BUSDEV 711 : Business in a Changing World

Business and Economics

2024 Quarter Two (1244) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the implications of disruptive technologies such as AI, blockchain and deep learning. Focuses on enabling managers to understand various disruptive trends such as aging populations, global shifts in economic power and urbanisation. Analytical tools, concepts and perspectives are provided which help managers analyse and put forward recommendations on how to navigate disruptive trends and technologies.

Course Overview

This course is positioned at the intersection of two truisms. The first is that change in the business environment is unrelenting. However, although firms are usually able to address the normal ebbs and flows, some changes are of such a magnitude, or of pace, that it can be difficult for firms to effectively respond to them. This is aggravated by the fact that some of those disruptive changes are hard to predict, or even unpredictable.

The second truism is that business development takes time. The quest to grow new business through some combination of new products or services, and new markets cannot be done instantly. Entering into, say, a new international market, can rarely be done overnight. Bringing a new product to a state where it is ready to be sold into a market might take months (for some software-based products) or even many years (in the case of a new a drug). In the time between conceiving of a business development initiative and it being fully realised, there can be material changes in the business environment.

Thus, those involved in business development not only need the skills, knowledge, and abilities (KSA) to understand the current business environment, but also the capabilities to anticipate the future changes, and the KSA to able to react to changes that were unanticipated. The overall goal of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to allow the business developer to better contend with those disruptive changes.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Indentify and assess the implications of disruptive technologies and trends on business development and growth. (Capability 1 and 2)
  2. Apply analytical tools, frameworks and theories to determine and prioritise business opportunities, risks and threats that rise from changes in the business environment. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 6)
  3. Generate and evaluate strategic recommendations that navigate uncertainty and risk associated with disruptive trends (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  4. Develop, design and justify business processes that enable organisations to implement recommendations associated with disruptive trends. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Discussion 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Project 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Discussion
Assignments
Project

To pass this course, an overall grade of C- needs to be met or exceeded.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 150 hours per course for each 15 point course in which they are enrolled.

For this course, you can expect to spend about 15 hours per week on course related activities; e.g., reading and thinking about the content,  and work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Online

  • The course will include live on-line seminar events. Those will be recorded, and so attending those events 'in real time' is optional.
  • In addition, there will be on-line office hours where you can talk with the teaching staff.
  • Attendance on campus is not required for any component of the course.
  • Where possible, all study material will be available when the course begins.
  • This course runs to the University's quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is no textbook for this course. However, there is a Talis reading list on Canvas.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

    

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 03:47 p.m.