Cooperation and Conflict in World Trade

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours per semester.

Entry to the Master of International Business and the Master of Management suite of programs (MC-MGTS, MC-MGMT, MC-MGTACTS, MC-MGMTACT, MC-MGTFINS, MC-MGMTFIN, MC-MGTHRES, MC-MGMTHRE, MC-MGTMKS, MC-MGMTMKT).

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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 focuses on the role of government and international governmental or quasi-governmental organisations in world trade and investment with special reference to Asia. The rules and operations of WTO and the OECD; regional trade organisations such as ASEAN, North American Free Trade Area, European Union, APEC and other economic zones. Topics include the impact of government on multinational firms, joint venture and strategic alliances. The material is introduced at a theoretical and analytical level, supported with practical examples and case study material.

The aim of this subject is to build a critical appreciation of the main developments of the laws and regulations of national governments and multilateral organisations that effect the conduct of international businesses. These laws and regulations will also be applied to an analysis of business decisions regarding international trade and investment.

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

• Interpret trends in the world economy towards globalisation, in terms of the linking of national markets for goods, services and factors;
• Explain the laws and regulations of national governments in relation to policies concerning international trade in goods and services and foreign direct investment;
• Explain the laws and regulations of multilateral organisations, such as the WTO, IMF and OECD, in regard to the regulation of cross-border flows of goods, services and foreign direct investment;
• Critical evaluate current debates in multilateral organisations concerning new areas of regulation, such as corporate taxation, corporate governance and the regulation of cross-border competition and environmental effects;
• Evaluate new developments in national government and multilateral organisation laws and regulations and identify how these developments will effect the operations of international businesses.

• Three 1000 words assignments (each worth 10%) due during the teaching period (30%)
• One 1000 word assignment due one week after the teaching period (10%)
• One 500 word research proposal due one week after the teaching period (10%)
• One 2000 word research essay due four weeks after the teaching period (50%)

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

• Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
• Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
• Strategic thinking
• Critical thinking
• Accessing economic and other information
• Summary and interpretation of information
• Collaborative learning and team work
• Written communication
• Oral communication

This subject is available to Master of International Business students only.