Unit rationale, description and aim
Graduates of an MBA are expected to demonstrate knowledge of a broad range of management disciplines in the context of the local and global economic and social environments. Adapting to different cultural work contexts and applying the skills learned in discipline-based units to real life business problems is an essential element of MBA learning. The rationale to include this unit in the course is to provide students with the opportunity to explore business in an international context from both a theoretical, practical and ethical perspectives.
Students will study key models of internationalisation and cross-cultural management. They will explore issues which arise from a regulatory and social perspective when working across different national and cultural context using dialogue and partnerships. A range of opportunities to demonstrate the application of business in international contexts will be offered such as engaging in an applied cross -cultural project either virtually or as part of a planned international study tour. The overarching aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to develop and apply practical skills developed in the MBA program in an applied global context with ethical lenses.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain relevant information from appropriate high...
Learning Outcome 01
Evaluate issues which arise when working with orga...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply discipline knowledge and technical skills su...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Globalisation and the world economy
- Difference between countries – politics, culture and ethics
- International economics, Regional economic integration and global partnerships
- The strategy on international business
- Foreign market penetration
- Exporting, importing and countertrade
- Cross-cultural emersion
Assessment strategy and rationale
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure the level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the Unit.
The assessment strategy for this Unit allows students to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills in international business to the point where they can effectively operate on a global level. In order to develop this level of capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge of international business in an essay, further develop their understanding of organisational change through an article critique and then apply their knowledge and understanding of international business in the final assessment task.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome as indicated in the following Assessment Table.
Overview of assessments
To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure the level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the Unit.
The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to sequentially develop their knowledge and skills in international business to the point where they can effectively operate on a global level. In order to develop this level of capability, students will demonstrate their knowledge of international business through an article critique and then apply their knowledge and understanding of international business in the final assessment task.
Assessment Task 1: Issue Analysis Presentation: ...
Assessment Task 1: Issue Analysis Presentation:
This assessment task consists of a 15 minute pre-recorded presentation where students will use their communication skills to analyse a contemporary issue influencing international business to demonstrate understanding of policy, cultural, and ethical issues which impact on effective international business engagement. This assessment task requires students to engage with current affairs, business press, real word issues and improves their analytical and reflective skills.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Video Presentation
Artefact: Video and Slides
Percentage: 40%
40%
Assessment Task 2: Applied Business Project Thi...
Assessment Task 2: Applied Business Project
This assessment task consists of a 1600-word written business report. This task requires students to apply their knowledge and understanding of international business. Students will need to select a company that is operating in more than one country. Based on publicly available information (e.g., media reports, company website, annual and other publicly available information about the selected company) the student will need to identify and discuss issue(s) facing this organisation from multiple stakeholder perspectives. At least four (4) strategies to address the issue(s) facing this organisation need to be presented.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Applied business project
Artefact: Written business report
60%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress. The fully online mode of delivery is particularly suited to this program, as it accommodates the needs of working professionals in the target countries who are balancing study with career and family responsibilities. Online learning ensures flexibility and accessibility across time zones, while also enabling diverse global cohorts to connect and share perspectives.
Representative texts and references
Bartosik-Purgat, M and Guzek, M (2024) International Business and Culture Challenges in Cross-Cultural Marketing and Management, 1st edition, New York, Routledge. ISBN 9781032636962. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032636962
Breen, K and Deranty, JP (2021) The Politics and Ethics of Contemporary Work: Whither Work?, Routledge. ISBN-10 : 0367198118. ISBN-13 : 978-0367198114
Wernaart, B (2021) Ethics and Business A Global Introduction, 1st Edition, Routledge. ISBN 9781003193951
Wild JJ and Wild K (2023) International Business: The Challenges of Globalization, Global Edition, 10th Edition, Pearson.
Journals
- Journal of International Business Studies
- Management International Review
- Journal of International Marketing
- Global Strategy Journal
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Abisoye, A and Akerele, JI (2022) A Practical Framework for Advancing Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Technological Ecosystems to Support Regional Economic Development and Innovation, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 3(1): 700-713.
Andrews, TG., Rowley, C., Nimanandh, K and Buranapin, S (2019) Corruption in Asia Pacific business organizations: insights on causes, conditions, consequences and treatment. Asia Pacific business review, 25(4), pp.459–469.
Antràs, Pol, de Gortari, Alonso & Itskhoki, Oleg, 2017. Globalization, inequality and welfare. Journal of international economics, 108, pp.387–412.
Berger, Ron et al., 2020. Doing business in India: The role of jaan-pehchaan. Industrial marketing management, 89, pp.326–339.
He, Canfei et al., 2019. Entrepreneurship in China. Small business economics, 52(3), pp.563–572.
Jackson, Terence. (2020). Cross cultural management scholarship and the coronavirus crisis. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management : CCM, 20(2), 119–124.
Li, X. (2022) Who benefits? Global supply chains and the regional comprehensive economic partnership, ARPE 1, 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44216-022-00009-3
Minkov, M and Kaasa, A (2022) Do dimensions of culture exist objectively? A validation of the revised Minkov-Hofstede model of culture with World Values Survey items and scores for 102 countries, Journal of International Management, 28(4), 100971, ISSN 1075-4253,
Orij, René P et al., 2021. Is CSR the new competitive environment for CEOs? The association between CEO turnover, corporate social responsibility and board gender diversity: Asian evidence. Corporate social-responsibility and environmental management, 28(2), pp.731–747.
Piwowar-Sulej, K., Popowicz, E. and Sulich, A (2024) What is the link between internal communication, organizational culture and environmental strategy? The context of company size and employee perception, Central European Management Journal, 32 (2): 301–319.
Sagiv, L. and Schwartz, SH (2022) Personal Values Across Cultures, Annual Review of Psychology, 73: 517-546
Szkudlarek, Betina et al., 2020. Communication and culture in international business – Moving the field forward. Journal of world business : JWB, 55(6), p.101126.
Wen, Wen, Ke, Yun & Liu, Xuejiao, 2021. Customer concentration and corporate social responsibility performance: Evidence from China. Emerging markets review, 46, p.100755.