MGMT1101 Global Business Environment - 2021

Subject Code
MGMT1101
Study Level
Undergraduate
Commencing Term
Term 1
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
6
Delivery Mode
On Campus and Online
School
Management & Governance
This course outline is provided in advance of offering to guide student course selection. Please note that while accurate at time of publication, changes may be required prior to the start of the teaching session. To view other versions, visit the archives .

1. Course Details

Summary of Course

​This course examines key global environmental factors and issues impacting on the development of international business. Major topics include: globalisation of business; national differences in the political, social and legal environment, political and country risk; cultural differences and their impact on international business; ethical issues in international business; international trade issues; theory and politics of foreign direct investment; international competitiveness; the internationalisation of business activities and the development of multinational enterprises; foreign exchange markets; the international monetary system and development of the global capital market.  

Teaching Times and Locations

Please note that teaching times and locations are subject to change. Students are strongly advised to refer to the Class Timetable website for the most up-to-date teaching times and locations.

View course timetable

Course Policies & Support

Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

​This Course is designed to be an introduction to international business. It is one of the eight flexible core courses for the BCom degree and the first compulsory course for the International Business major. International Business can be taken as a single major or co-major in the Bachelor of Commerce and a co-major in the Bachelor of Economics. It is also offered to students majoring in International Business as part of a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Science.

The aim of this course is to help students develop the ability to evaluate the impact of key business environmental factors on multinational firms and how these firms should respond to them. Students majoring in International Business will go on to take MGMT2101 (International Business and Multinational Operations) and MGMT3101 (International Business Strategy) in their second and third year of study.
More specifically, the aims of this Course are:
•    To introduce students to the nature of international business and the internationalised firm;
•    To analyse trends and changes in the current global business environment and debate the impact of globalisation;
•    To show how international business is affected by the many different types of environments (i.e. economic, political, social, cultural, financial, technological) in which it operates;
•    To discuss the relevance of international institutions, governments and non-governmental organisations to international business; and
•    To analyse multinational firms’ responses to threats and opportunities in the global business environment.

2. Staff Contact Details

Position Title Name Email Location Phone Consultation Times
Lecturer-in-chargeDrDouglas Long
By Appointment

​The teaching team will answer emails within 24 hours during business hours only. They will not be available on weekends.

3. Learning and Teaching Activities

Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course

​This course has been designed to provide a supportive context for independent learning. As well as guiding students through the different topics of the course, teaching staff aim to assist students to ‘learn how to learn’ in a university environment. The structure of the course enables students to apply the international business theories and concepts they learn in lectures and the textbook to actual problems and real-life business situations.  
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adopted a blended approach to learning. We may have to be flexible and open to both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities across the term given the uncertainty created by the pandemic.

Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

​An online lecture will be delivered live and recorded. A link to each lecture will be made available for students. Lectures do not simply reiterate materials covered in the textbook but aim to extend them, and provide more detailed and sophisticated analyses of theoretical concepts and applied cases. In order to make the most out of lectures, the reading of textbook chapters should be completed prior to the lecture.


Both Face to Face and Online tutorials may have both synchronous and asynchronous components and consist of group presentations and discussion of presentations and reading materials mainly facilitated by students. We will focus on concepts and ideas covered in lectures and the textbook using your own experience, extra readings, case studies, as well as individual and group activities. The tutorial requires not only your attendance but your active engagement and participation.

Our  teaching sessions are designed to be interactive and will be conducted in real time whereby you can interact with your peers as well as being available on an asynchronous basis. To successfully complete the course, you will need to prepare for classes each week and be an active participant in all in class and on line discussions and activities. The on line discussion thread will be open for a full week commencing the Monday prior to your class and closing on the Sunday night after your class concludes.

We have introduced a blended approach for the online delivery of this course this term. Both synchronous and asynchronous components are built into the course design in order to balance face-to-face and text-based communication enabled by technology. This approach will allow students to join the class without physically present on campus, and more importantly, will allow students more time to reflect on their contributions and construct a more confident response. This blended approach will enhance deeper class engagement.

5. Course Resources

​Hill, C., Hult, T., Wickramasekera, R., Liesch, P., & Mackenzie, K. (2019). Global Business Today. AsiaPacific Perspective. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill.
You can purchase a hard copy of the text from the university bookstore.
If you prefer to have an electronic copy, you can purchase it here: https://unswbookshop.vitalsource.com/products/-v9781743766705

 

6. Course Evaluation & Development

Feedback is regularly sought from students and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. At the end of this course, you will be asked to complete the myExperience survey, which provides a key source of student evaluative feedback. Your input into this quality enhancement process is extremely valuable in assisting us to meet the needs of our students and provide an effective and enriching learning experience. The results of all surveys are carefully considered and do lead to action towards enhancing educational quality.

​Feedback is regularly sought from students and continual improvements are made based on this feedback. At the end of this course, you will be asked to complete the myExperience survey, which provides a key source of student evaluative feedback. Your input into this quality enhancement process is extremely valuable in assisting us to meet the needs of our students and provide an effective and enriching learning experience. The results of all surveys are carefully considered and do lead to action towards enhancing educational quality.

7. Course Schedule

Note: for more information on the UNSW academic calendar and key dates including study period, exam, supplementary exam and result release, please visit: https://student.unsw.edu.au/new-calendar-dates
Week Activity Topic Assessment/Other
Week 1: 15 FebruaryLecture

Globalisation

Chapter 1

 

Tutorial

Open communications with the tutor, start students thinking conceptually, and to introduce Assignments #1

Participation

Week 2: 22 FebruaryLecture

Political & Legal environment

Chapter 6

 

Tutorial

Shifting attention from a “growth at all costs” to consideration of the costs associated with our current dominant economic paradigm, and to start thinking about global business strategic issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnOj3hP4hlE

https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/just-8-men-own-same-wealth-half-world

https://www.wsj.com/articles/populism-inequality-are-primary-risk-to-global-economy-1484143617

http://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/davos-2017

Please view videos prior to class

Participation

Week 3: 1 MarchLecture

The Economic Environment

Chapter 7, 9

Assignment #1 due

 

Tutorial

Extending consideration of PESTLE to the Economic factors and then weighing this in regard to opportunities and threats that need to be considered

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwSB__Ugo1s

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/jeremy-rifkin-interview-2017-6?r=US&IR=T

https://moodle.telt.unsw.edu.au/pluginfile.php/6323033/mod_resource/content/3/The%20third%20industrial%20revolution.pdf

Please view videos prior to class

Participation

Week 4: 8 MarchLecture

Culture

Chapter 5

 

Tutorial

Extending consideration of PESTLE to the Social factors and then weighing this in regard to business operations across borders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Yy6poJ2zs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgdRzyCO5Zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuHj3jsBdKE

Please view videos prior to class

Participation

Week 5: 15 MarchLecture

Technology differentiation & innovation

pp18-29, 275-291, Ch 12

 

 

Tutorial

Extending consideration of PESTLE to the technological factors and then to weigh this in regard to business operations across borders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xOK2aJ-0Js

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sod-eJBf9Y0

Please view videos prior to class

Participation

Week 6: 22 MarchNo Classes

Flexibility Week. No classes

 

 

Week 7: 29 MarchLecture

International Trade and Foreign exchange

Chapters 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12

 

Tutorial

Informing on issues around international trade and issues around payments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLj0zq-lAgM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sod-eJBf9Y0

Please watch videos prior to class

Major Assignment

Participation

Week 8: 5 AprilLecture

Easter Monday Holiday means no synchronous classes on Monday

Strategy and global business

Because of the Easter Public Holiday in Australia, this class will be on an asynchronous basis. It will be prerecorded and available on line.

 

 

Tutorial

Easter Monday Holiday means no synchronous classes on Monday

Strategy and global business

Monday tutorials will be prerecorded and available asynchronously. All other tutorials will continue in their normal format.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnOj3hP4hlE

Please watch videos prior to class

Participation

Week 9: 12 AprilLecture

Doing business in transitional markets

pp 322-344

 

Tutorial

Informing on issues around transitional markets

Participation

Week 10: 19 AprilLecture

Corporate Responsibility -Values and Ethics

Major Assignment

 

Tutorial

Informing on issues around values and ethics

Course Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Ad2osfqqc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-0fu6Uyv24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGE0ifAIXQA

Please watch videos prior to class

Major Assignment

Participation

My Experience Survey

8. Policies and Support

Information about UNSW Business School program learning outcomes, academic integrity, student responsibilities and student support services. For information regarding special consideration and viewing final exam scripts, please go to the key policies and support page.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Business School places knowledge and capabilities at the core of its curriculum via seven Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These PLOs are systematically embedded and developed across the duration of all coursework programs in the Business School.

PLOs embody the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are taught, practised and assessed within each Business School program. They articulate what you should know and be able to do upon successful completion of your degree.

Upon graduation, you should have a high level of specialised business knowledge and capacity for responsible business thinking, underpinned by ethical professional practice. You should be able to harness, manage and communicate business information effectively and work collaboratively with others. You should be an experienced problem-solver and critical thinker, with a global perspective, cultural competence and the potential for innovative leadership.

All UNSW programs and courses are designed to assess the attainment of program and/or course level learning outcomes, as required by the UNSW Assessment Design Procedure. It is important that you become familiar with the Business School PLOs, as they constitute the framework which informs and shapes the components and assessments of the courses within your program of study.

PLO 1: Business knowledge

Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.

PLO 2: Problem solving

Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.

PLO 3: Business communication

Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.

PLO 4: Teamwork

Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.

PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.

PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.

PLO 7: Leadership development

Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.


These PLOs relate to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.  For PG Research PLOs, including Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies, please refer to the UNSW HDR Learning Outcomes

Business School course outlines provide detailed information for students on how the course learning outcomes, learning activities, and assessment/s contribute to the development of Program Learning Outcomes.

UNSW Graduate Capabilities

The Business School PLOs also incorporate UNSW graduate capabilities, a set of generic abilities and skills that all students are expected to achieve by graduation. These capabilities articulate the University’s institutional values, as well as future employer expectations.

UNSW Graduate CapabilitiesBusiness School PLOs
Scholars capable of independent and collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their analysis, critique and reflection, and able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating and embracing innovation and change, as well as engaging and enabling others to contribute to change
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Professionals capable of ethical, self-directed practice and independent lifelong learning
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Global citizens who are culturally adept and capable of respecting diversity and acting in a socially just and responsible way.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

While our programs are designed to provide coverage of all PLOs and graduate capabilities, they also provide you with a great deal of choice and flexibility.  The Business School strongly advises you to choose a range of courses that assist your development against the seven PLOs and four graduate capabilities, and to keep a record of your achievements as part of your portfolio. You can use a portfolio as evidence in employment applications as well as a reference for work or further study. For support with selecting your courses contact the UNSW Business School Student Services team.





Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. This form of ethical scholarship is highly valued at UNSW. Terms like Academic Integrity, misconduct, referencing, conventions, plagiarism, academic practices, citations and evidence based learning are all considered basic concepts that successful university students understand. Learning how to communicate original ideas, refer sources, work independently, and report results accurately and honestly are skills that you will be able to carry beyond your studies.

The definition of academic misconduct is broad. It covers practices such as cheating, copying and using another person’s work without appropriate acknowledgement. Incidents of academic misconduct may have serious consequences for students.

Plagiarism

UNSW regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct. UNSW has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism at UNSW is using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own. All Schools in the Business School have a Student Ethics Officer who will investigate incidents of plagiarism and may result in a student’s name being placed on the Plagiarism and Student Misconduct Registers.

Below are examples of plagiarism including self-plagiarism:

Copying: Using the same or very similar words to the original text or idea without acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This includes copying materials, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document, presentation, composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, website, internet, other electronic resource, or another person's assignment, without appropriate acknowledgement of authorship.

Inappropriate Paraphrasing: Changing a few words and phrases while mostly retaining the original structure and/or progression of ideas of the original, and information without acknowledgement. This also applies in presentations where someone paraphrases another’s ideas or words without credit and to piecing together quotes and paraphrases into a new whole, without appropriate referencing.

Collusion: Presenting work as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people. Collusion includes:

  • Students providing their work to another student before the due date, or for the purpose of them plagiarising at any time
  • Paying another person to perform an academic task and passing it off as your own
  • Stealing or acquiring another person’s academic work and copying it
  • Offering to complete another person’s work or seeking payment for completing academic work

Collusion should not be confused with academic collaboration (i.e., shared contribution towards a group task).

Inappropriate Citation: Citing sources which have not been read, without acknowledging the 'secondary' source from which knowledge of them has been obtained.

Self-Plagiarism: ‘Self-plagiarism’ occurs where an author republishes their own previously written work and presents it as new findings without referencing the earlier work, either in its entirety or partially. Self-plagiarism is also referred to as 'recycling', 'duplication', or 'multiple submissions of research findings' without disclosure. In the student context, self-plagiarism includes re-using parts of, or all of, a body of work that has already been submitted for assessment without proper citation.

To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz

Cheating

The University also regards cheating as a form of academic misconduct. Cheating is knowingly submitting the work of others as their own and includes contract cheating (work produced by an external agent or third party that is submitted under the pretences of being a student’s original piece of work). Cheating is not acceptable at UNSW.

If you need to revise or clarify any terms associated with academic integrity you should explore the 'Working with Academic Integrity' self-paced lessons available at: https://student.unsw.edu.au/aim.

For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise. For information on student conduct see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing. If you are unsure what referencing style to use in this course, you should ask the lecturer in charge.



Student Responsibilities and Conduct

​Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed.

Information and policies on these topics can be found on the 'Managing your Program' website.

Workload

It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying for a course except for Summer Term courses which have a minimum weekly workload of twenty to twenty four hours. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.

View more information on expected workload

Attendance and Engagement

Your regular attendance and active engagement in all scheduled classes and online learning activities is expected in this course. Failure to attend / engage in assessment tasks that are integrated into learning activities (e.g. class discussion, presentations) will be reflected in the marks for these assessable activities. The Business School may refuse final assessment to those students who attend less than 80% of scheduled classes where attendance and participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g. tutorials, flipped classroom sessions, seminars, labs, etc.). If you are not able to regularly attend classes, you should consult the relevant Course Authority.

View more information on attendance

General Conduct and Behaviour

You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class.

View more information on student conduct

Health and Safety

UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others.

View more information on Health and Safety

Keeping Informed

You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.




Student Support and Resources

The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services and resources for students, including:

Business School Learning Support Tools
Business School provides support a wide range of free resources and services to help students in-class and out-of-class, as well as online. These include:

  • Academic Communication Essentials – A range of academic communication workshops, modules and resources to assist you in developing your academic communication skills.
  • Learning consultations – Meet learning consultants who have expertise in business studies, literacy, numeracy and statistics, writing, referencing, and researching at university level.
  • PASS classes – Study sessions facilitated by students who have previously and successfully completed the course.
  • Educational Resource Access Scheme – To support the inclusion and success of students from equity groups enrolled at UNSW Sydney in first year undergraduate Business programs.

The Nucleus - Business School Student Services team
The Nucleus Student Services team provides advice and direction on all aspects of enrolment and graduation. Level 2, Main Library, Kensington 02 8936 7005 / https://nucleus.unsw.edu.au/en/contact-us

Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee strives to ensure that every student is empowered to have equal access to education. The Business School provides a vibrant, safe, and equitable environment for education, research, and engagement that embraces diversity and treats all people with dignity and respect. BUSEDI@unsw.edu.au

UNSW Academic Skills
Resources and support – including workshops, individual consultations and a range of online resources – to help you develop and refine your academic skills. See their website for details.
academicskills@unsw.edu.au

Student Support Advisors
Student Support Advisors work with all students to promote the development of skills needed to succeed at university, whilst also providing personal support throughout the process.
John Goodsell Building, Ground Floor.
advisors@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

International Student Support
The International Student Experience Unit (ISEU) is the first point of contact for international students. ISEU staff are always here to help with personalised advice and information about all aspects of university life and life in Australia.
Advisors can support you with your student visa, health and wellbeing, making friends, accommodation and academic performance.
International.student@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

Equitable Learning Services
Equitable Learning Services (formerly Disability Support Services) is a free and confidential service that provides practical support to ensure that your health condition doesn't adversely affect your studies. Register with the service to receive educational adjustments.
Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building.
els@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services
Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building.
counselling@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 5418

Library services and facilities for students
The UNSW Library offers a range of collections, services and facilities both on-campus and online.
Main Library, F21.
02 9065 9444

Moodle eLearning Support
Moodle is the University’s learning management system. You should ensure that you log into Moodle regularly.
externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 3331

UNSW IT
UNSW IT provides support and services for students such as password access, email services, wireless services and technical support.
UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor).
02 9385 1333



Support for Studying Online

The Business School and UNSW provide a wide range of tools, support and advice to help students achieve their online learning goals. 

The UNSW Guide to Online Study page provides guidance for students on how to make the most of online study.

We recognise that completing quizzes and exams online can be challenging for a number of reasons, including the possibility of technical glitches or lack of reliable internet. We recommend you review the Online Exam Preparation Checklist of things to prepare when sitting an online exam.

MGMT1101