University of Technology Sydney

21506 International Business Capstone

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (21511 Global Operations and Supply Chain Management AND 21591 Transnational Management) AND ((21514 Introduction to International Business AND 42 credit points of completed study in 42Credit Points spk(s): MAJ08442 c Ver 10 International Business major BBus) OR 42 credit points of completed study in 42Credit Points spk(s): MAJ08442 c Ver 9 International Business major BBus )
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.

Description

This subject consolidates the knowledge that has been learnt in the International Business major and integrates the core disciplines in a holistic manner. The capstone subject engages students with the overall internationalisation process of companies by challenging them to critically analyse the practical aspects of international management. Such learning contributes to the development of students' professional knowledge in managing in a global environment. Through the analysis of contemporary business cases and market entry decisions for selected international firms, students gain transferable skills to their future work.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. apply international business-related theoretical approaches to work practice relevant to global business environment
2. engage in critical theoretical and professional discourse relevant to manage international business issues
3. synthesise international business-related existing theories and expertise in creative and innovative ways
4. propose and justify a market entry assessment to a company’s international expansion

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following program learning objectives:

  • Apply evidence, creativity and critical reasoning to solve business problems (1.1)
  • Demonstrate ability to work independently and with others as a member of a team to achieve an agreed goal (2.2)
  • Make judgements and business decisions consistent with the principles of social responsibility, inclusion and knowledge of Indigenous peoples (3.1)
  • Apply technical and professional skills to operate effectively in business (4.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The main aim of the capstone courses is to enable students to synthesise all their learning throughout the major and core within the context of selected International Business tasks related contemporary commercial issues. The completed assessment tasks demonstrate a student's ability to conduct field work, synthesise salient information and articulate original ideas and thought processes to make a practical contribution to the existing body of knowledge relevant to their profession. In preparing written reports, and making a public presentation of their findings and their product, process or recommendations, students must demonstrate professional-level competence.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

  • Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Social responsibility and cultural awareness
  • Professional and technical competence

Teaching and learning strategies

The capstone subject will be taught using a combination of large lectures and smaller tutorials.

Lectures: The weekly lectures will cover the application of International Business theories and relevant tools and models to analyse issues faced by firms involved in cross-border business. This will engage students to develop skills to critically analyse business practices for international firms and be ready for conducting individual market entry projects.

Tutorials: The tutorial activities will provide students the opportunity to integrate knowledge from the lectures and from the major. Students will work in groups to discuss weekly activities. In addition, tutorials will also develop students’ skills for conducting comprehensive research for a professional business report.

Students are expected to watch videos, read cases and chapters in the textbook and readings available on the UTS Learning Management System before attending lectures and tutorials. The detailed reading instructions for lectures and tutorials will be stated in the subject schedule on the learning management system. Extensive use is made of the UTS Learning Management System, which will be used to share information, provide feedback and encourage interaction between staff and students.

Students will have significant opportunities to receive feedback from subject coordinator and tutors. All students will be provided with initial feedback about their performance on or before the census date. Feedback throughout the session will also be given verbally and formally by tutors in the class or through replying to students’ emails. In addition, tutors will offer written-feedback on students’ assessments.

Content (topics)

  • Comprehensive analysis of challenges associated with the overall internationalisation process
  • Approaches to researching international business issues
  • Information and critical literacy
  • Advanced team management skills
  • Problem-solving and interdisciplinarity
  • Managing diversity and cultural differences

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Presentation (Group and Individual)*

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

3

This addresses program learning objectives(s):

2.2

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 20%
Length:

Each presentation will be approximately 15 minutes in duration (including 3 minutes interaction/Q&A time).

Criteria:
  • Ability to work independently and in teams
  • Ability to apply international business-related theories in creative and innovative ways
  • Ability to communicate and present clearly and effectively

*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero.

Assessment task 2: Market Entry Strategy Project (Individual) - Part A: Firm and Industry Analysis

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1 and 2

This addresses program learning objectives(s):

1.1

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Length:

2000 words with +/-10% leeway (Excluding reference list and appendix)

Criteria:
  • Ability to evaluate internal and external environment for multinational firms
  • Ability to apply international business-related theories to critically and creatively analyse business practices
  • Ability to apply evidence to solve business problems

Assessment task 3: Market Entry Strategy Project (Individual) - Part B: Country Potential and Entry Strategy Analysis

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 4

This addresses program learning objectives(s):

3.1 and 4.1

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 45%
Length:

2500 words with +/-10% leeway (excluding Part A, executive summary, reference list and appendix).

Criteria:
  • Ability to apply evidence to critically and creatively analyse the relevant business issues
  • Ability to propose business solutions that are consistent with the principles of social responsibility, inclusion and knowledge of indigenous peoples
  • Ability to apply technical and professional skills to deliver a professional standard market entry report

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject's total marks.

Required texts

Cavusgil, S.T., Knight, G., and Riesenberger, J.R. (2019) International Business: The New Realities, 5th Edition, Pearson Australia (ISBN 9781292303246).

Other resources

Your research may require you to use articles from reputable academic publications. Below are some well-regarded international business and management journals that are available via the library databases:

  • Journal of International Business Studies
  • Journal of World Business
  • Journal of Management Studies
  • Journal of International Management
  • Management International Review
  • Global Strategy Journal
  • International Business Review
  • International Journal of Human Resource Management
  • Thunderbird International Business Review
  • Multinational Business Review

ONLINE RESOURCES

  1. UTS Library: useful information to improve your skills in a range of areas, for instance, researching, exam preparation, project management and group work
  2. Student Services: Advice on organising your study, motivating and managing yourself
  3. Other relevant links are provided on Canvas.

Canvas

In this subject, Canvas will be used for the following purposes:

  • To post relevant announcements relating to the subject;
  • To provide subject support materials such as the subject outline and other readings;
  • To display contact information for instructors;
  • To provide additional information or links relating to course content; and
  • As a subject feedback tool.

Your ability to present well organised written work will be important to your written work on this subject. It would be wise for you to revisit the UTS Guide to Writing Assignments as you prepare your report.