Business, Governance and Ethics in Asia

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

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

This inter-disciplinary subject focuses on the Asian business environment, with a particular emphasis on Southeast Asia. It uses economic, cultural, political and legal lenses to view and discuss key aspects of doing business in that region, touching on issues such as globalisation, corporate governance, the role of the state in business, the concept of “Asian values”, ethics and corruption. Seminars will rely on case studies of Asian companies and business events. Throughout the course, participants are expected to evaluate critically how companies in that region are managing their relationships with governments, the private sector and other key stakeholders.

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

• Describe how key institutions, rules and players interact in the Southeast Asian business environment;
• Outline how Asian family-controlled companies and government-linked and state-owned corporations operate and are governed;
• Analyse the way culture affects business in Asia;
• Identify key governance issues faced by institutions and governments in the region;
• Demonstrate greater awareness of ethical decision-making in business;
• Provide practical strategies for avoiding corruption in business.

• Contribution to class learning (10%)
• Throughout subject
• 2 Case preparations and discussions (10%)
• 700 words each
• Week 3 & 6
• Syndicate Project
• Report (equivalent of individual 2,000 word assessment) (15%)
• Presentation (equivalent of individual 1,500 word assessment) (15%)
• Week 8-9
• Final Examination (50%)
• Hurdle requirement
• 2 hours
• End of subject

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.