Master of International Business

Please note this course is not accepting new students. This handbook entry only applies to students admitted prior to 2016.

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 body of knowledge, including recent developments guiding 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 and explain how foreign markets, institutions and cultures differ from one another;
• Identify and explain how policies related to trade, investment, intellectual property, and labour and environmental standards imposed by nation states and supra-national bodies impact on international business;
• Understand and moderate the impact of cultural differences in the operation of international business; and
• Understand and communicate 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;
• Use evidence based research techniques to support and communicate decisions;
• emonstrate a capacity to successfully work independently with personal accountability; and
• Execute a project requiring research of real-world application.

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;
• Critically analyse international organisation’s problems and apply relevant models and theories to generate effective and creative solutions; and
• Demonstrate creativity and initiative in the application of knowledge to problem solving and innovation.

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business will need to successfully complete 12 x 12.5 point semester-long subjects comprising three foundation subjects, four core subjects, two capstone subjects and three 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 must take the following subjects in their first semester of study:

And one of:

Core Subjects

Students must take the following subject:

Students must take three of the following four subjects:

Capstone Subjects

Students must take the following two capstone subjects:

* IBUS90001 Global Corporate Strategy can only be taken in final semester of study

Elective Subjects

Students must choose three elective subjects from the graduate offerings within the Faculty of Business and Economics. This will be subject to the student receiving approval from the Program Director as well as the relevant subject coordinator.

Students enrolled in the Master of International Business are eligible to undertake a select range of elective subjects from the Master of International Relations (up to a maximum of 37.5 points) offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Please contact MBS for the list of approved Master of International Relations electives.

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in a business/commerce or related discipline or equivalent;

• The applicant’s submitted statement of intent in seeking entry; and

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports and employer references, as appropriate, to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

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.

On successful completion of this program, students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Critical evaluation of evidence in support of an argument or proposition;
• Problem solving in international business/international management through the application of appropriate management theories, principles and data;
• Communication of business and management ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Ability to synthesize ideas, theories and data in developing solutions to business and managerial problems;
• Ethical practice through a knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Retrieval of relevant information from a variety of sources;
• Engagement in collaborative activities such as group based work; and
• Interpretation and communication of research results and recommendations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Graduates of the Master of International Business can progress to an advanced Master’s program with a research component if they wish to seek admission to a PhD.

Duration

A full-time student should complete the course in three consecutive semesters. A part-time student should complete the course in six consecutive semesters.

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 a total of four Master of International Business subjects approved by the program director (of which 3 must be designated foundation subjects).

Graduate Diploma 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 Diploma in International Business. Students must have successfully completed a total of eight subjects from the Master of International Business approved by the program director (of which 3 must be designated foundation subjects and 3 must be designated core subjects).