Global Business Practicum

Subject MGMT90112 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

January, Parkville - 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

July, Parkville - 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

This subject provides an in-country study experience. Students will experience culture, society and business practices at first hand while practising their business and management skills.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 16 hours of seminars pre-departure (2 x days of 9am-5pm); full-day attendance for 10 days at the host company (70 hours); 2-hour de-briefing session.
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 156 hours per semester
Prerequisites:

Completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of application if enrolled in a 200-point degree and completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of subject commencement if enrolled in a 100- or 150-point degree.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Prakash Singh

Contact

Graduate School of Business and Economics
Level 4, 198 Berkeley Street
Telephone: +61 3 8344 1670
Online Enquiries
Web: www.gsbe.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: Students will be assigned in small groups to a Practicum Organisation. Working in teams, they will undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This will be supported by seminar work providing approaches, tools, techniques and reporting format. During the practicum, in-depth work will be undertaken in identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information in real business settings, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, to present their findings and seek and received constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing the business project.
Objectives:

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Apply theory and practice of graduate level studies in commerce to resolving real-world business issues;
  • Research, analyse, evaluate and propose practical business solutions within the bounds of the exercise;
  • Identify key strategic questions, assess options related to the exercise, communicate progress and check direction with team members, academic mentor and the practicum organisation;
  • Demonstrate key attributes sought by employers including cross-cultural communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management, commercial acumen, initiative, independent learning and team skills.
Assessment:

Team presentation of one hour duration to host company, including brief report of 1,000 words (40%) to be completed at the end of two weeks in-company placement, full team report on project (with accompanying file of resources) of 5,000 words in length (40%) to be submitted 3 weeks after return from in-company placement, peer review assessment (10%) and reflective individual essay of 1,000 words (10%), both to be submitted in the final week of the subject (Week 6).

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 have improved the following generic skills:

  • Verbal and written communication skills through discussion and assigned tasks;
  • Project management, including accurate scoping of project, development of approaches, timelines, execution and timely completion;
  • Team work demonstrated by good communication within the group, understanding of skills brought by individual members, organising for achievement and presenting group report;
  • Communication skills in an international business context;
  • Research, problem solving and critical thinking;
  • Documentation preparation and presentation skills through assigned tasks and the practicum exercise;
  • Interpersonal skills through the practicum exercise and assigned tasks.
Notes: A quota applies to this subject. Selection is based on grade average for all subjects taken in the Graduate School of Business and Economics available at the selection date. Students will apply for a place in the subject through the Graduate School of Business and Economics. Travel and accommodation costs will be borne by the student. Students must be eligible to obtain visitor visas in the country where the business practicum is conducted.

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