INTBUS 2001OUA - International Business Operations

OUA - Trimester 1 - 2024

This course prepares students for working in an organisation that operates internationally. Students are exposed to different aspects that underpin internationalisation decisions of a firm. They also learn about the input of different functional units within organisations in the success of its international operationists. The broad content themes include international strategy and organisation; entrepreneurial nature of international expansion; different modes of foreign market entry; internationalisation of service firm; international marketing, human resource management, and sourcing. Finally, students have an opportunity to explore ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the international context. The course develops skills in analysing cross-border business scenarios, identifying opportunities and risks entailed in various internationalisation decisions, appreciating the complexity of international business operations, and including ethics and social responsibility as significant factors shaping a firm's behaviour in a home and host country(ies).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code INTBUS 2001OUA
    Course International Business Operations
    Coordinating Unit Management
    Term Trimester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s OUA
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible INTBUS 2001, INTBUS 2500
    Restrictions Available only to University of Adelaide Open Universities Australia students
    Course Description This course prepares students for working in an organisation that operates internationally. Students are exposed to different aspects that underpin internationalisation decisions of a firm. They also learn about the input of different functional units within organisations in the success of its international operationists. The broad content themes include international strategy and organisation; entrepreneurial nature of international expansion; different modes of foreign market entry; internationalisation of service firm; international marketing, human resource management, and sourcing. Finally, students have an opportunity to explore ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the international context. The course develops skills in analysing cross-border business scenarios, identifying opportunities and risks entailed in various internationalisation decisions, appreciating the complexity of international business operations, and including ethics and social responsibility as significant factors shaping a firm's behaviour in a home and host country(ies).
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Erica Lee

    Professor Hussain Rammal
    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 this course, students will be able to:
    1. Apply theoretical concepts and analytical tools to analyse cross-border business scenarios;
    2. Identify opportunities and risks entailed in various internationalisation decisions;
    3. Appreciate and explain the complexity of international business operations; and
    4. Communicate analytical findings in relation to international business operations of a firm.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1-4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2-4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3-4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Cavusgil, ST, Knight, G, & Riesenberger, J 2020, International Business the New Realities, 5th Edn, Pearson Education, Harlow/UK.
    Recommended Resources
    Based on their relevance and usefulness, additional materials may be provided in class, including recent journal publications, case studies, and business or government reports.
    Online Learning
    Lecture slides will be uploaded to MyUni.

    In addition, course communication and possible additional readings and links will be provided in MyUni throughout the course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    100% Online Study
    Workload

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

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

    The University expects full-time students (i.e., those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 9 hours for a three-unit course of private study outside of your regular classes.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topics covered:
    International Business Operations: An Introduction
    Strategy of the International firm
    Internationalisation as Entrepreneurial Activity/Opportunity Assessment/ Market Selection
    Mode of Foreign Market Entry: Exporting and Countertrade
    Licensing, Franchising and other Contractual Strategies
    FDI and Collaborative Ventures
    Global Operations, Sourcing and Offshoring
    Internationalisation of Services
    International Marketing
    International HRM
    Ethics and CSR in International Business
    Specific Course Requirements
    Part of a degree
    To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

    Core

    UAD-INB-DEG-2023 - Bachelor of International Business
    Additional requirements

    Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).

    Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete their units. MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards, and assessments.
  • 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
    Assessment 1: Course Journal 20%
    Assessment 2: Global Sourcing Research Case Study 30%
    Assessment 3: International Business Plan 30%
    Assessment 4: Reflection 20%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    • To gain a pass for this course, a mark of at least 45% must be obtained on the examination as well as a total of at least 50% overall. Students not achieving the minimum exam mark will be awarded no more than 49.

    • All assignments are to be lodged prior to the due date and time. A late assignment where no extension has been granted will be penalised by a reduction of 5% of the mark given for each day, or part of a day, that it is late.

    • Extensions to the due date of individual assessment may be granted under special circumstances. An extension request or application for supplementary exam based on illness or compassionate grounds must include the "Supporting Statement / Certification Form" that is page 4 of the Supplementary Assessment application available at: www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/pdfs/supp_applic.pdf Students applying for an extension based on medical reasons must visit their medical practitioner, with that approved University form, and have the medical practitioner complete it. A normal doctor's certificate will not be accepted.

    • Assessment rubrics will be provided in the tutorials and posted on MyUni.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Course Journal
    This Course Journal is designed to help you develop your reflective skills and self awareness, alongside creating a learning journal of all the important theories and concepts that you might use in other assessments in this and other courses across your degree program. For each Module, you’ll be asked to summarise the key concepts and theories. You will also be required to reflect on how your opinions or ideas about international business operations have been affected by the concepts explored in various modules.

    Assessment 1A - weighting 5%

    Assessment 1B - weighting 5%

    Assessment 1C - weighting 5%

    Assessment 1D - weighting 5%

    Weighting Total: 20%


    Assessment 2: Global Sourcing Research Case Study
    In this assessment task you will use your research and critical thinking skills to analyse the impacts of changes in the international business environment can have on business operations. You'll choose a firm or industry that you have experience or a particular interest in, and analyse the business responses to global supply chain disruptions, as well as the impacts that government policies may have had on these responses. Finally, you'll look ahead and use your analysis and critical thinking skills to forecast future management responses, and link them with academic literature and the underlying theories of international business operations.

    Assessment 2
    Weighting Total: 30%

    Assessment 3: International Business Plan
    In Part A of this assessment, you'll develop a business proposal based on a given case study. Using the information provided, as well as your own research, you'll write a proposal for a firm's internationalisation. You'll work in a small group to collaborate on this report, and develop your team work and communication skills.

    In Part B of this assessment, you'll complete a peer review and a self reflection, based on the skills that you and your team members developed and demonstrated while working on Part A of this assessment.

    Assessment 3A
    Assessment 3B
    Weighting Total: 30%

    Assessment 4: Reflection
    In this written task, you will reflect on your understanding prior to undertaking the course and your understanding now, having completed the course. You'll choose two to three topics covered in this course, and reflect on your learning has broadened, deepened or challenged your understanding of your chosen topic areas. You'll also explore the interrelationships between various topics, and how they relate specifically to a business' operations. Finally, you'll outline how you will use the skills and knowledge developed in this course to your current or future career.

    Assessment 4
    Weighting Total: 20%
    Submission
    All assessments adhere to the University of Adelaide Coursework Academic Programs Policy.

    Assessment extensions
    Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment policy.

    Extension Application form
    The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to your tutor, and submitted 2 days before the due date. Your tutor will consider the request in the light of the case made, and University deadlines and may grant an extension up to 3 days. You will be notified the result of your request by email.

    Late penalties
    For each assessment, your grade will be penalised by 5% per day if submitted after the due date and time, unless you have an extension approved by the Course Coordinator.

    Academic grievance
    If you are dissatisfied with the mark awarded for a particular assessment task, please refer to the University Policy on Student Grievance.
    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
  • 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.

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