Asian Business and Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will examine how the strategy, institutional context and organisation of firms from East and Southeast Asian economies differ from 'typical' western firms. It will explain and conceptualise the nature of Asian management in general and corporate governance in particular, and business practices from an economic, cultural and institutional perspective. The subject draws on insights from cross-cultural management, entrepreneurship theory, institutional and organisational studies, strategic management and social network analysis to explore management systems in the Asian region. Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills learnt to evaluate the viability of the transferability of Asian management systems in general and corporate governence practices in particular.

• Explain and conceptualise the nature of Asian management in general and people management in particular from an economic, cultural and institutional perspective;
• Critically evaluate the usefulness of different research perspectives in understanding the economic organisation and people management that sustain competitive advantage at firm level;
• Compare and contrast Asian and Western approaches to management and business practices, and analyse the role of social networks in management and governance structures, and human resource and labour-management relations;
• Evaluate the transferability of Asian management practices, and the ways in which Asian management receive, adapt and change imported managerial know-how.

50% exam + 3 assignments totalling not more than 5,000 words (2 written assignments worth 10% (1,000 words) and 30% (3,000 words) and one presentation report worth 10% (1,000 words).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

• Synthesis and application of competing managerial theories;
• Problem solving and critical analytical skills, which should be developed via the use of small group discussions, case studies and projects;
• Collaborative learning and teamwork skills, which should be fostered by working in small groups for part of each seminar over the entire semester;
• Oral and written communication skills, which should be developed via group work and group presentations throughout the semester and preparation of the major assignment.