Businesses are at the dawn of a fourth industrial revolution, propelled by frontier technologies and robotisation advances that make the product better, cheaper and faster than ever before. This new industrial revolution offers enormous opportunities for businesses to grow and gain sustainable development with potential benefits on a scale that is difficult to imagine. New technologies promise the possibilities of industrial upgrading and leapfrogging. Reconfiguration of world businesses environment, cheaper transportation and communication, coupled with more efficient logistics now help businesses to establish links to new global value chains. Strategic intuitiveness and the ability to quickly manage change is key to gain competitive positioning in the global context. As the capstone unit, you will integrate prior functional and interpersonal knowledge and skills acquired in previous units of the Master of Business Administration and examine international business practices and strategic management processes at an advanced level in different kinds of organisations. You will use your advanced level of knowledge and skills to analyse how organisations develop future business strategies which are influenced by domestic and international pressures. By considering the challenges facing contemporary businesses, you will examine how international business theories, strategic management concepts, frameworks and tools are used by business executives to develop a business plan and implement effective corporate transformation.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback

Students enjoyed this unit and always found the workshops and tutorials of great assistance. The case studies are very helpful in applying the theory towards a scenario as a practical activity.

Continue with the lecture and workshop model. Most students are part-time and work full-time, so an evening workshop from 6-8 and a recorded lecture could be considered.

Feedback from Student feedback

Students enjoyed the unit contents and the style of delivery.

New cases and recent articles should be used to encourage students to read and learn. As corporate scenarios change, contemporary issue-related videos, discussion papers, or reports by McKinsey, Australia Institute, World Economic Forum, etc., would be very useful. The use of AI in an ethical way should be encouraged.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator experience and observation

Case study discussion at the workshops is very interactive and educational. Students share their practical country-specific and industry-specific experiences. Break-out rooms offer opportunities to discuss and share ideas. Case presentations can be arranged during workshops.

Group activities on contemporary international business and trade issues to facilitate robust discussion. Formation of groups during the workshops to debate on international business topics. The students could be encouraged to select topics for discussion. .This will allow students to conceptualise and apply the theories to enhance their critical thinking and analytical capability.