Master of International Business

This subject introduces students to the different types of information that business analysts and decision makers gather, and how that information is processed to make effective business decisions. A wide range of strategic and operational business problems and decisions will be considered, from fields such as financial management, marketing, human resource management, supply chain management and international business. The subject explores how organisations gather and generate multiple forms of information, and how this information is analysed and converted into useful knowledge via individual judgement and organisational learning processes. In applying empirical and analytical approaches to practical situations, students will develop insights into both the nature of the business problems as well as methods that are used for identifying and evaluating alternative solutions. The subject content will include conceptual foundations, practical tools, and case studies to discuss the costs, benefits and risks of the various analytical methods that will be introduced.

This subject focuses on the nature of accounting for organisations from the perspective of a preparer and user of financial reports. The subject examines the methods of recording and reporting transactions and events and how to both prepare and analyse financial reports.

This includes obtaining an understanding of the judgements and decisions involved in the preparation of financial reports. The subject examines how these different judgements and accounting policy choices can impact the analysis of profitability, liquidity, financial stability and efficiency outcomes.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamentals of microeconomics, strategy and key issues in macroeconomics, and applies this knowledge to business and management issues. Topics to be covered include: the working of competitive markets; the operation of business organisations such as cost management and pricing decisions; strategic behaviour and market outcomes in different market environments; the effect of public policy on business organisations; and the main macroeconomic influences on the business environment.

This subject is designed to equip students with the tools necessary to enable them to make the core decisions faced by managers and investors. The first part of the subject deals with establishing the environment in which organizations operate, namely the objectives of the suppliers of financial and human capital. The subject then considers the basic tools commonly employed by financial managers and investors including discounted cash flow techniques and financial mathematics. Measures and definitions of alternative forms of risk are considered and the relation between risk and expected reward in capital markets is established. Finally, the subject considers the important decisions faced by firms (such as investment, financing and dividend policy) and by investors (the composition of their optimal portfolio of stocks).

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of finance, financial securities and financial markets. Topics include: key financial concepts such as the time-value-of-money, risk, return, present value, diversification, arbitrage, leverage and voting control; key financial securities such as stocks, bonds, mortgages and other loans; key financial markets such as the stock, interest rate and foreign exchange markets; and key participants in financial markets such as investors, funds, companies, banks, intermediaries, governments and regulators.

This subject is designed for students who seek an understanding of financial concepts and markets, but who do not intend to pursue any further studies in finance.

This subject focuses on the link between HRM and business strategies and operations. The subject examines fundamental tools in strategic human resource management including the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of HR activities. A focus will be on the fit between HR and business strategy, and the congruence among HR activities. The subject will critically analyse strategic HRM theories and practices and their applications to organisational realities. The changing nature of the HRM function and its impact on HR professionals will also be considered.

Businesses are collections of individuals who are organised and cooperate to solve problems. Thus, all business activity has its roots in psychological processes such as individual and group cognition and emotion, personality, and social influence. In this subject we explore the psychological foundations of management practice by focusing on how managerial problems (e.g., high levels of absenteeism; poor collaboration among team members; etc.) can be understood and addressed using different psychological principals.

This marketing subject exposes students to an integrated perspective of the firm, how it interfaces with its environment, and how it creates and sustains value. Value creation occurs through interactions of a firm with its stakeholders (including its customers) and is central to marketing. The subject builds a conceptual framework to examine the choices (marketing) managers face in determining how best to create value, and how these choices may be shaped by key stakeholders including government, society, trading partners, customers, employees and competitors. A key focus of this subject is on value creation as a cross disciplinary and cross firm activity. As such, the focus is on value creation from multiple disciplinary perspectives including marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship, HRM, supply chain management and organisational design.

This subject examines China’s economic and social development experience from a generally economic standpoint. Contents include: patterns of traditional Chinese society and economy; geography and resource constraints, development since 1949, the transition to a market economy and contemporary problems and options.

This subject provides a broad-based overview of contemporary China, exploring key features of the country's increasingly complex and dynamic society. Topics covered include the economy, environmental challenges, political processes, cultural change, civil society, and China’s engagement with the global community.

This subject looks at the impact of a rising China in the globalised world. It examines contemporary China's relations with various powers, regions and global institutions, particularly in the context of its phenomenal rise in the last four decades. The subject also explores key issues related to China's rise: state-society relations, economic development, participation in regional and global institutions, disputes and conflict resolution etc.

This subject examines the politics and governance of international trade. It explores the domestic and international dimensions of trade policy-making and the growing complexity of the "trade agenda" in national and international politics. It examines theories of trade and protection and theories of trade policy-making. It examines the evolution of the multilateral trade system since World War Two and the contemporary and future challenges that confront the system. The subject examines some of the perennial problems in the governance of the global trade system, as well as new issues and concerns, such as trade and the environment, trade and development, and agenda-setting and decision-making in the WTO. Finally, the subject explores the emergence of regional trade blocs and "free trade agreements" and their consequences for the multilateral trade system.

Over the past two decades, the role of the Chinese state in the country"s economic development has changed considerably. The state planning agencies no longer decide what and how much should the country"s enterprises produce. Many of the old and inefficient state-owned enterprises have been transformed into market-driven businesses. Some of these companies (still state-controlled) have become global players in sectors such as oil and gas. The so-called non-state companies also occupy an important place in the country"s economy. Ideology is no longer an important factor in decision-making and capitalists are welcome to join the communist party. This course will examine the relationship between the growing power of business and the political process in China. We"ll look at how the emergent class of professional managers and entrepreneurs attempts to convert its economic status into political advantage. A number of theoretical frameworks will be used to explore this relationship, including neo-traditionalism/clientelism, democratisation (civil society) and state corporatism. Students will also be encouraged to compare China"s experience with that of other transitional societies.

Governing Money and Finance is an elective subject available to students enrolled in the Master of International Relations and other masters degree students in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The subject provides an advanced introduction to the comparative and global politics of monetary and financial governance. It will introduce students to international monetary relations over the last century, including central issues of the causes and consequences of cycles of crisis and stabilization; international monetary and financial governance; the regulation of private markets and nonstate actors; and how these relate to power, international cooperation and conflict. Major issues include the use of national and international reserve assets, the domestic and international politics of exchange rate adjustment, the operations and regulation of banks and other institutions in international money and capital markets, market and institutional constraints upon national policy choices, and the politics of monetary and financial crises. The role of international institutions including the IMF, the Basel Committee, the Financial Stability Board, the G7, G20 and regional mechanisms in Europe and Asia will be covered. The subject will employ concepts and theories in political economy and international relations to address these empirical issues. As a political economy subject, the emphasis is upon the evolving political and institutional context in which monetary and financial markets operate and not upon the technical aspects of their operation or upon economic theory. However, some basic concepts and theories in economics will be used to explore the political aspects of monetary and financial governance. Prior knowledge of finance and economics is not required.

Financial Statement Analysis seeks to introduce students to the analysis and use of financial information for decision-making purposes. The subject considers how the information disclosed can be best utilised by creditors and investors in making their lending and investing decisions. Students consider the environment in which financial reporting exists, including the incentives faced by preparers of financial reports. From their assessment, students learn to adjust reported data as is typically done by analysts.

This subject focuses on the nature of accounting for organisations from the perspective of a preparer and user of financial reports. The subject examines the methods of recording and reporting transactions and events and how to both prepare and analyse financial reports.

This includes obtaining an understanding of the judgements and decisions involved in the preparation of financial reports. The subject examines how these different judgements and accounting policy choices can impact the analysis of profitability, liquidity, financial stability and efficiency outcomes.

Strategic Cost Management examines the interface of cost accounting and managerial decision making.  Students are introduced to the concepts and processes that underpin the development of cost accounting systems and are taught a range of techniques to analyse and evaluate the cost information captured by these systems.  Students investigate the role of cost accounting information in managerial decisions that relate to the efficient and effective management of organisational resources and the creation of customer and shareholder value. 

The subject focuses on the role of managerial accounting information in strategic performance management. The subject explores the issues around goal setting, the role of budgets in performance management, performance measurement and evaluation, incentives, motivation and compensation, strategy implementation and the role of control systems.

The framework within which regulatory aspects of corporate reporting are conducted, the preparation of general purpose financial reports in accordance with the Corporations Law, the Australian Accounting Standards, and Interpretations.

Analysis of contemporary accounting issues within the frameworks of agency theory, capital markets theory and human judgement theory. The aim is to develop a critical understanding of established theories and assumptions underpinning financial accounting.

Topics include the general legal framework as it relates to the business environment; the basic law of contract; the responsibilities and risks that arise in business, with a particular emphasis on the law relating to corporate entities; the Australian corporate law framework as legislated; and the application of corporate law to the business environment.

Topics include Australian income tax law and its application to the business environment; compliance with statutory and professional requirements in relation to taxation; the taxation of capital gains; fringe benefits tax; goods and services tax; superannuation and the application of taxation law to selected current issues; and ethics for tax practitioners.

This subject provides a broad introduction to the key business processes that generate accounting transaction data and accounting information. Through an understanding of how information systems support business processes, you will acquire the skills to analyse, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes through the use of controls to ensure the reliability of accounting transaction data and the quality of information contained in accounting reports.

Diverse stakeholders are increasingly demanding information about the broader social and environmental dimensions of organizational performance. Incorporating this information into decision-making is complex because it tends to be non-financial in nature and traditional models tend to focus on financial information. This course will investigate issues associated with production, reporting, and use of sustainability related information for decision-making. At a broader level, the course will help students to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills to help them apply their knowledge to settings where extant models do not fit well.

Decision making in accounting and finance is enabled by information technology. This subject examines the concepts, tools and application of information technology in organisations by and for accounting and finance professionals. The focus is on enabling effective and efficient decisions, and enhancing productivity in accounting and finance practice. This subject seeks to empower accounting and finance professionals to advance from user to strategic owner of a firm’s IT resources.

Students will be assigned in small groups to a Practicum Organisation. Working in teams, they will undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This will be supported by seminar work equipping the students with knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for completing the task and an understanding of report formats appropriate for conveying the results. During the practicum, in-depth work will be undertaken in identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information in real business settings, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, to present their findings and seek and received constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing the business project.

Students will be assigned in small groups to a Practicum Organisation. Working in teams, they will undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This will be supported by seminar work equipping the students with knowledge of approaches, tools and techniques for completing the task and an understanding of report formats appropriate for conveying the results. During the practicum, in-depth work will be undertaken in identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work with unstructured and incomplete information in real business settings, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, to present their findings and seek and received constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing the business project.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamentals of microeconomics, strategy and key issues in macroeconomics, and applies this knowledge to business and management issues. Topics to be covered include: the working of competitive markets; the operation of business organisations such as cost management and pricing decisions; strategic behaviour and market outcomes in different market environments; the effect of public policy on business organisations; and the main macroeconomic influences on the business environment.

The subject provides an understanding of the economic analysis of market and government decisions affecting the environment. Topics include economic principles used in analysing private sector decisions on resource use and preservation, externalities and public goods reasons for government intervention, the theory and practice of benefit cost analysis, case study illustrations to water, forests, greenhouse gases and biodiversity.

The subject covers issues relating to the labour market (employment and unemployment), the product market (consumption, saving and investment) and the markets for finance and foreign exchange. It covers the role of government economic policy as well as issues such as inflation and the balance of payments.

Balance of payments analysis, foreign exchange markets and terminology, international financial markets and international banking, international investments and portfolio allocation, measuring and managing foreign exchange exposure, international capital budgeting and counting risk analysis, international corporate financing decisions.

This subject provides an extended analysis of capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policy and corporate risk management. Topics include the effect of the dividend imputation system of taxation on dividend policy, capital structure and capital budgeting; a comprehensive analysis of corporate structure and capital budgeting; a comprehensive analysis of corporate acquisitions and restructuring; a detailed examination of alternative funding mechanisms including leases; and a discussion of current issues in Australia corporate finance.

This subject is designed to equip students with the tools necessary to enable them to make the core investment management decisions that managers face on a daily basis as well as the knowledge as to where they can find the information necessary to apply those tools. This subject is an introduction to investment analysis, with emphasis on equity securities and fixed income securities. The topics covered focus on issues fundamental to financial managers, money managers, risk managers, financial advisors and regulators. These topics include fundamental ideas in asset pricing; modern portfolio theory and its applications; equilibrium theories of asset pricing; portfolio performance evaluation; and key issues in the pricing and portfolio allocation of fixed income assets.

Ethical practices instil a public trust in the fairness of financial markets and transactions, allowing them to function efficiently. Ethical practices by finance and investment professionals benefit all market participants and stakeholders and lead to increased investor confidence in global capital markets. The perspectives acquired in this subject should be useful to students in their chosen finance profession as this subject presents a framework for ethical conduct in the investment profession by focusing on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Citing and discussing examples of the financial scandals that have shaken public confidence in the ethics of financial market participants, this subject explains the importance of ethics in the operation of financial institutions and in the personal conduct of finance professionals.

This subject is designed to equip students with the tools necessary to enable them to make the core decisions faced by managers and investors. The first part of the subject deals with establishing the environment in which organizations operate, namely the objectives of the suppliers of financial and human capital. The subject then considers the basic tools commonly employed by financial managers and investors including discounted cash flow techniques and financial mathematics. Measures and definitions of alternative forms of risk are considered and the relation between risk and expected reward in capital markets is established. Finally, the subject considers the important decisions faced by firms (such as investment, financing and dividend policy) and by investors (the composition of their optimal portfolio of stocks).

This subject will explain and conceptualise the nature of Asian management and business practices from economic, cultural and institutional perspectives. The emphasis of the subject is on the application of contextual knowledge about international business theory as tailored to the Asia Pacific, to analyse and make decisions faced by companies operating or expanding in the Asia Pacific region. Students will be required to apply the knowledge and skills learnt to solve various business issues in Asian business environment.

The demand for business-focused HR means that HR practitioners need the ability to work in partnership with stakeholders from diverse areas of the business. This capacity is essential to improving the implementation of HR strategies, initiatives and plans, to build business support for HR and to ensure that HR is integrated with other business activities and functions. This subject focuses on developing business partnership competencies for HR people and will cover consulting and influencing skills, relationship-building, organisational politics, group processes and project management.

One of the main challenges for today's managers is effectively communicating vision and inspiring employees to achieve that vision within team-based work structures. This subject deals with this challenge by examining the interaction of leadership and team processes. A focus will be on critically evaluating the role of leaders in organisations with high involvement work practices (for example, employee involvement and empowerment) and the role of human resource practices in identifying and developing organisational leaders. Topics considered will include: contemporary theories of leadership; the role of managers as organisational leaders; human resources and leadership challenges of the team-based organisational structure; managing team dynamics; the effectiveness of shared leadership; human resource strategies for developing organisational leaders; and the impact of high involvement work practices on leading and managing teams.

This subject focuses on the link between HRM and business strategies and operations. The subject examines fundamental tools in strategic human resource management including the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of HR activities. A focus will be on the fit between HR and business strategy, and the congruence among HR activities. The subject will critically analyse strategic HRM theories and practices and their applications to organisational realities. The changing nature of the HRM function and its impact on HR professionals will also be considered.

The way in which an organisation defines, assesses and rewards employee performance has implications for its ability to attract, motivate and retain employees. This subject uses theory and research to identify practical insights into systems for assessing employee performance and linking performance to pay outcomes. The subject will also address contemporary issues such as the employee and supervisor gender and transparency on the implementation and effectiveness of performance and reward management practices.

Businesses are collections of individuals who are organised and cooperate to solve problems. Thus, all business activity has its roots in psychological processes such as individual and group cognition and emotion, personality, and social influence. In this subject we explore the psychological foundations of management practice by focusing on how managerial problems (e.g., high levels of absenteeism; poor collaboration among team members; etc.) can be understood and addressed using different psychological principals.

This subject examines individual and collective human behaviour in and around issues of organisational change. The subject will cover a broad theoretical basis that assists in understanding how change at the employee, group and strategic levels affects individuals. Both the planned approach and emergent approach to change management will be considered. Topics to be covered include: drivers of change, the role of internal and external change agents, tools for successful change management, and the implementation and consequences of specific change initiatives.

This subject is aimed at developing an advanced understanding of the principles, concepts and approaches employed in the management of supply chains between industrial, commercial, and governmental organisations. It includes the management of materials and information in trading partner relationships. It also includes cost-savings, time-to-market, new product development, and consideration of supply chain management in these and other strategic contexts. Strategic issues relevant to the management of supply chains are covered. These include management of trading partner relationships, use of information technology, configuration of logistics networks and managing international supply chains.

The purpose of this subject is to examine the topics of Managing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the context of large and small organisations. Innovation is ultimately the lifeblood of organisations, in that it is concerned with the capability to effectively introduce new products and services, new or substantively improved processes or other major initiatives into existing and new organisations. Topics include innovation capability, new product/process technology introduction, and innovation culture and innovation measures The subject addresses the process of innovation exploitation and exploration and the role ambidextrous organisational designs and dynamic organisational capabilities play in this process. The subject will examine the emerging importance of open innovation in the co-evolution of market and customer value and the use of crowd and expert sourcing in this process. Key elements addressed that are part of successful innovation companies are vision and strategy innovation, creativity and idea management, culture and climate, management of technology, organisational structures, intelligence and systems. Firms that have successfully and systematically created such capabilities will be used as case studies. The subject also examines the definition of an entrepreneur as an innovator who recognises and seizes opportunities; converts those opportunities into workable/marketable ideas; adds value through effort, money and skills; assumes the risk of the competitive marketplace to implement these ideas; and realises the rewards from these efforts.

The use of project management techniques has risen sharply. Examples of projects include research and development studies, reorganisation efforts, implementation of change programs, installation of a new piece of equipment, advertising campaigns, construction, organising special events and other one-off endeavours. The subject will cover the key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments. Project selection is the first critical set of decisions. Matching of the projects selected to the organisation’s strategy is taken as the starting point. Practical tools and techniques will then be introduced to manage the project or special event for success. The subject will also involve the use of an appropriate Project Management software package such as MS Project.

This subject examines the engine of every organisation: its productive processes. These are the systems, processes and activities that convert the organisation's inputs into its outputs. Whether manufacturing of goods or provision of services, the principles and techniques of Operations Management can assist an organisation to achieve effective outcomes in terms of cost, quality, delivery, service levels, flexibility and innovation. This subject is integrative in nature, drawing upon concepts originally developed in other areas. The traditional topics such as: assessing the strategic importance of operations; planning and controlling the use of resources; ensuring quality of products and services; and various human issues involved in operations are examined from a contemporary perspective that involves complex phenomena such as globalisation, supply chains, virtual and e-operations, agile/lean operations and mass customisation. Quantitative approaches are often useful in leading us toward possible solutions and so these are introduced where appropriate. However, in many situations, it is sufficient to descriptively understand the critical issues and major trade-offs involved. Finally, links with other areas of decisions and organisational functions are considered as they are critical to getting the most from the operations system.

Firms face complex problems of governance and increasing scrutiny. The course will explain the function and features of corporate governance and key corporate governance theories. It will analyse the roles of board members and why good corporate governance practices are important for businesses. In particular, the course will discuss the implications of board membership composition for firms; why independent directors on boards are crucial; how committees are structured; the distinctive function of a CEO and Chairman, among others. It will also highlight corporate governance in an era of 'social responsibility'.

This subject will explore a broad range of issues central to management and business communication. These issues will draw on a number of different theories of management including corporate communication with stakeholders, the impact of new information and communication technologies, encouraging employee voice, and informal communication systems in organizations. The subject will evaluate and contrast different cases of management and business communication and explore the communication challenges facing businesses today.

Social entrepreneurs are individuals who establish an enterprise with the goal of solving complex social or environmental problems, including poverty, access to health, homelessness, climate change and food waste. They have been credited with success in disrupting the traditional forms and purpose of business and charity by creating innovative social enterprises that meld the best features of business and the non-profit sector. This subject seeks to equip students with a critical understanding of the social enterprise form and support them in developing a startup social enterprise with the purpose of solving a social and/or environmental problem. Designed and delivered with input from leaders in the social enterprise sector, the subject features lectures and workshops on social enterprise design, business modelling, pitching, social finance and measurement, as well as addressing the difficulties and dark side of social enterprise. In the subject students will develop an idea for a startup social enterprise and develop a business plan which they will pitch to a Shark Tank panel of experts. Prizes will be awarded to the best ideas to help develop these solutions into successful social enterprises.

Managing diversity is a strategic approach towards HRM. It is about utilising human resources efficiently and effectively by identifying significant differences in the workforce and labour markets, and exploring the potential advantages of workforce diversity. This subject will examine the key issues of managing diversity from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. The focus of the subject is anti-discrimination in all aspects of employment. This will be examined by a consideration of the discrimination and fairness, access and legitimacy, and learning and effectiveness paradigms.

Conflict between individual and groups is an inevitable aspect of day to day life. This subject will review the nature of conflict in the workplace and the conflict management strategies of influencing and negotiation. Students will be given the opportunity to apply negotiation techniques to case studies and in simulations.

Retailing is fundamental to the marketing mix. Retail stores are all around us, and provide marketers with a means to attract and retain customers, and build brand value. Retail Management examines the strategic issues relating to retailing management and the frontiers of retail innovation. Subjects covered include developing retail strategy in highly competitive environments, experiential retailing, multi-channel retailing (online and offline), managing customer and supplier relationships, merchandise and range management, retail branding and flagship stores, global retailing strategies, big data in retail, and responsible retailing. Theoretical discussions will be complemented with practical case studies and current examples in the world of retail.

Product development is an important source of profitability as existing markets become price competitive and saturated. However, the process of product development is fraught with risk. In this course we study the process of managing products and how companies can manage their introduction and elimination from the product portfolio. We review how these decisions are made within the context of profit seeking and not-for-profit organizations. We then review the implication of these decisions for performance.

This subject examines the practices of public relations management. Topics include an introduction to public relations, the evolution of public relations, public relations theory, ethical issues in public relations, public relations strategies and tactics, the various stakeholders/publics that organisations interact with and the issues that they face with their major stakeholder relationships, crisis management, and also an examination of the difference between marketing public relations (MPR) and corporate public relations. Marketing public relations (MPR) is a key focus in the class.

This subject provides an introduction to the basic concepts, principles and activities of marketing and how to manage an organisation's marketing effort. Some of the principal topics include value-based marketing, market research, selecting target markets, product and brand management, marketing communications (advertising and promotions, as well as personal selling), management of distribution channels, pricing decisions and marketing ethics. Students are also introduced to the nature of buyer behaviour, including decision-making patterns, purchase behaviours, and customer satisfaction.

This subject focuses on the task of developing and managing brands. It examines the way in which brand decisions may contribute to creating competitive advantage and explains how to analyse industries, make changes in brand strategies over time, and respond to competitive moves. Students also gain an understanding of the issues involved in the development and management of new products, how to manage product lines, and how to measure, develop and manage their brand equity.

This subject aims to equip potential leaders in organisations with current knowledge and tools to compete through the strategic use of service. Suitable industries include consulting, advertising, finance, healthcare, legal, retail, hospitality, transportation and public services to name a few. The management of a service organisation presents unique challenges and opportunities because of the intangible nature of the offering and the critical role of service personnel, customers and technology in service creation and delivery. This subject will focus on the enabling practices, theories and frameworks that help improve the customer/client or citizen experiences for enhanced brand loyalty and organisational success. Subject content includes: developing a service culture; sales training; building trusting relationships; metrics for customer service; blueprinting desirable customer experiences; managing supply and demand of a perishable service; enabling service personnel, IT and customers for superior value creation; designing effective servicescapes; recognising and managing role stress in service personnel; planning for feedback and effective service failure recovery.

This subject examines the factors affecting the purchase, usage and disposal of products and services. Topics include the introduction and application of customer behaviour concepts to marketing decision making; consumer behaviour models of information processing; the identification of psychological variables which influence customer decision making; social factors affecting consumer behaviour; and an introduction to a variety of consumer-related market research techniques.

This subject concentrates heavily on advertising, but also addresses the issues of internet advertising, public relations, and sales promotions. The emphases will be on understanding the theoretical foundation underlying persuasive communications, promotional strategy selection, integration of communications with other marketing activities, strategy implementation, and budgeting. The subject incorporates both lecture and cases as instructional vehicles.

Business managers request, assess, purchase and use marketing research to make a wide range of informed decisions about target markets, product offerings and the performance of marketing activities. To be able to do this competently, managers need to know what benefits marketing research can provide, what research methods are appropriate for the different types of problems, and how data should be collected, analysed, interpreted and presented so that it is meaningful to other users. These are skills students will acquire through their participation in a 'real-life' client-sponsored project.

International Marketing Management provides students with an introduction to basic marketing concepts as they apply in an international context. More fundamentally, it discusses some of the most important topics facing both international marketing practitioners and academics. These include global marketing strategy, assessment of market opportunities, type of market entry, international product and brand, pricing, distribution and promotion policies. Students will experience all aspects of international marketing management first-hand by playing a simulation game throughout the semester.

This marketing subject exposes students to an integrated perspective of the firm, how it interfaces with its environment, and how it creates and sustains value. Value creation occurs through interactions of a firm with its stakeholders (including its customers) and is central to marketing. The subject builds a conceptual framework to examine the choices (marketing) managers face in determining how best to create value, and how these choices may be shaped by key stakeholders including government, society, trading partners, customers, employees and competitors. A key focus of this subject is on value creation as a cross disciplinary and cross firm activity. As such, the focus is on value creation from multiple disciplinary perspectives including marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship, HRM, supply chain management and organisational design.

This subject examines the planning and marketing of products and services on the internet. It analyses the economic, social, and technological opportunities and challenges presented by internet-based marketing. Topics include: internet business models, online consumer behaviour, the nature of social interaction and its effect on marketing, analytics, web design, and Search Engine Marketing.

Risk management is a key business activity that impacts the full range of organisational activities and functional areas across the enterprise. This subject surveys a spectrum of business risks from operational to strategic risks. It provides a foundation in enterprise risk management principles, tools and techniques such as risk scenario planning.

The world of work is undergoing significant transformation in response to a wide range of economic, social and technological changes. These changes have important consequences for how work is organised, how people are managed and how labour markets perform. This subject looks at how these developments are managed by organisations as well as the macro-level through public policy responses aimed at balancing competing policy objectives. This subject draws on both theory and evidence to explore new Human Resource Management and employment issues and policy responses emerging in many countries around the world, including: new actors and institutions; the transformation of professions and careers structures; investing in and managing human capital, voice and representation at work; workforce diversity; technological change, new business models and new forms of working; online labour markets; the quality of jobs and work-life; labour market inequality and insecurity; and the global competition for jobs.