CQUniversity Unit Profile
MGMT20144 Management and Business Context
Management and Business Context
All details in this unit profile for MGMT20144 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit offers a series of lectures and tutorials that will provide foundation skills and knowledge in contemporary business issues, and organisational and business practices. You will have the opportunity to develop business skills, gain knowledge of various business contexts, and examine the functions of a diverse range of organisations. You will assess the impact of environmental forces on organisations, examine risks confronting the organisation and discuss the practices adopted to overcome these, including innovation, e-commerce, knowledge management, and cross-cultural management. The unit will enable you to engage in discussions about the governance options for different types of organisations and discuss the contemporary processes of regionalisation, emerging new world markets, global governance and globalisation. This foundation unit will develop your business skills for potential future business consulting, and your management skills for organisational management roles.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Group Work
Weighting: 30%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

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

Feedback

Students have found the foundational management content useful for their future careers.

Recommendation

Continue to offer foundational management knowledge to students while also updating content to maintain currency.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Friendly and helpful Lecturers

Recommendation

Continue to offer support to students in a friendly manner to assist in their learning.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Critically analyse the impact of a range of internal and external contextual factors on the performance and decision making of organisations
  2. Synthesise and utilise key theories, concepts and terms relevant to internal and external contextual factors to examine organisational environments
  3. Communicate an understanding of contemporary internal and external contextual factors affecting organisations
  4. Evaluate complex problems relevant to internal and external contextual factors in organisational environments
  5. Recommend creative solutions to contemporary challenges facing businesses to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.

This is not applicable. 

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Group Work - 30%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Group Work - 30%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
David Hamilton Unit Coordinator
david.hamilton@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 07 Nov 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 1: Business and Governance Structures


Chapter

Chapple, E., Copp, R., Baumfield, R., Cunningham, R., Harpur, P., Baumfield, Richard, & Cunningham, Rosemary. (2016). Company Law (1st ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. Module 1: Business Organisations 

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Unit Introduction

Details of Moodle and Unit resources

Expectations of student engagement with the unit


Week 2 Begin Date: 14 Nov 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 2: Impact of Environmental Forces on Organisations

Chapter

Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2012). Strategic management cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning. Chapter 2.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Details of Assessment Item 1

Week 3 Begin Date: 21 Nov 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 3: Risks Confronting the Firm

Chapter

Henderson, D. (2017). The Manager's Guide to Risk Assessment. Brooksfield: Rothstein Associates, Incorporated. Chapter 1.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 28 Nov 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 4: Organisation and Business Practices

Chapter

Boxall, P., & Purcell, J. (2016). Strategy and human resource management (4th ed., Management, work, and organisations). Chapter 3.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 05 Dec 2022

Module/Topic

No classes will be held during this week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 12 Dec 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 5: Business Functions of a Diverse Range of Firms

Chapter

Preston, D., Watson, G., & Fryer, M. (2013). An Introduction to Business Studies. The Open University. Chapter 6- Introduction to Business Functions.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Dec 2022

Module/Topic

Topic 6: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Chapter

Frederick, H. H., Kuratko, D. F., & O'Connor, A. (2015). Entrepreneurship: Theory/Process/Practice with Student Resource Access for 12 Months. Cengage AU. Chapter 1.

Tidd, J., & Bessant, J. (2014). Strategic innovation management. John Wiley & Sons. Chapter 1.

For additional resources refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Details of Assessment Item 2



ASSESSMENT - BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS Due: Week 6 Monday (19 Dec 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 26 Dec 2022

Module/Topic

No classes will be held during this week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 02 Jan 2023

Module/Topic

Topic 7: Knowledge Management, Technology and eCommerce

Chapter

Laudon, K., & Traver, Carol Guercio. (2017). E-commerce 2017 (13th edition, Global ed.). Essex: Pearson Education Ltd. Chapter 1: Introduction to Ecommerce.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 09 Jan 2023

Module/Topic

Topic 8: Regionalisation and Globalisation

Chapter

Robbins, S., Bergman, R., Stagg, I., & Coulter, M. (2018). Management (8th Ed), Pearson Australia. Chapter 4: Global Management.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 16 Jan 2023

Module/Topic

Topic 9: Cross-cultural issues, Diversity and International Management

Chapter

Livermore, D. (2015). Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success.  Chapter 1: Culture matters: Why you need Cultural Intelligence.

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 23 Jan 2023

Module/Topic

Topic 10: Contemporary issues: Change, Resilience, and Sustainability

Chapter

Reuvid, J. (2014). Managing business risk a practical guide to protecting your business (10th ed.). London ; Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page. Section 1.1: Beyond resilience.

Whitfield, R. (2013). A Primer on Sustainability: In the Business Environment. Chapter 3

For additional recommended texts, journal readings, podcasts, current events, and video information refer to the unit Moodle site.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Details of Assessment item 3 (online exam)

Week 11 Begin Date: 30 Jan 2023

Module/Topic

There is no topic covered in class this week. The group led presentations and discussions will be completed in class.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The group led presentations and discussions undertaken during the class.


ASSESSMENT - GROUP PRESENTATION AND ESSAY Due: Week 11 Monday (30 Jan 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 06 Feb 2023

Module/Topic

There is no topic covered in class this week. The group led presentations and discussions will be completed in class.


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The group led presentations and discussions undertaken during the class.

Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Feb 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

ONLINE EXAM Due: Exam Week Wednesday (15 Feb 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
ASSESSMENT - BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS

Task Description

This assessment item is a business case analysis essay of 1200-words (+/- 10%)


1. You must first select ONE organisation of your choice from the companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

Search the ASX company directory on the ASX website and select one company for your assignment: https://www2.asx.com.au/markets/trade-our-cash-market/directory

2. Conduct research on your chosen organisation using the internet and library databases for your assignment. Write a business case analysis essay on your selected organisation using ONE or TWO of the below-mentioned contextual factors (topics from weeks 1-5). Ensure that you focus on critically analysing the impact of a range of internal and/or external contextual factors on the performance and decision making of your chosen organisation.

  • What is the governance structure of your chosen organisation and why is it an effective structure for the activities it carries out?
  • Which external environmental factors are influencing your chosen organisation’s performance and decision-making?
  • What are the main risks your organisation faces and how could each influence its performance and decision-making?
  • What business practices does your chosen organisation adopt and which are most critical to its performance and decision-making, explain why?
  • What functional departments does your organisation have and how does each contribute to its specific activities?

3. Your business case analysis must include at least eight (8) peer-reviewed academic references published post-2012

Note: further support on writing, referencing, recommended journals, etc. is given on the Moodle site for this assignment.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (19 Dec 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

A late penalty @ 5% per day or part of a day will be applied


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (9 Jan 2023)

Grades will be released online on Moodle.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Criteria 1. Introduction * 3 marks

Clearly outlines the purpose, scope, and structure of the essay.

Criteria 2. Body—Theoretical knowledge * 8 marks

Demonstrated ability to define key terms and apply the theories and concepts associated with the topic selected.

Criteria 3. Body—Research efforts and analysis * 12 marks

Level of research efforts demonstrated on the chosen organisation and ability to critically analyse the impact of a range of contextual factors on the performance and decision making of the chosen organisation through the application of one/two of the five proposed topics.

Criteria 4. Conclusion *3 marks

All aspects are drawn together in a brief and concise summary. Consistent with findings, no new material introduced however highlights implications or comments on the future of the company.

Criteria 5. Presentation and Quality *2 marks

High quality of expression, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and proofreading.

Criteria 6. Referencing * 2 marks

Inclusion of an accurate reference list on a separate page listing only the sources that actually have been used. The reference list is arranged in alphabetical order according to the authors’ last names. At least 8 relevant peer-reviewed academic references post-2012 have been used, together with numerous non-academic references (industry/news/media/websites/databases) used to research and gather information on the company.

Please read the detailed assessment guideline and marking rubric available on the Unit's Moodle page before commencing work on the assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
All submissions must be submitted through the Moodle site. No email submissions will be accepted.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically analyse the impact of a range of internal and external contextual factors on the performance and decision making of organisations
  • Synthesise and utilise key theories, concepts and terms relevant to internal and external contextual factors to examine organisational environments
  • Communicate an understanding of contemporary internal and external contextual factors affecting organisations


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Group Work

Assessment Title
ASSESSMENT - GROUP PRESENTATION AND ESSAY

Task Description

This is a group assignment that involves a 15-minute student-led live presentation and a 2000-words (+/-10%) essay on the same topic. This assessment item accounts for 30% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students as a group. This assessment consists of two parts:

1) An essay addressing your chosen topic (15%)

2) An in-class live group presentation on the essay (15%) - over zoom for distance/offshore students and in-person for on-campus students

You must be enrolled in a lecture class and a workshop class by the census date. You will be able to enrol in Assessment Item 2 groups yourself on the unit's Moodle site or will be assigned a group by default. The members of your group must all be within your workshop group. Groups cannot be formed with students who are NOT in your workshop group as you are required to work together and present in class.

There will be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 group members in each group. There will be no changes to these Assessment Item 2 groups after the Census date, so please make sure that you have sorted out which lecture/workshop class you want to attend by the Census Date.

Once the groups are finalised, your group is required to choose only one of the following four topics from weeks 6-9 (in consultation with your lecturer/tutor) as the focus of your group-led presentation and essay. You must include at least one real-life corporate example in your research efforts:

  • Week 6: What creative solutions do you recommend to improve creativity and innovation in your chosen organisation? You should consider the differences between and relative benefits of each of sustaining and disruptive innovation for your organisation, with examples.
  • Week 7: What challenges do contemporary internet-based organisations face in the management of big data, the internet of things and emerging new technologies? What creative solutions do you recommend to your chosen organisation on this issue?
  • Week 8: What advantages and disadvantages does globalisation bring to contemporary organisations? What creative solutions do you recommend to your chosen organisation to manage the globalisation-induced challenges?
  • Week 9: Should contemporary organisations consider the cultural dimensions of a country before making staffing decisions, whether operating internationally or locally, with a diverse workforce? Why and how? What creative solutions do you recommend to your chosen organisation on this issue?

3. Your business case analysis must include at least eight (8) peer-reviewed academic references published post-2012

Note: further support on forming groups, presentation, writing, referencing, etc. is given on the Unit Moodle site for this assignment.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (30 Jan 2023) 11:45 pm AEST

Upload the group presentation slides (PPT) and the group Essay (word document) on Moodle before 9 AM (AEST)


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (13 Feb 2023)

Grades will be released online on the unit Moodle page


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Criteria 1 - Theoretical knowledge * 6 marks

Demonstrated ability to define key terms and utilise the theories and concepts relevant to their topic.

Criteria 2 - Complex problem evaluation * 6 marks

Demonstrated critical understanding of the problems associated with the selected contextual factor throughout the presentation and essay.

Criteria 3 - Creative solution * 6 marks

Recommendation of solutions regarding how organisations can deal with contemporary challenges posed by the relevant contextual factor. Every group member is expected to demonstrate contributions towards the assessment task and to propose creative solutions.

Criteria 4 - Research efforts * 5 marks

Demonstrated strong key points in response to the chosen topic grounded in a wide breadth and quality of research by using a minimum of 8 relevant academic sources (post-2012 articles), together with numerous non-academic references (industry/news/media/websites/databases) used to research and gather information for the essay.

Criteria 5 - Corporate example(s) * 3 marks

Demonstrated the strength and relevance of the argument by incorporating at least one appropriate real-life organisation example.

Criteria 6 - Presentation * 2 marks

Develop a concise and structured presentation to the required professional standard. Q&A session well handled.

Criteria 7 - Referencing * 2 marks

Correctly using the APA referencing system to cite academic sources both in-text and in the final reference list.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
All submissions must be submitted through the Moodle site. Only one group member is supposed to submit the assessment on behalf of the whole group. No email submissions will be accepted.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Communicate an understanding of contemporary internal and external contextual factors affecting organisations
  • Evaluate complex problems relevant to internal and external contextual factors in organisational environments
  • Recommend creative solutions to contemporary challenges facing businesses to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
ONLINE EXAM

Task Description

Task Description:

1. Please read the Lecture Slides from Week 1 to Week 10.

2. Refer to your workshop notes and resources.

3. Exam questions draw from learning content covered in the Unit from Week 1 to Week 10.

4. The exam paper has two parts: Part A and Part B. You must complete both parts. You need to score 50% (i.e. 20 Marks) to pass the exam.

5. You will be required to write 2 reflective essays (approx. 1000-words each) in response to two readings given. Part A = 20 marks (reflective essay 1) and Part B = 20 Marks (reflective essay 2).

6. References are not required in the exam.

7. You need to upload the essays as a single Word document on Moodle. Uploading a document on Moodle works in the same way as assessment 1.


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Wednesday (15 Feb 2023) 9:00 am AEST

The exam paper will be available on Monday 9 AM (AEST) during the Review/Exam week


Return Date to Students

The marks for the online exam will be released after the certification of grades.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

1. Describe the exam article you are going to be reflecting on. Do this in the form of a brief narrative or story. Write in the first person. (20%)

2. Analyse the article. What was it about the article that made you think? Was there something about it that challenged your ideas about what you’ve learned in this Unit? or did it reinforce those ideas? How did your experience fit with the literature and unit learning material that you have read in this Unit? (30%)

3. Evaluate. What will you draw from it? Will it lead you to change the way you do something? Will it lead you to change the way you think about something? (30%)

4. Quality of the essay- writing, structure (having introduction and conclusion), language and flow (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Attempt the Assessment 3-Online Exam on Moodle using the Exam link.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Synthesise and utilise key theories, concepts and terms relevant to internal and external contextual factors to examine organisational environments
  • Communicate an understanding of contemporary internal and external contextual factors affecting organisations


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?