TRADE 7007 - MNCs, Trade & Sustainable Development

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 3 - 2020

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 and investment guarantee schemes 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 and other methods of sustainability 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, country risk 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. The course is delivered through a blended learning approach with teaching materials and online modules provided through the MyUni course page. Students are expected to complete all online modules prior to the face-to-face sessions.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	TRADE 7007
Course	MNCs, Trade & Sustainable Development
Coordinating Unit	Institute for International Trade
Term	Trimester 3
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 36 hours
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	TRADE 5000, TRADE 7003, TRADE 7004, TRADE 7005
Assessment	Participation/group work/online quiz; final assignment.

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Mike Humphrey

Name:	Mr Mike Humphrey
Role:	Course Coordinator and Trade Expert, IIT
Email:	Mike.Humphrey@adelaide.edu.au

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1	Explain the theoretical basis and discuss the evidence for the role firms play in driving trade and the impact this has on productivity growth in the economy
2	Discuss the nature of the choices firms make about the form of their international marketing (trade, investment, licensing)
3	Explain the structure and role of MNEs in trade
4	Demonstrate, review and analyse the economic and social environment in which MNEs operate
5	Explain and explain the relationship between firms and the global trade architecture
6	Analyse and evaluate policy issues affecting trading firms such as regulatory impediments ('trade facilitation'), corruption and bribery, competition policy and cartel behaviour

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,2,3
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	3,4,5,6
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	2,3
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	5,6
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	4,6
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	5

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Required readings will be provided online via MyUni.

Online Learning
- UK website on C.S.R.: www.article13.com
- The corporate responsibility coalition of NGOs – CORE: www.corporate-responsibility.org
- Journal on corporate responsibility and business ethics: www.business-ethics.com
- Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy, Nottingham University: www.nottingham.ac.uk/economics/leverhulme
- Globalisation Studies Network (GSN) at International Development Research Centre (IDRC). www.idrc.ca
- Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements: www.globalmovements.monash.edu.au
- http://evolvingchoice.com/ Locally established blog on CSR issues – worth checking out.
- Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility - http://www.accsr.com.au/
- CSR Asia - www.csr-asia.com
- CSRWire - http://www.csrwire.com/
- APEsphere - http://www.apesphere.com/
- Acumen Fund - http://www.acumenfund.org/
- Just Means - www.justmeans.com
- FTSE4Good - http://www.ftse.com/Indices/FTSE4Good_Index_Series/index.jsp
- Greenbiz - www.greenbiz.com
- Geoff Wells, sustainable business lecturer at UniSA - http://www.geoffwells.com/
- Kellie McElhaney, Berkeley Haas School of Business: www.alternatives.ie/news/article/learnings_from_silicon_valley_latest_thinking_on_corporate_social_responsi
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/djones-stoxx-sustainability.asp
- Nestle and Creating Shared Value, http://www.nestle.com/csv
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

TBC

Workload

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

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

TBC

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

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

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Multiple choice quiz	TBA	5%	1
Class Discussion	TBA	10%	2,3,4
Group Exercise	TBA	30%	2,3,4,5,6
Peer Assessment	TBA	5%	1,2,3,4,5,6
Individual Assignment - Business Plan	TBA	50%	1,2,3,4,5,6
Total		100%

Assessment Detail

Multiple choice quiz (5%)
Quiz is based on the pre-course e-learning material provided in Myuni.

Class Discussion (10%)
Backgroud material (videos) will be provided in class. After watching this material the class will discuss the issues raised and their significance for MNEs.

Group Exercise (30%)
Students will be assigned to groups consisting of MNEs or countries. The country groups wil complete with each other to secure MNE investments, while the MNE groups will compete to secure access to the resources on offer in the countries.

Peer Assessment (5%)
Students will be required to score the contributions made to the group by each of the members of the group.

Individual Assignment - Business Plan (50%)
Each student will be required to design a business plan for a social enterprise to solve an issue that they feel passionate about. After testing it out in their country of choice, they will then demonstrate how this enterprise will be rolled out to other countries.

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.

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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator