.
Detailed instructions and criteria can be found in the IBUS7302 Case/Topic Analysis Assignment Guide on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Criteria and Marking:
Groups will be awarded a group score, and all members will share this same score which may be moderated by Peer Assessment results. There will be adequate out-of-class preparation time for the assignment.
Marks will be allocated according to coverage of issues, the depth on analysis, professional presentation and evidence of research.
A detailed information of the marking criteria is provided in the Case/Topic Analysis Assignment Guide on Blackboard.
Not submitting the individual contribution materials will exclude you from receiving the group’s mark, since it implies you made no contribution(s) to the group assignment. Due dates apply.
Submission guidelines
Additional details are included in the "Case Analysis" handout on the course Blackboard site, under the "Assessment" folder. Also refer to regular announcements on 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.
Final Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The final exam will cover all materials discussed in the course from Weeks 6 to 13. However, you are expected to also draw upon your knowledge and understanding of the materials covered in weeks 1 to 4 of the course. It is 2 hours duration and will consist of short essay and problem solving questions.
Only answers in the English language will be marked.
Plagiarised materials and AI usage will be marked zero. NOTE: Similarity with submitted works from other students will be imputed as plagiarism since it implies that previous students used the same exact materials, thus no paraphrasing has been done - which is plagiarism.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Criteria & Marking:
The examination will be assessed on its completeness and correctness, and may include case analysis. Knowledge of international business theories, applying theory to practice, and providing evidence and analysis in support of arguments are the key criteria for assessment, besides clear expression and comprehensively addressing all parts of the questions. More information will be provided in the final seminar.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
A wide range of IB-related resources are available in the UQ library including books, academic journals, business magazines, newspapers, and online databases. Students are encouraged to use these resources to prepare for lectures and tutorials and to do research for their projects/assignments. Following is a brief list of the resources that may be useful for the course:
GENERAL/PRACTICE-ORIENTED
- The Economist
- Harvard Business Review
- Daily national and international newspapers
- Websites and annual reports of multinational firms
- UN and World Bank reports and online databases on countries
- Other online reports and databases on countries' economic freedom, political freedom, competitiveness, etc.
ACADEMIC/RESEARCH-ORIENTED
- Journal of International Business Studies
- Management International Review
- Journal of World Business
- Journal of International Marketing
- International Marketing Review
- International Business Review
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 |
Course Overview 1.Introduction, case analysis, decision-making, globalisation Compulsory BB: (Course profile, Case/Topic Assignment Guide) Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Culture 2.Culture (Seminar): Compulsory integrity tutorial must be completed prior to any assignment submission in this course. See: https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/ Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Global Political Economy 3.Influence of global environment on political economy. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
National Political Economy 4.Influence of global environment on political economy. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 5 |
General contact hours |
In-Class In-Semester Exam 5.In-Class Timed Examination. All materials from Weeks 1 to 4 are examinable. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
International Trade Theory 6.Principles and explanations of international trade. (Guest Lecture) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Foreign Direct Investment 7. Foreign Direct Investment (Seminar): FDI. Guest Lecture. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Foreign Market Environment 8. Foreign Market Environment (Seminar): Salient issues in IB. Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Entering Foreign Markets 9. Entering Foreign Markets (Seminar): Various entry modes. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
International Business Operations 10. International Business Operations (Seminar): Various operating modes. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Case/Topic Analysis 11. Case/Topic Analysis (Presentation): A presentation schedule will be posted well before your presentation date so that you can adjust your schedule accordingly. King's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 7 Oct 2024 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Case/Topic Analysis 12. Case/Topic Analysis (Presentation): A presentation schedule will be posted well before your presentation date so that you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Completion Case/Topic Analysis; Exam Briefing (Review) 13. Completion Case/Topic Analysis; Exam Briefing (Review) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goals
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout course learning activities.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Goal 9: Industries, innovation and infrastructure
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.