Course Title: Business Globalisation: A Study Abroad China

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Business Globalisation: A Study Abroad China

Credit Points: 24


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ISYS2382

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Spring2006,
Spring2008,
Spring2009,
Spring2010,
Spring2013

ISYS2383

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Spring2006,
Spring2008,
Spring2009,
Spring2010,
Spring2013

Course Coordinator: Dr 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

Students will gain practical knowledge and understanding of the professional practice and the total management process associated with the western globalisation of business. How does one prepare for the globalisation juggernaut that will affect the new models, the new businessperson and the new corporation will be analysed in this subject. Students will be encouraged to ask very pertinent and sometimes controversial questions regarding the globalisation of business and international trade etc.

Within this context attention will be given to skills development in the areas of the global businessperson for the 21st century. There will be a strong focus on the corporations and careers of the future with a specific country study.

The study abroad component will focus on China, whereby students will study investigate and analyse the journey from Empire to Colony to Revolution, to Economic Superpower in a Socialist framework.

This course introduces a range of issues related to the topic of business globalisation within a Chinese context. Advances in transportation, technology and communication have dramatically increased the level of global interaction in China. As a result many issues pertaining to technology, culture, politics, economics, ethics, human resource management and the environment are analysed from a broader global perspective in the beginning and then a narrower regional and Chinese perspective.

Chinese and international site visits and exposure to international practitioners in the all areas of business contribute significantly to the teaching and learning experience of the student.

The knowledge and skills developed throughout the course are relevant to all industries and sectors. They are essential in the development, application and evaluation of business globalisation.

The course will be particularly useful for students who have identified key business globalisation concepts while they have been studying or working. It will also provide students with valuable business skills and to see the relevance of the application of these theories, concepts, knowledge and skills to any discipline of study.

It is believed that all students undertaking the course will benefit from the opportunity to work in multi- and cross-disciplinary teams and from exposure to the ideas, knowledge and skills of their peers from other faculties, other programs and year-levels.
 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capabilities developed in this course include the ability to:

  • Develop an appreciation of cross cultural issues associated with business practice in a global business environment.
  • Critically appreciate and evaluate relationships between global and national business
  • Be aware of culturally sensitive business decisions within a diverse global environment
  • Use reflective practice techniques as part of ethical management strategy for globally networked organisations
  • Work effectively as part of a global multi-discipline collaborative team
  • Develop a high level of communication skills whilst dealing with a new culture
  •  Introduction to the design of global business strategies across different cultures
  • The industry input will allow for the analysis and evaluation of professional practice
  • Theory will be put into practice during the onshore and offshore classes.


Learning Outcomes developed in this course include the ability to: 
 

  • Critically appreciate and evaluate relationship between global and Chinese business.
  • Use reflective practice techniques as part of ethical management strategy for globally networked organisations .
  • Work effectively as part of a global multi-discipline, collaborative team.
  • Make culturally sensitive business decisions within a diverse global environment .
     


Overview of Learning Activities

What opportunities does the course provide for me to learn? What will I be expected to do?

The course for the Global study tours will involve both onshore and offshore learning activities. These activities can be classified in to three general categories –

Theoretical

Lectures and/or workshops conducted by academic staff will provide students with theoretical principles in selected disciplines of business.

Practical

Lectures and/or workshops conducted by business practitioners who will provide students with an insight into selected aspects of business practices in Australia and the respective country, in this case China.

Applied

Assessment tasks will involve students engaging in various activities including small group face to face discussions, online discussions, individual reports and group presentations incorporating both the practical and theoretical aspects of the program.

The study abroad component consists of a two week intensive teaching and learning experience. During these intensive workshops, participants will engage in experiential learning activities that are designed to explore cross-cultural, social and political issues associated with engaging in business in a global knowledge economy.

Specifically the Learning Activities are:

  • Identify and investigate selected aspects of business practices and compare these to Chinese business practices.
  • Record observations and reflect on personal experiences identifying similarities and differences in the cultural approaches and interpretations of social and teaching and learning practices.
  • Reflect upon the processes of cultural and social adjustment involved in living and studying in another culture.
  • Investigate their cultural assumptions and their practices, and identify their effect on others.
  • Attend and participate in lectures and/or Site Visits in China
  • Participate in workshop discussions and/or online discussions


Overview of Learning Resources

Prescribed Text:

  •  Friedman, Thomas L. (2007) The World Is Flat. Penguin Books.

Highly Recommended Reading:

  • Friedman, Thomas L. (2008) Hot, Flat and Crowded. Penguin Books.
  • Gupta, A.K. & Govindarajan, V. (2003) Global Strategy and Organizations. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Gupta A.K. & Westney D.E. (Eds) (2003) Smart Globalization: Designing Global Strategies, Creating Global Networks. San Francisco: Josey Bass.
  • Hill, C.W.L. (2007) International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. (7th edition) Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
  •  Lardy, N.R. (2002) Integrating China into the Global Economy. Washington D.C:
  •  Brookings Institution Press.
  •  Lechner F. J. and Boli J. (2004) The Globalization Reader. UK: Blackwell Publishing
  • Shenkar, O. (2005) The Chinese Century – The rising Chinese Economy and its Impact on the Global Economy, the Balance of Power, and Your Job. Wharton School Publishing


Overview of Assessment

ISYS2382 UNDERGRADUATE

The assessment for this course comprises of four tasks. Students must pass each component in order to successfully complete the course. The assessment tasks are as follows:

  1. Individual Reflective Journal on China Study Tour
  2. Individual SUIBE Assessment Task as specified by SUIBE in China
  3. Individual Business Report
  4. Group Presentation

ISYS2383 POSTGRADUATE

The assessment for this course comprises of four tasks. Students must pass each component in order to successfully complete the course. The assessment tasks are as follows:

  1.  Individual Reflective Journal on China Study Tour
  2.  Individual SUIBE Assessment Task as specified by SUIBE in China
  3.  group Business Report and presentation