MGW2351

International business

Unit Guide
Semester 2, 2014

Copyright Monash University 2014. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968,
this work may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and
School/Department.
The information contained in this unit guide is correct at time of publication. The University has the right
to change any of the elements contained in this document at any time.
Last updated: 21 Jul 2014

Table of Contents
MGW2351 International business - Semester 2, 2014............................................................................1
Mode of Delivery..............................................................................................................................1
Workload requirements....................................................................................................................1
Additional workload requirements........................................................................................1
Unit Relationships........................................................................................................................................2
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................2
Prohibitions......................................................................................................................................2
Chief Examiner(s)........................................................................................................................................2
Campus Lecturer(s).....................................................................................................................................2
South Africa.....................................................................................................................................2
Your feedback to Us....................................................................................................................................2
Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit....................................................................................................2
Academic Overview...................................................................................................................................4
Learning Outcomes.........................................................................................................................4
Unit Schedule.............................................................................................................................................5
Teaching Approach..........................................................................................................................5
Assessment Summary.....................................................................................................................6
Hurdle Requirements...........................................................................................................6
Second marking...................................................................................................................7
Return of final marks............................................................................................................7
Exam viewing.......................................................................................................................7
Assessment criteria..............................................................................................................7
Assessment Requirements......................................................................................................................8
Assessment Tasks...........................................................................................................................8
Assessment task 1...............................................................................................................8
Assessment task 2...............................................................................................................8
Assessment task 3...............................................................................................................9
Examination(s).............................................................................................................................................9
Examination 1................................................................................................................................10
Learning resources....................................................................................................................................10
Feedback to you........................................................................................................................................10
Extensions and penalties...........................................................................................................................10
Returning assignments..............................................................................................................................10
Resubmission of assignments...................................................................................................................11
Referencing requirements.........................................................................................................................11
Assignment submission.............................................................................................................................11
Hard copy submission...................................................................................................................11
Online submission.........................................................................................................................11
Prescribed text(s) and readings.....................................................................................................11
Recommended text(s) and readings..............................................................................................12
Examination material or equipment...........................................................................................................12
Other Information....................................................................................................................................13
Policies..........................................................................................................................................13
Graduate Attributes Policy.................................................................................................13
Student Charter.........................................................................................................................................13
Student services........................................................................................................................................13
Monash University Library.........................................................................................................................13
Moodle 2....................................................................................................................................................13
Disability Liaison Unit................................................................................................................................14

MGW2351 International business - Semester 2, 2014

The international environment including international trade and investment, and the legal, political,
cultural and technological contexts faced by internationalising organisations; forms of operations
available to the internationalising organisation; the impact of the multinational enterprise; international
strategic planning.

Mode of Delivery
South Africa (Day)

Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester

Additional workload requirements

This is a six credit point unit with three hours class contact per week over 12 teaching weeks. Class
contact hours will be made up of traditional lecture/tutorial sessions as well as online lectures. Students
enrolled in Coursework programs in the Faculty of Business and Economics are required to attend a
minimum of 80% of the scheduled class sessions for each unit. If you do not attend the required number
of classes, your performance could be compromised, and you may not be eligible to join a group for the
group assessment requirements if you are not present at class when the groups are assigned.
To be successful, it is expected you will need to invest 12 hours per week in this unit. To meet this
university expectation, you will need to invest nine (9) hours in self-directed study, in addition to the three
(3) hours of class contact, each week. Importantly, invest the 12 hours per week evenly over the
semester, starting in Week 1. As such, a fulltime student load is 48 hours per week, for 32 weeks of the
year, leaving 20 weeks without this investment. The time invested in study consequently means that,
during semester, other commitments may have a lower priority, which is then regained once semester is
finished.
A generally suggested time allocation each week is:
3 hours preparation for class (taking notes whilst completing readings, exercises, previewing
lecture notes and the like)
3 hours class time (in class or watching lectures online taking notes, discussion, asking and
answering questions, exercises and the like)
3 hours completing assessment tasks (translating the preparation and class time activities into
assessment items, as well as undertaking further research as required)
1 hour self-reflection (reviewing notes and assessment as to the achievement of the topics
learning objectives identify successes and continuing gaps)
1 hour study group (in a group of 4-5 students, reviewing the achievement of the topics learning
objectives and filling the learning gaps, and preparing for the next topic)
1 hour exam preparation, if applicable (reviewing the learning objectives to design probable exam
questions, and answering other students or provided practice exam questions). If your unit
doesnt have an exam, this hour should be allocated to one or more of the above activities, as
appropriate.
It is recommended that these above tasks are distributed across the week (do not have one day on just
this unit), and that you also allocate a day or two each week without study (for any unit).

MGW2351 International business - Semester 2, 2014

If you have not previously invested this amount of time in study, or feel you may need assistance
developing an appropriate time plan for yourself, please register for a time-management workshop with
Health and Wellbeing or the Library: https://my.monash.edu.au/news-and-events/bookings/

Unit Relationships
Prerequisites
It is recommended that students complete MGW1010 before undertaking this unit

Prohibitions
MGC2120, MGF2351, MGG2351

Chief Examiner(s)
Mr Manjit Singh Sandhu

Campus Lecturer(s)
South Africa
Ms Angela Obwaka
Campus: Johannesburg
Email: Angela.Obwaka@monash.edu
Contact hours: to be advised

Your feedback to Us
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers
and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student
Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The Universitys student evaluation policy requires that
every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The
feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied
and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monashs educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see:
www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

The unit has a strong practical approach
Great use of examples makes the topics meaningful
Lecturer's knowledge and experience on topics helps the learning experience
Recent innovations include use of Monash student developed cases, use of critical thinking exercises
and relevant podcasts/DVDs.
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MGW2351 International business - Semester 2, 2014

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Academic Overview
Learning Outcomes
The learning goals associated with this unit are to:
1. examine the impact the international environment has on the internationalisation process of an
organisation
2. evaluate the role and influence of government and international funding and trade organisations
3. identify the strategic issues impacting on internationalising organisations
4. analyse how entry mode choice and the functional areas of management impact on the
internationalisation of a firm.

Unit Schedule
Week

Activities

Please refer to the end of this unit guide for more

detailed unit schedule information.

International Business Overview, Globalisation and

the Multinational

International Trade and Investment Theory, Foreign

Direct Investment (FDI)

Formation of National Trade and Investment Policies,

International Cooperation between Nations

International Monetary System and Balance of

Payments, Foreign Exchange and International
Financial Markets

The International Macro Environment: Economic,

Legal and Political

The International Macro Environment: Cultural,

Technical and the Natural. The Micro Environment
(Suppliers, Customers and Competitors).

Modes of Entry 1: Exporting, Licensing, Franchising

Modes of Entry 2: FDI, Strategic Alliances, Greenfield

and M & A

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility:Ethical issues in

International Business

10

International Strategy: Planning, Implementation and

Control

11

International Structure: Designing the international

operation

12

Functional Areas of IB: Human Resources, Marketing,

Production and Logistics

Assessment
No formal assessment or activities are
undertaken in week 0

Case presentations start week 3

Assignment 1 due Friday week 5 by 5pm

Assignment 2(group) due Monday week

10 by 5pm

SWOT VAC

No formal assessment is undertaken

SWOT VAC

Examination period

LINK to Assessment Policy:

http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

Teaching Approach
Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer
learning.
Additionally, in the Department of Management, and in this unit, we adopt a pastoral care
approach to your academic progress and overall wellbeing as a student. University is a time of
change, which induces many responses including anxiety, stress and negative thoughts. This
time is more stressful with other changes within our lives outside of university. If you do need
assistance to manage these changes, or even just talk to someone, there is a lot of support
5

Unit Schedule
available, and support that will help. If your first contact cannot assist directly, they will know who
can, so please take the first step and ask.
Please contact your lecturer: http://search.monash.edu/email/
Online resources: http://www.monash.edu.au/counselling/self-help/
Please contact counselling: http://www.monash.edu.au/counselling/
Please contact medical services: http://www.monash.edu.au/health-medical/
Please contact Faculty Student Services: http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/contact.html
Please contact Library and Learning Skills:
http://monash.edu/library/skills/resources/index.html
There are also other resources freely available, including:
English as a Second Language (ESL) Growth: www.elg.edu.au
If English is not your first language, check out these great exercises and tips to
maintain and enhance your English capacity
Language and Learning Online: www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/
Check out these great online learning workshops and tips for academic reading,
writing, listening, speaking, study skills and grammar.
If you are presenting academic at-risk triggers, including missing classes, late submissions, failing
assignments and the like, you may be contacted by your tutor or lecturer enquiring if further
support is needed. Please take advantage of these opportunities. If you are not contacted, though
feel you are at risk, please ask for support.
Again, it is an unfortunate though normal part of university life to be faced with some difficult
situations there is help to deal with these so please ask for it.

Assessment Summary
Within semester assessment: 60%
Examination: 40%
Assessment Task

Value

Due Date

Individual Essay

20%

WEEK 5 FRIDAY 5PM

Group Project

30%

Week 10, Monday 5pm

Class case presentation 10%

Pairs will present between week 3- 12

Examination 1

To be advised

40%

Hurdle Requirements
There is a hurdle requirement in this unit.
The learning outcomes in this unit require students to demonstrate in the individual summative
assessment task a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the unit. This is demonstrated
by the requirement that the student must attain a mark of at least 40% in the final summative
assessment task.
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Unit Schedule
A students final mark is normally the sum of the marks obtained in all of the individual assessment items
in the unit. Where a student fails the unit solely because of failure to satisfy the hurdle requirement a
mark of 48 will be returned for the unit.

Second marking
Where an assessment task is given a fail grade by an examiner, that piece of work will be marked again
by a second examiner who will independently evaluate the work, and consult with the first marker. No
student will be awarded a fail grade for an assessment task or unit without a second examiner confirming
the result.
Note: Exceptions to this are individual pieces of assessment contributing 10% or less of the final mark,
unless the total of such pieces exceeds 30% of the final mark.

Return of final marks

Faculty policy states that 'the final mark that a student receives for a unit will be determined by the Board
of Examiners on the recommendation of the Chief Examiner taking into account all aspects of
assessment'.
The final mark for this unit will be released by the Board of Examiners on the date nominated in the
Faculty Calendar. Student results will be accessible through the my.monash portal.

Exam viewing
Exam sightings for Department of Management units are held no later than 7 days after results have
been published. Students are required to complete and submit a Request to Sight Examination Script
form to the Department of Management. Students can collect this form from the Department of
Management Academic Services Office at their home campus. There is no requirement or obligation that
comments will be provided when students view their exam script.
Please see
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/unit-assessment-procedures.html
#FFeedbacktoStudents
Scripts subject to an appeal shall be retained for one month after conclusion of the appeal or six months
after notification of results - whichever is the greater.

Assessment criteria
Assessment Criteria Grading Descriptors available at:
http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/esg/agu/policies/assessment.html.

Assessment Requirements
Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1
Title:
Individual Essay
Due date:
WEEK 5 FRIDAY 5PM
Details of task:
Students will be required to submit an essay that provides indepth analysis of the the
following statement:
According to a recent report by Ernst & Young, there is a recent surge in Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa. The number of FDI projects on the continent grew
by 27 per cent compared with 2010, with particularly strong growth in the metals
and minerals sector, communications and food and tobacco.

Critically discuss the factors influencing this surge in inward FDI. You are expected
to integrate Dunnings OLI (Eclectic Paradigm) into your write up as well as provide
various examples/cases of foreign companies investing in Africa.
Word limit:
2,000 words excluding appendices and references
Weighting/Value:
20%
Estimated return date:
All assignments will be returned within three weeks of submission
Criteria for marking:
The marking rubric is available on Moodle
Learning objectives assessed:
1, 2 and 3.
Submission details:
Hand in on the date given
Penalties for late lodgement:
10% per day including weekends
Assessment coversheet:
Please ensure you attach a signed Assessment Coversheet

Assessment task 2
Title:
Group Project
Due date:
Week 10, Monday 5pm
Details of task:
You work as an International Business Manager for a telecommunication company in
South Africa. Write an international business plan for your company's Board of Directors
arguing why your company should set up a business in China, India, Botswana,
Nigeria(select any one country).
Come up with a simple company profile.

Assessment Requirements
Conduct an environmental scaning (of the country you decide to choose) as well
as a brief market analysis
Analyse the core competencies that your company can leverage to gain
competitive advantage. Apply IB concepts where relevant
Identify a suitable mode of entry with arguments supporting your proposal. Apply
IB theories where relevant.
Conclusion
Word limit:
3,500 words
Weighting/Value:
30%
Estimated return date:
Week 6
Criteria for marking:
Refer to the Marking Rubric in Moodle.
Learning objectives assessed:
1, 2, 3 and 4
Submission details:
Hand in a hard copy during your tutorial.
Penalties for late lodgement:
10% per day including weekends
Assessment coversheet:
All students in your group must sign an Assessment coversheet and attach these to the
front of your group assignment

Assessment task 3
Title:
Class case presentation
Due date:
Pairs will present between week 3- 12
Details of task:
Pairs (maximum 2) will be allocated a case to present for that week.
Weighting/Value:
10%
Presentation requirements:
Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes plus 5-10 minutes for questions. Both
members of the group must present. Printed slides are required to be given out to others.
Try to make the presentation as creative and innovative as possible so that it attracts the
attention and interest of the audience
Estimated return date:
Following tutorial
Criteria for marking:
Presentation evaluation form is located on moodle
Learning objectives assessed:
Covers all learning objectives.

Examination(s)

Assessment Requirements
Examination 1
Weighting:
40%
Length:
2 hours
Type (open/closed book):
Closed book
Hurdle requirements:
Students are required to achieve a minimum of 40% in the final exam.
Where a student fails the unit solely because of failure to satisfy the hurdle requirement a
mark of 48 will be returned for the unit.
Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
None
Remarks:
Unit objectives 1 - 4 including all learning objectives from Weeks 1-12. Further
information about the exam will be provided during the semester.

Learning resources
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Feedback to you
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
Graded assignments with comments
Other: In accordance with the University procedures on Unit Assessment, students should
receive feedback on student performance in examinations and other end-of-semester
assessment.

Extensions and penalties

Extensions are only allowed at the discretion of the CE.
All members of the group are expected to deliver their presentation on the dates specified. Failure to
present will result in a fail for this assessment task. There will be penalties for late submission of
assignments. Further details will be provided during tutorials.

Returning assignments
Assignments will be returned within three weeks of submission.

10

Assessment Requirements

Resubmission of assignments
Resubmission is not allowed.

Referencing requirements
Referencing requirements are detailed in the Q-manual at:
http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/qmanual/qmanual.pdf

Assignment submission
Hard copy submission
Assignments must include a cover sheet. The coversheet is accessible via the Monash portal page
located at http://my.monash.edu.au under the heading Learning and teaching tools. Please keep a copy
of tasks completed for your records.

Online submission
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, use only the Moodle assignment submit tool.
Do not submit files attached to email. Access Moodle in the Home tab by clicking on Moodle, when you
log in to my.monash portal using your Authcate and password. Select the unit for which you wish to
submit work.
Assignments must include a cover sheet. The coversheet is accessible via the Monash portal page
located at http://my.monash.edu.au under the heading Learning and teaching tools. Please keep a copy
of tasks completed for your records.
Unless you have made prior arrangements with your lecturer, only the following file formats will
be accepted: .doc, .pdf, .html;
It is essential you adhere to the following format for the naming of the file you wish to submit:
it must contain your Authcate name; and
there must be no space in the filename.
You will receive a confirmation message within Moodle once you have successfully submitted
your assignment within the electronic dropbox.
Comments and grading of your assessment will be communicated to you either by Moodle, email,
or post.
Instructions for submitting an assignment electronically using Moodle are found
at http://www.vle.monash.edu/supporttraining/learnbytech/moodle/students/submitting-an-assignment.html

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Hill, C.W., (2012), International Business: Competing in the global marketplace, 9th Ed, New York:
McGraw-Hill /Irwin.
Note: If you purchase Hill, C.W., (2013), International Business: Competing in the global marketplace,
9th Ed, New York: McGraw-Hill /Irwin you will need to have access to the critical thinking and discussion
questions in the 8th Ed.
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Assessment Requirements
You will need to have continuous access to the text throughout the semester.

Recommended text(s) and readings

A list of further essential and recommended readings is provided on Moodle as well as through the
Monash Library website (select the MGW 2351 readings list).

Examination material or equipment

No calculators or written material will be required for the exam.

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Other Information
Policies
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and
students are aware of the Universitys academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might
uphold them. You can find Monashs Education Policies at:
www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
Student Academic Integrity Policy and Student Academic Integrity: Managing Plagiarism and
Collusion Procedures ;
Assessment in Coursework Programs;
Special Consideration;
Grading Scale;
Discipline: Student Policy;
Academic Calendar and Semesters;
Orientation and Transition; and
Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy.

Graduate Attributes Policy

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/
education/management/monash-graduate-attributes-policy.html

Student Charter
www.opq.monash.edu.au/ep/student-charter/monash-university-student-charter.html

Student services
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need
advice and see the range of services available at http://www.monash.edu.au/students

Monash University Library

The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to
save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the
library tab in my.monash portal for more information.

Moodle 2
All unit and lecture materials, plus other information of importance to students, are available through the
virtual learning environment Moodle site. You can access Moodle via the my.monash portal.
Where to go for help
If you're stuck, confused or simply not sure how to approach Moodle, there are a number of Moodle
resources that you can tap into.
13

Other Information

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to
discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a
regular basis.
Website: http://www.monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html
Telephone: 03 9905 5704 to book an appointment with a DLO;
Email: dlu@monash.edu
Drop In: Equity and Diversity Centre, Level 1, Building 55, Clayton Campus.
UNIT SCHEDULE
Week

Topic
International Business Overview,
Globalisation and the Multinational

Week 1

Tutorial References/Readings/Activities
Read Chapter 1
Tutorial 1: Form groups for presentation/major
assignment
Exercise: Why go international ?
Case study: Aussiebum.

Week 2 International Trade and Investment

Theory
Foreign Direct Investment

Week 3 Formation of National Trade and

Investment Policies.

Read the case and have an open discussion

Read chapter 6, 8
Case study: Lakshmi Mittal and the growth of Mittal
Steel
Read the case and have an open discussion
Read chapter 3 and 7
Students(in pairs) to start presenting the cases

International Cooperation between

Nations
Week 4 International Monetary System and
Balance of Payments.

Case study: The European Energy Market

Read chapter 11

Case study: Hyundai faces a strong won.

Foreign Exchange and International
Financial Markets
Week 5 The International Macro Environment: Read chapters 2 and 3.
Economic, Legal and Political
Case study:Japan's Economic Malaise

Week 6 The International Macro

Environment: Socio-cultural,
Technical and Natural. The Micro
Environment (Suppliers, Customers
and Competitors).
Week 7 Modes of Entry: Exporting and
Countertrade Licensing and
Franchising

Read chapter 4
Matsushita (Panasonic) and Japan's Changing
Culture
Read chapter 15, 16
Case Study: MD International
14

Other Information
Week 8 Modes of Entry: FDI, Strategic
Alliances, Greenfield and M & As

Read Chapter 8, 15
Case Study: GE's Joint Ventures

Week 9 Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, Read Chapter 5

Ethical issues in International
Business
Case Study:Knights Apparel

Week 10 International Strategy: Planning,

Implementation and Control
Week 11 International Structure

Read chapter 13, 14

Case Study: Evolving strategy at IBM
Read chapters 10 and 11

Designing the international operation Case Study: A Decade of Organisational Change at

Unilever
Week 12 Functional Areas of IB: Human
Student homework. Read chapters 17, 18, 19.
Resources, Marketing, Production
and Logistics
Case Study: Microsoft in India
SWOT VAC
No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC
Examination period
See Policy section for link to Assessment Policy

15