Governance and the International Firm

Subject 325-698 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 3-hour seminar per week throughout the semester (Semester 2).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Entry into the Master of International Business.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Subject Overview: International firms face complex problems of governance and increasing scrutiny. Conflicts between shareholders, workforces, consumers and local communities are heightened by interactions with sovereign governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having their own legal jurisdictions and international agreements. Reputation Risk has become an important factor in creating a winning strategy within an interdependent global economy that continuously creates legal, social and economic threats and opportunities. Within a corporate strategy framework, this subject begins with the basic concepts of agent theory, the stakeholder theory and corporate governance in an era of 'social responsibility', examines cases of governance failure, traces how corporations have improved transparency and accountability in response to evolving best practice, and assesses the impact of legislation and media on governance. Aligning ethics (anti-corruption and anti-cronyism policies) and environment with economic competitiveness in the decision-making process of an international organization aims at enhancing its long term value.
Assessment: A written assignment(s) of a practical case, totalling not more then 6000 words.
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • understand how the interaction of governments and NGOs impacts on relations between international firms and their stakeholders
  • understand the importance of reputation risk for international firms and how it can be managed
  • understand how international firms have identified and responded to governance failure
  • understand how the aligning of ethics, environmental responsibility with strategic decision making in an international firm can enhance long term value
  • analyse and synthesise different theories, models and ideas relevant to issues of governance in an international context
  • appropriately apply these theories, models and ideas to different scenarios as presented in case studies and class materials
  • critically evaluate usefulness of the different theories, models and ideas in addressing problems of international governance.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • High level of development
  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Collaborative learning
  • Problem solving
  • Team work
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Interpretation and analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Receptiveness to alternative ideas
Related Course(s): Master of International Business
Master of International Business

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