INTERNATIONAL

BUSINESS

BUS302

Term 2 2023
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

About BUS302 International Business

Contacts
Below is a list of contacts for this unit. Please liaise directly with your unit instructor regarding
appropriate consultation times. It is usually best to make contact with the staff via email.

Dr. Ngoc Pham

Email: ngoc.pham@isb.edu.vn
Unit Instructors
Mr. Adam Briffett

Email: adam.briffett@isb.edu.vn

Academic Admin Ms. Nhi Nguyen

Email: nhi.nguyenthithanh@isb.edu.vn

Student Advisor Ms. Tuyen Nguyen

Email: tuyen.nguyen @isb.edu.vn

Unit overview
This unit introduces students to the world of international business and management by studying
differences across countries in political, economic, legal, cultural factors, international trade, foreign
direct investment and international finance. Students also learn about international business strategy
and operation management of multinationals in the global economy.

Page | 1
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes for the unit are outlined below. Upon completion of this unit, students will be
able to:

1 Understand history and developments in international business and globalisation

Demonstrate basic knowledge about difference across markets, international trade
2
and international business.

Understand the critical interdependence of functional business activities in creating

3
a successful international business

Appraise with increased competence the opportunities and threats arising from the
4
international business environment

Develop an understanding of how to formulate an international business strategy and

5
its implementation through activities

6 Identify and explore new and emerging issues in international business

Assessment information
Assessment summary
Assessment Value Learning
No Assessment item and due date
type (100%) outcomes
Weekly quiz
1 Individual 15% LOs 1,2
Due: an in-class quiz in each session (3-10)
Wrap-up quiz
2 Individual 15% LOs 1,2
Due: Session 7 (topics in sessions 1-6)
Weekly case study presentations
3 Group 10% LOs 3-6
Due: Session 3-10
Group report and presentations
▪ Pre-recorded video. Due: Session 10
4 Group 30% LOs 3-6
▪ Live presentation. Due: Session 11 & 12
▪ Group written report. Due: Session 12

5 Individual Final exam 30% LOs 1-6

Page | 2
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees which may
scale, modify, or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be required by University
policies.
Note: To successfully complete this unit, students must:
▪ Achieve a minimum of 50 marks; AND
▪ Complete all assessment items; AND
▪ Attend 80 percent of class time. See attendance requirements in the section of class policies and
rules below.

Assessment Details
Assessment 1: Weekly quiz (15%)
To check the level of knowledge and understanding of students about the theoretical content of the
subject. 10 questions will cover all assigned reading chapter(s) for each session.

● Format: True/False, Multiple Choice.

● Length: 10 minutes.
● Due: in each session, 3 through 10.

Assessment 2: Wrap-up quiz (15%)

To check the level of knowledge and understanding of students about the international business
environment of multinationals, which is concentrated on those topics from session 1 to session 6.
This wrap-up quiz will be replaced for a midterm test.

● Format: True/False, Multiple Choice.

● Length: 30 minutes.
● Due: in session 7

Assessment 3: Weekly case study presentations (10%)

Students will be assigned a session in advance for their weekly group presentation. This is an
opportunity for students to apply the theoretical background to resolve the closing case study at the end
of that chapter. Students are encouraged to explore and introduce real data, facts and informations
which are relavant to that case study.
● Format: Presentation + Class discussion (Please follow Instructor’s guidelines)
● Length: 15 minutes (excluding class discussion)
● Due: in class, sessions 3 – 10.

Page | 3
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Assessment 4: Group report and presentations (30%)

Each group with a maximum of six students will select a multinational company and investigate its
international business strategies and operations.
There could be an industry talk in between session 4 and session 10 on a Saturday depending on guest
speakers’ available schedule. If it is organized, all groups are required to attend the talk and make a
reflective report about the company’s international business. This activity is counted in group’s
performance.
MNCs cannot be changed after the 4th week of the semester.
4.1 Pre-recorded video
Groups are required to make a video recording for introducing your team and your MNC with
the photos/images of MNC’s real business. All team members must speak or play in the video.
The video is an opportunity for each group to show your engagement to the real world of MNC’s
business. You may collect them from the internet, or interviews/surveys to their staff or
consumers. A visit to their office or their shops is highly appreciated.
● Format: Video recording
● Length: 3-5 minutes
● Submission
▪ The video must be uploaded onto a shared Google folder created by the lecturer, then
ONLY the link to that file will be submitted on E-learning with a WSU cover page.
▪ Video name: “[Group]_Pre-recorded video_ [Name of MNC]”.
▪ Due: At the end of Session 10’s week.

4.2 Live presentation

Revise relevant theoretical framework and the applications for the MNCs your group has
chosen at the beginning of the course. Main contents for the presentation are introduction to
the MNC, its country origin’s political, economic, legal and cultural factors, its international
business strategy and practices, and pros and cons for applying the strategy in business
operations. Some policy implications should be addressed.
● Format: In-class presentation
● Length: 20 minutes + 10 minutes for Q&A
● Due: Slide submission due at the end of Session 10’s week; Presentations in Sessions
11 or 12.
4.3 Group written report
The report is an in-depth analysis of the MNC, its international business environment across
markets, its international business strategy and operations.
● Structure of the report:
▪ Executive summary
▪ Brief company background and business globally

Page | 4
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

▪ country origin’s political, economic, legal and cultural factors

▪ International business strategy and operations
▪ Pros and cons for implementing business across markets in the global economy
▪ Recommendations or policy implications
▪ Reference list - at least 5 academic sources to support your writing.
● Format: Report (*.pdf)
● Length: 1,500 – 2,000 words (excluding cover page, appendix and references).
● Submission: on E-learning, with a WSU cover page for each submitted file.
▪ The Presentation slides file name: [Group]_Presentation slides_ [Name of MNC]
▪ The Group written report file name: [Group]_MNC report_ [Name of MNC]
▪ Due: The end of Session 12’s week
● Marking criteria:

Critical analysis
Thorough understanding & application of the theory, through analysis of current
40% company strategy (1) Identify any issues related to strategy (2) and propose
relevant recommendations for future strategy (3).
Arguments are well justified
Clarity of writing and structure organization
Simple, clear and concise sentences that communicate the main points well.
25% Language is not unnecessarily complicated; writing style is academic.
Coherent and well-organized structure
Tables/Figures are well designed

Relevance of the study

Relevant data, facts and information of MNC, country origin and its international
20%
business
Well selected resources for a comprehensive analysis

Quality of sources
At least 10 reliable sources and correct referencing style throughout the report.
15%
A variety of at least 5 academic sources used.
APA citing style

Assessment 5: Final exam (30%)

The final test aims to evaluate not only level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and
applied contents but also how students link them to the real business world, focusing on international
business strategies. Questions will cover all materials in the lectures, textbook and readings. Final
Exam will be a CLOSED-BOOK exam.
● Format: Questions and Answers, no multiple choices.

Page | 5
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

● Exam date: TBC on the MyISB website

● Length: 90-120 minutes – (TBC)

Page | 6
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Teaching activities

SESSION/ PROGRAM SCHEDULE READINGS &ACTIVITIES

WEEK
Course and Syllabus overview
1 Group formation Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 1
Firms and globalization
National difference in political economy
2 Political economy and economic Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapters 2-3
development

3 Difference in culture Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapters 4

4 Ethics/CSR in international business Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapters 5

International trade theory

Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapters 6
5 Discussion on
Reference further Chapter 7
The political economy of international trade

Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 8

Foreign direct investment
6
Discussion on regional economic integration Reference further Chapter 9
Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 10
The foreign exchange market
7 Discussion on international monetary system Reference further Chapter 11-12
and capital market WRAP-UP QUIZZ
Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 13
The strategy of international business
8
Discussion on organization of an MNC. Reference further Chapter 14

Entry strategy and international business Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 15
9 operations

Hill & Hult (2019) – Chapter 19

Global human resource management
Reference further the related chapters.
10
Discussion on global production, supply Pre-recorded video due.
chain, marketing, finance. Presentation slides due

11 Group presentations - clips

Page | 7
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Submit reports, due at the end of

12 Group presentations - clips
Session 12’s week

FINAL EXAM (t.b.a)

Page | 8
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Learning resources
List of readings
Prescribed Hill, C. W. L. and Hult, G. T. M. (2019). International Business: Competing in
textbook the Global Marketplace (12th ed.). NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Griffin, R.W. and Pustay, M.W. (2013). International Business (7th ed.). USA:
Recommended Prentice Hall.
readings Recommended articles will be provided to students by the lecturer during the
trimester. Please refer to the course schedule of activities for more information.

Online resources
http://search.proquest.com/login
E-library Username: UEHCMC2010
Password: thuvien0810
E-Learning https://elearning.westernsydney.edu.vn/

General submission requirements

Referencing requirements
Student assignments are to contain original content created by the students. Assignments will be
rejected if they include plagiarized content or contain excessive amounts of quoted/cited material and
minimal original content. Students will receive a grade of ZERO (0%) for any assignments
rejected for this reason.
Written assignments will be randomly checked by the lecturer with Turnitin.com, an online
plagiarism-checking tool. Furthermore, your reference to support your statements must be from a
reliable source, such as textbooks, additional reading materials, and reference books. However, many
websites are not reliable sources. Examples are Wikipedia.org, about.com, and ask.com. If you are
not sure if a reference is acceptable or not, please contact the lecturer.
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th ed., will serve as the
primary reference materials for all students. Therefore, all papers must be submitted in APA format.
The mechanics of student papers and work will be evaluated, as well as the content. It is imperative
that guidelines be reviewed before an assignment is begun. It is also important that the required
submission format be followed in compiling the final paper or assignment.

Page | 9
 BUS 302 – International Business
T2/2023

Class Policies and Rules

Late assignment and make-up policy
All quizzes, assignments, and final exam must be taken on the assigned dates. If there are extenuating
or unforeseen circumstances, the school office must be contacted prior to the quiz or exam dates to
authorize a make -up if required. No make-up quiz or exam will be accepted unless a prior approval
granted by the school based on a Special Consideration Application for a supplementary
examination.
Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees which
may scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks a nd grades for the unit, as may be required by
University policies.
Note: To successfully complete this unit, students must:

▪ Achieve a minimum of 50 marks;

▪ Attend 80 per cent of class time.

Page | 10