The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

TRADE 7007 - MNCs, Trade & Sustainable Development

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course explores the growth and role of global firms and their significant interaction with the international trade architecture. It discusses how trade and investment opportunities are vital to the ongoing growth and sustainability of firms and why trade agreements can have a substantial impact on the investments and trade strategies used by Multinational Corporations (MNCs). The course reviews and develops understanding of key concepts of corporate social responsibility, triple-bottom line accounting, sustainability reporting and risk management in terms of their current relevance to the trade and investment decisions of global firms. Students are offered a unique insight into how contemporary multinational businesses are dealing with both internal (such as transparency and management issues) as well as external risk factors (such as poverty and environmental challenges), with the aim of enabling students to undertake a balanced and critical analysis of the future role of MNCs in contributing to sustainable development outcomes.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code TRADE 7007
    Course MNCs, Trade & Sustainable Development
    Coordinating Unit Institute for International Trade
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 x 1.5 day intensive modules
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Quota A quota of 24 applies
    Assessment Case study, comparative analysis & research report
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Jim Redden

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand of the role and behaviour of MNCs in the global economy
    2 Understand, review analyse the key concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Reporting, Risk Management and related triple bottom line accounting methods
    3 Understand and explain the complex relationship between the behaviour of global firms and the global trade architecture.
    4 Understand and have enhanced awareness of the role of global firms in delivering trade related sustainable development outcomes and how to contribute to the future development of sustainable and profitable global organisations
    5 Use appropriate tools of analysis to decide if a global company can be both profitable and successful while also contributing to sustainable trade and development outcomes.
    6 Critically analyse, interpret and present research findings and make reccomendations on the relationship between global firms, trade and sustainability
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5,6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4,5,6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,2,3,4,5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,2,3,4,5,6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,3,4,5
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1,2,3,4,5,6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Required readings will be provided online via MyUni. 

    Recommended Resources
    • “Multinational Corporations and Foreign Direct Investment: Avoiding Simplicity, Embracing Complexity”, Cohen, Stephen D.,  Oxford Scholarship Online: May 2007
    • “Empires of Profit: Commerce, Conquest and Corporate Responsibility”, by Daniel Litvin (New York; London: Texere, 2003)
    • “Global Business Today: An Asia-Pacific Perspective, Hill, Cronk and Wickramasekera, McGraw-Hill, Australia 2008
    • “George Soros On Globalization”, by George Soros (New York: Public Affairs, 2002)
    • “Globalization and its Discontents”, by Joseph E Stiglitz (New York; London: W.W. Norton & Co., c2002)
    •  “Leading Corporate Citizens”, Sandra Waddock, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2nd edition, New York, 2006
    • “Foundations of Multinational Financial Management,” 5th edition, by Alan C. Shapiro, Wiley, New York (in particular chapter 6 pp 153-175 on risk management)
    • “Future Positive: International Co-operation in the 21st Century”, by Michael Edwards  (London: Earthscan, 1999)
    • “The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective,” Angus Maddison, OECD Development Centre Studies, 2001
    • “International Marketing: An Asia Pacific Perspective” Second Edition, R Fletcher and L Brown,  (Pearson Education Australia, 2002)
    • “Globaphobia: Confronting Fears about Open Trade”, by Gary Burtless, Robert Z. Lawrence, Robert E. Litan, and Robert J. Shapiro 125 pp. (Brookings 1998)
    • “The Political Economy of the World Trading System”, by B Hoekman and M Kostecki, (Oxford Uni Press, New York 2001)
    • “How the Other Half Dies: The Real Reasons for World Hunger “, by Susan George (Harmondsworth, Middlesex : Penguin, 1986)
    • “The Globalisation of Poverty” Impacts of IMF and World Bank Reforms by Michel Chossudovsky (Canada Zed Books Ltd, 1999)
    •  “Global Development Problems, Solutions, Strategy” A Proposal for Socially Just, Ecologically Sustainable growth, by (Fran’s Doorman 1998)
    •  “Markets Morals & Manifestos” & The Politics of Economic Rationalism in the 1990’s by Peter Vintila. John Phillimore & Peter Newman (Institute for Science and Technology Policy 1992)
    •  “Trade 2006, Trade Benefits All Australians” by Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Commonwealth of Australia 2006)
    • “Globalisation Keeping the Gain” by Economic Analytical Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Commonwealth of Australia 2003)
    • “The Impact of Agricultural Trade Liberalisation on Developing Countries” by Fran Freeman, Jane Melanie, Ivan Roberts, David Vanzetti, Apelu Tielu, Benjamin Beutre, Abare Innovation in Economic Research (Commonwealth of Australia 2000)
    •  “Social Forces and The Manager, Readings and Cases” by William R Allen & Louis K Bragaw JR (John Wiley & Sons New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, 1982)
    • “Research in Corporate Sustainability”, The Evolving Theory and Practice of Organizations in the Natural Environment by Sanjay Sharma and Mark Starik 2002 (Edward Elgar Publishing Limited UK)
    • “Fourth Edition, Social Issues In Business, Strategic and Public Policy Perspectives by Fred Lithans, Richard M Hodgetts, Kenneth R Thompson(Macmillan publishing Company New York, Collier Macmillan Publishers, London)
    • Fourth Edition “Marketing” by Peter Kotler, Gary Armstrong, Linden Brown, Stewart Adam and Chadler (Pentice Hall of Australia Pty Ltd 1998)
    • “Trust Us”, The Global Reporters 2002 Survey of Corporate Sustainability Reporting by (Sustainability Ltd United Nations Environment Programme)
    Articles
    • Browne J., & Nuttall, R, 'Beyond corporate social responsibility: Integrated external engagement', March 2013
    • London T & Hart S, “Reinventing Strategies for Emerging Markets – Beyond the Transnational Model”
    • Copenhagen Consensus 2008 Challenge Papers, Copenhagen Consensus Center, www.copenhagenconsensus.com 
    • Jeffrey D. Sachs, and Andrew Warner, “Economic Reform and the Process of Global Integration”, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, 1, 1995, pp. 1-118.
    • The Virtue Matrix: Calculating the Return on Corporate Responsibility (HBR 2002)
    • IBSA, Corporate Social Responsibility: Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA), March 2011
    • Corporate Codes of Conduct:  Self-Regulation in a Global Economy (UNRISD paper 2001)
    • Serving the World’s Poor Profitably (HBR 2002)
    • AIDS is your business (HBR 2003)
    • Corruption and Globalization (Brooking Institution Policy Brief 2001)
    • World Trade Organisation, World Trade Report 2004
    • World Trade Organisation, “Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment”, Annual Report 2002, chapter 3.
    • Economic Report of the [US] President 2000, “Making Markets Work for the Environment”, chapter 3 of the Economic Report of the [US] President 2000.
    • F. Bourguinon et al, “The Concerns of the Street Protestors: What are the Answers?” in Making Sense of Globalisation: A Guide to the Economic Issues, CEPR Policy Paper No. 8, 2002.
    Online Learning
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The three modules will provide an interactive environment of presentations, discussion and debate. Throughout the course there will be lectures and/or video presentations from the course coordinator and invited guest speakers followed by group workshops and discussions, student presentations and a possible visit to a global firm operating in South Australia. Active debate around the future of global firms and their role in sustainable trade and development will be strongly encouraged.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The Institute expects students undertaking this elective to attend each of the three modules. This course comprise of approximately 36 contact hours (structured learning). In addition to time spent in class, students in TRADE 7007 are expected to devote an additional 120 non-contact hours to study in this course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Module Topic
    1A - Course overview and assessment
    - The rise of MNCs - trade and sustainable development issues 1
    1B - The rise of MNCs - trade and sustainable development issues 2
    - Case-study of a local global company - guest speaker
    - The corporation (DVD) and discussion groups
    - Case-studies and preparation for assignments
    2A - Review of assignments
    - The relationship between the WTO, trade policy and global firms 1
    2B - The role of the CEO and key challenges facing MNCs in contemporary society: case-study
    - The relationship between trade policy and global firms 2
    - Transparency, accountability and poverty issues for MNCs
    - Preparation for final assignments
    3A - Review of assignments
    - Lessons from a global exporter – San Remo or Jacobs Engineering
    3B - Principle internal and external challenges facing global firms and case-studies
    - Student presentations
    - Video interview with CEO of global mining company
    - The final report and course summary
    Specific Course Requirements
    As this is an intensive course, the Institute expects students undertaking this elective to attend each of the three modules.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    In keeping with the practical, rather than theoretical orientation of this elective, we will assess students on their class participation, in class tests, presentations and the successful completion of their assignments. Details of the assignments will be discussed with students in the first session of the course. The assessment components are as follows:
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Assignment 1: Critical Analysis Summative

    TBC

    		 5% 1,2
    Assignment 2: Comparative Analysis Summative TBC 20% 3,4,5
    Assignment 3: Investigative Resarch Presentation & Report:
    (a) Presentation
    (b) Major Report    		 Summative TBC (a) 5%
    (b) 65%    		 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Participation in all three modules Summative - 5% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Assignments must be submitted as follows:

    1. Softcopy through Turnitin on MyUni


    All assignments must be presented professionally with clear headings, appropriate referencing and using one and a half spacing.

    Extensions will only be granted if requests are received in writing to the course coordinator at least 24 hours before the final due date unless they are requested on medical or compassionate grounds and are supported by appropriate documents. Late assignments will be penalised.

    Your assignment must include the IIT assignment cover sheet which can be downloaded from MyUni under “Assignments”. Each page must be numbered with your student ID and name.

    Please contact the course coordinator, preferably by email, for assistance or guidance in relation to course work, assignments or any concerns that may arise. Assignments will normally be returned two weeks after they have been submitted.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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