Course Outline 2016
INTBUS 201: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
(15 POINTS)
Semester 1 (1163)
Course Prescription
Explores the distinctive nature of international business, the internationalisation of
business and the interactions among the various actors in international business.
Programme and Course Advice
Prerequisite: BUSINESS 102 or MGMT 101, and ECON 101 and 111, or 191
Restrictions: INTBUS 210, 211
Goals of the Course
The study of international business is situated at the intersection between business and
the international system. We need to understand the structure, processes, and institutions
characterising the international system as well as the firms that adapt to operate in that
system. The international order is dynamic, so we examine how and why it changes so as
to better appreciate why, how, and where international business is done. Because
international business is practiced in the real world, relevant theories and concepts are
introduced within particular historical and political contexts. This course asks which
apparent changes are real and which interests, structures and processes are enduring.
The course aims to equip students with the tools to analyse new developments and assess
their significance.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course it is expected that the student will be able to:
1. Assess what is new and what is not new in the current internationalization of the
business world.
2. Identify the principal actors that have shaped the international business
environment, and the tools they have used to do so.
3. Demonstrate understanding of contending arguments about the motivations of
actors that affect the international business environment.
4. Apply arguments about the sources of tension and change in the international
business system to different historical contexts.
5. Identify and explain the major challenges confronting international business
firms.
Content Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction: business, the international system and international business
In the beginning: trade and empire
The dawn of the international corporation
All that glitters: money matters
A bad business: war, peace, protectionism… war
New rules: the USA and international ‘order’
7. The re-emergence of the multinational firm
8. The challenge of politics: development, distribution and dependence
9. Globalization.. again
10. The rise of the East
11. Fixing finance: challenges for international business
12. Review, outstanding issues, exam briefing
Learning and Teaching
The class meets for three hours each week. Students are encouraged to participate and
contribute during class time. The course requires students to take responsibility for
independent learning, to use the resources that the course provides and to keep
themselves informed of course requirements.
Teaching Staff
Natasha Hamilton-Hart
OGGB, 496
n.hamilton-hart@auckland.ac.nz
Learning Resources
Links to required readings will be made available through the online learning platform for
this course.
There will be regular in-class quizzes (assessed) and lectures do not conform to the
structure adopted by standards textbooks, so plan on being able to attend classes. This
course is not designed for distance learning.
You may want to buy or borrow from the library a standard International Business text as
a source of general reference. This is not required. Such textbooks include:
Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. R., Rammal, H. G., & Freeman, S. (2012).
International business: The new realities. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.
Hill, C. (2011). International business: Competing in the global marketplace. McGraw-Hill.
Dowling, P. Leisch, P., Gray, S. and Hill, C. (2009) International Business. North Ryde,
N.S.W. : McGraw-Hill Australia
Assessment
Quizzes
(best 4 of 6)
Written assignment
Final exam
Learning Outcome
1
2
3
4
5
20%
30%
50%
weeks 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13
due week 8
university schedule
Quizzes
Written
assignment
Final
Exam
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
CANVAS and course communications
This course uses Canvas as a platform for distributing notices, materials and course
requirements. Keep checking it at least once a week, and note that announcements will
go to the email you have linked to your student profile – generally your @aucklanduni
email, so make sure you check this account regularly. If the instructors need to contact
you individually, we will do so through the email address that appears against your name
on Canvas.
If you email the instructor you can expect to receive an acknowledgement within one or
two working days (unless you receive an out-of-office notification). If you do not get an
acknowledgement in this time, DO follow up by phone or in person – student emails have
in the past sometimes ended up lost or in the junk mail folder.
Important Notices about your work
• Details about each component of the assessment will be posted on Canvas and
announced in seminars. Make sure you are clear about what is required, when,
and how to hand it in. If you are not sure, ask the instructor.
• All assignments that you hand in for assessment in this course must be your own
original work done for this course. Assignments must not have been submitted for
credit towards any other course or in any prior version of this course.
• All work must be completed on time and handed in according to the instructions.
Late submissions incur a marks penalty that increases each day.
• The electronic version of your written assignment must be identical to the
hardcopy handed it, and must be posted to turn-it-in by the due date.
• Extensions are given only in very exceptional cases such as significant illness,
accompanied by a doctor’s certificate. Back up your work frequently, as computer
failure is not grounds for an extension.
• Written work must be properly referenced, using a consistent referencing style.
See www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/ for guidelines.
• Your written work should also be written in clear, concise, grammatically correct
English. Please make use of the University’s English language support resources if
you need assistance with this – check the University website, including
http://www.cad.auckland.ac.nz/index.php?p=for_students
***Plagiarism*** is a serious academic offence. If you are found to have plagiarized in
your written work you will be subject to disciplinary action according to the University of
Auckland statutes.
Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas, argument or words without proper
acknowledgement. Take care when you are quoting from source material – if you are using
the same words as the source, these must be in quotation marks and the source referenced.
If you are paraphrasing or borrowing the idea, then you need to indicate the source using
a recognized referencing system.
For resources on plagiarism and how to prevent it, see the University’s guidelines
on
academic
honesty
and
plagiarism,
at
http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/teaching-learning/honesty. This link also
has information on turn-it-in, which we will be using in this course.
• Do ask if you are not sure about what is required or if
there are any concerns that you would like to raise.
Inclusive Learning
Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face
and/or in written form with the course convenor/lecturer and/or tutor.
Student Feedback
Student evaluation of the course will be sought at the end of the course. But please don’t
wait until the end of the course if you have concerns or feedback! Students are welcome
to raise any issues of concern during the course, and also to provide feedback about what
they find useful (or not useful) while the course is in progress. If you feel uncomfortable
approaching the instructor directly, you may also communicate with student
representatives, the undergraduate advisor or the Head of Department.
Cheating and plagiarism
The University of Auckland regards cheating as a serious academic offence.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. In coursework assignments submitted for marking,
plagiarism can occur if you use the work and ideas of others without explicit
acknowledgment. Work can be plagiarised from many sources, including books, journal
articles, the internet, and other students’ assignments. A student’s assessed work may be
reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of
their work for computerised review.
The way of avoiding plagiarism is to reference your work properly. If you are in doubt
about how to reference properly, ask someone – your lecturers, tutors and the Student
Learning Centre are good places to start. Please refer to the following website for further
information about academic referencing: www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/.
The document Guidelines: Conduct of Coursework provides further advice on how to avoid
plagiarism. It can be found at: www.business.auckland.ac.nz/conductcoursework.
The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all of the marks for
the assignment. Major offences can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee,
where further penalties can be imposed.
THIRD PARTY ASSISTANCE WITH COURSEWORK
While you are encouraged to improve your coursework writing skills and are permitted to
seek assistance from third parties you are advised that there are important limits on the
amount and type of assistance that can be given to you in completing your assignments,
including group work. Third parties include fellow students, reading groups, friends,
parents, SLC tutors, and paid-for professional editing services.
There is a set of guidelines which clearly indicates the type of advice and assistance that
can be given. If you are seeking the assistance of any third party you are required to give
a copy of the guidelines to the person prior to them helping or assisting you.
You are also required to only seek and accept help using a printed version of your work,
not an electronic version. You must keep a copy of this printed version and produce it if
required.
A copy of the guidelines is available at: www.business.auckland.ac.nz/thirdpartyassistance.
HELP WITH ACADEMIC REFERENCING
Acknowledgement of sources is an important aspect of academic writing. The University’s
Referen©ite website www.cite.auckland.ac.nz provides students with a one-stop online
resource for academic referencing needs.
Referen©ite explains the essentials of
referencing and how to avoid plagiarism. It also includes practical tools to help students
reference correctly, use references effectively in writing, and gives fast access to some
major reference formats with examples.