Units
Business in Asia
Unit code: MGN444
Contact hours:
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The aim of this unit is to enable an intensive study of business and markets in Asia. The development of the major industries is examined, together with major intra-regional patterns of trade, commerce and finance. Significant economic, political and social factors determining developments are focused on, as well as regulatory restraints governing market access. Students are required to undertake a project that requires the application of knowledge of the region to a business issue.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Business professionals need to be able to operate effectively in different regions of the global economy. The business environments within Asia have significant shared features as a consequence of both past and recent political, economic and social developments but have been experienced differentially. The substantial size and global impact of the Asian economy demands that anyone pursuing a career in business or public policy pertaining to business should develop a thorough understanding of the Asian business environment.
Aims
You will develop an understanding of historical trends and recent events that have impacted the Asian business and policy environment. In addition, you will develop an enhanced understanding of Asia's increasingly important place in world business and global politics. Finally, you will develop your skills with regard to critiquing, analysing, arguing and considering alternative points of view.
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context.
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment(TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, relfelction, proactivity and support for team member
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business suitations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action
Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Analyse the current extent, nature and origins of key differences in business and political environments across Asia.
2. Examine the relationship of Asia to the global economy. Differentiate local, national and international influences on the contemporary conduct of business and policy-making in Asian countries.
3. Assess how different stages of economic growth in Asian economies impact on particular firms and industries, both from within and without the region, of recent regulatory developments and policy-making in Asian countries.
4. Exhibit personal skills with respect to active listening, oral communication, academic research and report writing.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
The following topics and research areas will be dealt with during the semester (note: the following list is not a week-by-week synopsis of the program):
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit will be delivered in a flexible format comprising both lecture and tutorial sessions (the latter in a seminar/discussion format - examining specific issues or themes weekly). Activities, however, will be very much student-centred with an expectation of students actually engaging in discussions and having read required materials in advance. Weekly material will generally focus on a particular Asian case or topic for which knowledge and insight gained in previous weeks can be applied. An important feature of the unit will be its interdisciplinary nature, with the opportunity for students to acquaint themselves with a variety of disciplines, including economics, strategic management, public policy, marketing, risk management, environmental studies, sociology and history. This is designed so that students appreciate the complexity of doing business in the Asian region and enhances their need to be aware of past, present and future issues.
This unit uses the SafeAssign tool in BlackBoard. SafeAssign is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using SafeAssign. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
Assessment name:
Research Report
Description:
This individual research report will focus on selected topics provided in the early part of the semester. A criteria and marking sheet will be provided on the Blackboard site, in addition to more detailed instructions and a 'Specifications Checklist'.
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Final Examination
Description:
The final examination will allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge and analytical ability to a small number of cases pertaining to East Asian business or public policy.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed Text: Nil
Required References: In addition to the required readings detailed on the CMD (Course Materials Databases), other reference material pertaining to the weekly topics will be found at the unit's Blackboard site.
Other Resources (recommended reading):
Philippe, L. & Helmut, S. (2006). Strategies for Asia Pacific: Meeting New Challenges, Basingstoke, Hants/New York: Palgrave Macmillian.
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 24-Jan-2013
