Master of International Business

This course aims to provide students with wide ranging skills that will enhance their effectiveness as managers working in international business. It provides a solid grounding in strategic thinking, relative to international and global market operations, and an understanding of how operating across borders impacts on functional areas (such as marketing, accounting, finance and HRM). This course should also develop an awareness of the policies governing the world trade and investment system, from the perspectives of a sovereign country, a regional trade bloc and a supra-national institutional (such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO). The course emphasises the Asia-Pacific region and pursues a cross disciplinary approach to analysing and solving complex problems.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be able to generate and analyse data relevant for strategic management decisions in the area of international business.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe, explain and apply the fundamental principles of strategic management;
• Identify the various sources of sustained competitive advantage of firms engaged in international business; and
• Evaluate the impact of cultural, political and environmental factors on decision making in international business.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be cognisant of the fundamental differences between doing business across borders and operating in a home market environment.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Identify how foreign markets, institutions and cultures differ from one another;
• Identify how policies related to trade, investment, intellectual property, and labor and environmental standards imposed by nation states and supra-national bodies impact on international business;
• Understand and moderate the impact cultural differences in the operation of international business; and
• Understand the contested nature of globalization.

3. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be effective decision makers in international business and the related public policy domain.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Apply ethical principles and corporate governance strategies relevant to international business;
• Evaluate the applicability of various theories and techniques to international business issues;
• Employ a range of tools of analysis’ pertinent to the evaluation of evidence in international business sector; and
• Use evidence based research techniques to support decisions.

4. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be critical thinkers in the field of international business and adept in developing solutions to problems

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Explain and critically analyse factors that influence decision making within international firms and in their home and host countries;
• Identify issues and solutions in relation to the internationalization strategies of firms; and
• Apply knowledge of theory to analyse case-based and hypothetical problems in a variety of domestic and international markets.

5. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable in the core areas of international business/international management and possess the capabilities to manage a range of functions within those organisations effectively

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:

• Describe the core areas of international management and the related management principles, theories and models;
• Analyse and evaluate the key competencies needed to become a successful international manager including strategic management, human resource management, marketing and other functional disciplines; and
• Critically analyse international organisation’s problems and apply relevant models and theories to generate effective solutions.

Students enrolled in the twelve-subject program will need to successfully complete 12 x 12.5 point semester-long subjects comprising four foundation subjects,six core subjects and two elective subjects over three semesters full-time or six semesters part-time.

Students may commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Foundation subjects

Students enrolled in the twelve-subject program must successfully complete four foundation subjects (50 points) before being permitted to enrol in any further subjects.

Core subjects

Six core international business subjects:

Elective subjects

• An undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent, plus at least two years of documented work and/or professional experience;
• Completion of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT); and
• Personal Statement.

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty 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 Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies;
(2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context;
(3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems; and
(4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.

II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.

III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

On successful completion of this course, students will be:

• Able to generate and analyse data relevant for strategic management decisions in the area of international business;
• Cognisant of the fundamental differences between doing business across borders and operating in a home market environment;
• Effective decision makers in international business and the related public policy domain;
• Critical thinkers in the field of international business and adept in developing solutions to problems;
• Knowledgeable in the core areas of international business/international management and possess the capabilities to manage a range of functions within those organisations effectively;
• Critical evaluation of evidence in support of an argument or proposition;
• Problem solvers in international business/international management through the application of appropriate management theories, principles and data;
• Effective communicators of business and management ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Able to synthesize ideas, theories and data in developing solutions to business and managerial problems;
• Ethical in their practice through a knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Adept at retrieval of relevant information from a variety of sources; and
• Effective team members through participation in collaborative exercises in class room discussion and written assessment.

Please note: The Master of International Business 324 AL is no longer available for entry.

Please note the majority of classes are held after 6.00pm.

Graduate Certificate in International Business

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in International Business. Students must have successfully completed the four international business core subjects in order to be eligible to be awarded with the Graduate Certificate in International Business.

Assessment

Students must pass all twelve subjects to qualify for the Master of International Business twelve-subject program.