Course Title: Business Background

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Business Background

Credit Points: 12

Course Coordinator: Paul R. Cerotti

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5785

Course Coordinator Email:paul.cerotti@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

The overall aim of this course is to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of the global Australian, economic and business environment. This course gives students who are considering starting a small business enterprise, or entering the International business arena, the opportunity to examine the feasibilities and the particular problems one faces when venturing into the world of business.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Specific learning objectives for the course include:

• Apply a critical appreciation of the relationship between global business and local business as well as the management of time, cost, quality, and change management, within the organisational context of governance, cultural and ethical issues.

• Utilise the knowledge of the issues involved in global business with the various standards and management practices commonly adopted by organizations undertaking global business practices around the world. This will be achieved through case study analysis, prescribed readings and reflective analysis of the issues at play.
• the ability to undertake and critically evaluate business practice in a global setting

• Work effectively within a team setting as a global business specialist with professional and project management skills (analytical and problem solving skills, communication skills and leadership) Decision making and problem solving in the classroom in relation to real life case studies and industry scenarios presented by industry guest speakers.
• Manage effective relationships while working in a team environment.
§ Interdependence of business partnerships and alliances with suppliers, distributors, customers both locally and globally
§ Concepts relating to change management and its implications for business globalisation
§ Managing people, time resources, self and time effectively
• Utilising the underlying principles of managing in a global environment which incorporates: the importance of continuing to research, develop and commercialise creativity, innovation and achievement for the sustainable growth of business in an international context.
• Recognise the need for, and the ability to develop and implement internationally socially aware, responsible businesses that focus on the triple bottom line and sustainability
• Ability to utilise skills in making an effective verbal presentation in a business setting

Capabilities

• Creating global awareness and solutions for business
• Designing and developing systems for managing all scales of businesses
• Dealing with interdependent relationships and managing multiple stakeholders
• Initiating organisational action through the application of research and planning processes and the critical reflection and evaluation of performance
• Working effectively in small teams which requires responsive and responsible practice
• Using statistical data to inform management decision making
• Analysing reports to evaluate international business trends in order to forecast future global business scenarios
• Analysing market situations and applying appropriate research methodologies
• Forming and communicating change management plans
• Develop and awareness of social and environmental responsibility for the community
• Applying a variety of analytical tools to solve business problems

The capabilities that a student can acquire during the study of this course are that he or she will be:

Knowledgeable - in the area of Australian and International business and become aware of the social, cultural and global environment in which we live. The mechanics of business will be given attention throughout the semester.

Creative - This course demands that students be innovative in their thinking, as well as problem solvers. The major assignment calls for the students to display their entrepreneurial skills in all facets of business, so as to add value to the business world and to take some risks in a very volatile marketplace.

Critical - throughout the semester students will become more analytical and aware of the need to have a quality focus at all times. An international perspective, and being capable of strategic thinking and of informed decision making will form part of the overall learning experience.

Responsible - The world of business demands that one have a socio-economic awareness, a sense of personal integrity and display ethical behaviour. Students in this course actually study a whole module of Social Responsibility and Ethics.

Employable - All modules in the course encourage students to be self motivated, adaptable, hard working and confidant to face the job market. All areas of study try to instil good communication skills and a commitment to life long learning. The module on ’Marketing your best asset - ’YOU’, prepares students for the job market with various strategies.

Leaders - The study of this course requires all students to demonstrate vision in a business context, as well as the capacity to build, work and encourage business teams to reach their goals. The international flavour of the various classes with international students encourages strong interpersonal and cross cultural skills. A systems approach to analysing various problems is favoured so that students can maximise their output.

Utilise the knowledge of the issues involved in global business with the various standards and management practices commonly adopted by organizations undertaking global business practices around the world.

Work effectively within a team setting as a global business specialist

Overview of Learning Activities

In this course as in all similar situations it is YOU who wants and needs to learn and hence, it is YOU who must take the responsibility for your own learning - or lack of it.

Wherever possible the course activities have been designed to encourage you to be active rather than passive participants in the process. The more active and involved you are the more you will gain from the course.

If you just sit back in tutorials and lectures or if you don’t do the required reading and other preparation, then you cannot expect to receive the full value from the sessions.

The over-riding value orientation of this course can, we believe, be described as Positive. We believe that every student who commences the course has the capability to pass - however each year some students try to prove us wrong. If you are prepared to put in the time and effort required, and then you will succeed.

However, it is a very complex course area and some students will require a good deal of effort to keep up. We do not see you as ’empty vessels’ devoid of all knowledge - nor do we see ourselves as Oracles of all knowledge (e.g. full jugs) in this extremely complex and at times imprecise course.

Each of you will have knowledge and experiences to share with the class to assist us all to maximise our learning. The role of the staff members is that of facilitators and co-ordinators of the learning situation as well as general resource people. Please feel free to contact your tutor, or course leader, if you are having any difficulties or problems.

REMEMBER: We cannot help you solve a problem if we do not know about it.

Together we should aim to make this course as, enjoyable, satisfying, successful and rewarding an experience as possible.

Learning Activities

Linking the process of Business Background to the content and context of the disciplines of the student’ academic programs
Comprehending the complexities of international business and local business practices
The development of business plans to fit financial, social and community needs;
Both oral and written communications skills in developing and producing assignments;
Providing feedback to peers and reflective practice;
Building
teams which may be cross cultural, cross disciplinary and cross programs;

Overview of Learning Resources

Learning resources include:
Text and reference books, articles, magazines, websites as well as access to a network of industry specialists.

Overview of Assessment

There is different assessment criteria for both postgraduate and undergraduate students and this will be discussed in class.

This course consist of:

Written Assessment

Group Presentation

Group Assignment