20108 Introduction to International Business
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject covers issues related to the macro-level environment within which international firms operate, such as the different political, economic, socio-cultural and legal country contexts, and the firm-level strategies to manage cross-border operations within these contexts.
Students examine opportunities and challenges associated with contemporary patterns of globalization, including those presented by pressures to enact sustainable and ethical practices across national boundaries. Through applying theories and frameworks to analyse case studies of international firms, they gain a comprehensive understanding of the tensions associated with international business activities.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Discuss how different macro-environmental forces influence approaches to managing international business |
|---|---|
| 2. | Examine the impact of the activities of international firms in light of sustainability and social responsibility |
| 3. | Apply skills in critical thinking to analyse, and proffer practical solutions to, the challenges of operating Internationally |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The subject content and assessment specifically contribute to the graduate attributes of:
- Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
- Communication and collaboration
- Social responsibility and cultural awareness
- Professional and technical competence
- Apply evidence, creativity and critical reasoning to solve business problems (1.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is based on a combination of lectures and tutorials. The lectures provide the structure of the topic area, discussion of the theory and some practical examples that include real-life case questions and videos extracts that encourage you to reflect on (and hopefully discuss) the concepts being introduced.
Tutorials provide an opportunity to discuss cases and issues and to make practical applications of the theory. They are designed to provide you with opportunities to apply subject content toward real-world problems and cases. In tutorials, you will work with a group to discuss case questions and share your ideas with other groups. Tutors will offer constructive feedback for each group.
You are expected to prepare for class by reading and reflecting on designated materials (textbook chapters or online materials) before attending lectures and tutorials. Preparing well for classes will be important to getting the most benefit from classes and to performing well in this subject. Details of the preparation are outlined in the subject schedule at the UTS Learning management System. This site will be used by the subject coordinator and teaching staff to share information, provide feedback and post announcements.
You will have access to feedback about your performance by the census date. The subject coordinator will provide regular feedback in lectures and by replying to your questions through email and consultations. Feedback throughout the session will be provided by tutors when they interact with you in the class or through replying to your emails. In addition, tutors will offer written feedback on your assessments.
In this subject (20108), you analyse the macro-level environment of international business practice. The content is designed to complement the subject Transnational Management (20110), which looks more closely at the micro-level interpersonal knowledge and skills needed to understand, work with and lead people from different cultural backgrounds. In combination, these subjects - and others in the international business major – aim to help you develop the global knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to succeed in international settings.
Content (topics)
- The drivers, constraints and consequences of contemporary patterns of globalisation
- Understanding and responding to global macro-environmental forces (e.g., political, economic, social, environmental and ethical, technological, and legal)
- Being an effective manager across cultures and contexts
- Internationalisation strategies and structures
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Team Presentation (Group)*
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 8 minutes for in class presentation followed by 5 minutes of discussion led by the team in the tutorial class. |
| Criteria: |
*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be accepted. |
Assessment task 2: Case study (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2500 words (+/- 10% leeway) |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2 hours + 10 min reading time |
| Criteria: |
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Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Required texts
Please refer to the reading list in Canvas for weekly material to support the subject.
Recommended texts
A reading list of relevant articles has been provided in Canvas for students. Students should familiarise themselves with these readings and follow the weekly structure.