ECO8060 Business in the International Economy

ECO	8060	74179	1, 2008	WEB	Business in the International Economy	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOBUS
Academic org:	FOB008
Student contribution band:	3A
ASCED code:	091901

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Khorshed Alam
Moderator: Jeffrey Gow

OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm

RATIONALE

Modern business has become international in orientation. Professional managers need a sound understanding of international business, especially from the economic and broader strategic perspective. The rationale, formulation and putting into practice of international strategies within a rapidly changing global economy are vital for business. Modern managers should have a broad global perspective, a clear vision of the future of international business and strong strategic skills.

SYNOPSIS

This course is focused on international business strategy in the changing global economy. The evolution of international business and the current global business environment are analysed. Trade, competitiveness and national policy are related to international business strategy. National business environment and cultures are analysed with emphasis placed on international business strategy. Key aspects of doing business overseas are reviewed, emphasising international business strategy in action. Students will develop a broad vision of international business and its likely future challenges as well as practical skills in strategic analysis. Formerly MGT8060.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.: describe the importance of international business in the global economy (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
2.: describe the importance of international business in the global economy (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
3.: understand key ideas about trade and competitiveness (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
4.: relate these to international business strategy (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
5.: appreciate the importance of national policies, institutions and politics in development of international business strategy (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
6.: relate business strategy to national competitive advantage (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
7.: appreciate the main issues in building an international business and in doing business overseas (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
8.: have a good appreciation of international business strategy in action (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
9.: have a clear vision of future directions and challenges for international business (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
10.: utilise skills in strategic analysis (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	International business in the global economy	10.00
2.	International trade	20.00
3.	Politics, policies and cultures	15.00
4.	Global corporate strategy and competitiveness	15.00
5.	Developing international business strategies	10.00
6.	Structuring the firm for global competition	10.00
7.	Doing business internationally	10.00
8.	The strategic environment and future challenges for international business	10.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Besanko, D, Dranove, D, Shanley, M & Schaefer, S 2007, Economics of strategy, 4th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey.

Rugman, AM, Collinson, S & Hodgetts, RM 2006, International business, 4th edn, Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Harlow, England.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Ball, D, McCulloch, W, Geringer, M, Frantz, P & Minor, M 2008, International business: the challenge of global competition, 11th edn, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Boston, Massachusetts.

Caves, RE, Frankel, JA & Jones, RW 2007, World trade and payments: an introduction, 10th edn, Pearson Addison Wesley, Boston, Massachusetts.

Day, GS & Reibstein, DJ (eds) 1997, Wharton on dynamic competitive strategy, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Griffin, R & Pustay, M 2005, International business: a managerial perspective, 4th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
(international edition)

Jones, G 1996, The evolution of international business: an introduction, Routledge, New York.

Porter, ME 1998, Competitive strategy: techniques for analysing industries and competitors, The Free Press, New York.

Porter, ME 1998, The competitive advantage of nations: with a new introduction, Free Press, New York.

Porter, ME 1998, Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance, Free Press, New York.

Rugman, AM, Lecraw, DJ & Booth, LD 1985, International business: firm and environment, McGraw-Hill, New York.

Weidenbaum, ML 2004, Business and government in the global marketplace, 7th edn, Pearson/Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessments	30.00
Directed Study	65.00
Private Study	70.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1	15.00	15.00	02 Apr 2008
ASSIGNMENT 2	35.00	35.00	12 May 2008
2 HOUR EXAMINATION	50.00	50.00	END S1	(see note 1)

NOTES

1.: The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval of the examiner, then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); English translation dictionaries (but not technical dictionaries).
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Policies and Procedures which can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	Assignments: (i) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the examiner. (iii) In accordance with university policy, the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. (iv) Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner to negotiate such special arrangements. (v) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience.
2.	Deferred work: Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
3.	Course weightings: Course weightings of topics should not be interpreted as applying to the number of marks allocated to questions testing those topics in an examination paper. The examination may test material already tested in assignments.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.