Business and Government in the Global

Context BUSM3886
Introduction to the course
SEMESTER 2, 2015

Dr Jacinta Ryan
On behalf of
Dr Alan Montague
Course Co-ordinator
alan.montague@rmit.edu.au
 Introduction to the Course and Content - &
Assessment Tasks 1,2 & 3.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/02/china_party_congress/china_ruling_party/how_
 Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability
Development

Students in this course will to develop their

skills in critical thinking, writing, and active
participation in discussions about current
issues relating to business and
government in the global context based on
a wide array of readings and other material
from us and your own research.
In a Masters Degree by Coursework we your lecturers and
tutors, and you the students, have reciprocal obligations.
These reciprocal obligations we share with you include :
ensuring that this course assist you to qualify with a Business Master by coursework as
individuals who can apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for
professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further lifelong learning
You graduating at this level possessing specialised knowledge and skills for research,
and/or professional practice and/or further learning
Possessing Knowledge - Graduates at this level will have advanced and integrated
understanding of a complex body of knowledge in one or more disciplines or areas of
practice and in this course it means an enhanced knowledge of business and
government in a global context
Possessing Skills - Graduates at this level will have expert, specialised cognitive and
technical skills in a body of knowledge or practice to independently:
analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems,
concepts and theories
research and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or practice
interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-
specialist audiences
Basically this course design aims to develop your capacity
as a graduate to apply knowledge and skills:

That demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement,

adaptability, and responsibility as a working
practitioner working in a business field and
ongoing learner either formally or informally or
both
 Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability
Development
On completion of this course you will have a developed understanding of:
globalisation, business and government roles (and the interrelationships)
ever changing public sector and private sector boundaries
neo-liberalism and the impact on the socio-political environment on business
and civic society
the role of interest groups on public/government policy (lobbying)
corporate social responsibility, ethics, and the role of company boards
government regulation of business
the effects of globalisation
wealth, inequality poverty
the growth and global impact of multinational and transnational corporations

And more
The Course has-
Twelve one hour lectures
&

Twelve two hour tutorials (commencing

in week 2 - week commencing 27 July
2015 - and concluding in week 13)
THE TUTORIALS will include analytical
group discussions and a range of exercises.
The resources and activities for
tutorial/workshops are available under Course
Content as complementary resources to each
lecture (1-12) please refer to the course
blackboard through myRMIT on the student
page of the RMIT website.
 Assessment Tasks 1 - 3

Three assessment tasks are required for this

course.

Assessment Task 1: will involve a brief

presentation on a major issue relevant to the
course in one of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th tutorials.
(Your tutor may draw names from a hat to
schedule presentations)
The presentation lasts five minutes and is
worth 10 marks.
 The Lectures and Tutorials
Month Sem-2 Dates Tuesday Tutorials on various
Lectures days
21/07/2015 Lecture Week 1
July No tutorials for week 1
28/07/2015 Lecture Week 2 Tutorials for Lecture 1 (plan and discuss Task 1)

August 4/08/2015 Lecture Week 3 Tutorials for Lecture 2

11/08/2015 Lecture Week 4 Tutorials for Lecture 3 (commence planning and discussing Task 2
reports review introductions only in
tutorials).

18/08/2015 Lecture Week 5 Tutorials for Lecture 4

25/08/2015 Lecture Week 6 Tutorials for Lecture 5

September 1/09/2015 Lecture Week 7 Tutorials for Lecture 6

8/09/2015 Lecture Week 8 Tutorials for Week 7 (commence planning and discussing Task 3
reports review introductions only in
tutorials).

15/09/2015 Lecture Week 9 Tutorials for Lecture 8

22/09/2015 Lecture Week 10 Tutorials for Lecture 9

29/09/2015 Lecture Week 11 Tutorials for Lecture 10

October 6/10/2015 Lecture Week 12 Tutorials for Lecture 11

Week commencing No Lecture Tutorials for Lecture 12

12/10/2015
 Assessment Task 1

Students will present a quality peer reviewed journal article on

a specific topic in any way they wish (present verbally, with a
PPT, written and spoken) This task is due to be completed in
the third and fourth tutorials.
The journal article must be relevant to the course.
Students are to summarise the article highlighting the key
points the article presents and any definitions of major terms
that are of significant relevance.
A reference of the journal article needs to be provided in line
with the referencing guide that will be outlined in your first
tutorial in week 2 and can be accessed from the following
URL < https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing/index.html >
 Assessment criteria for Task 1
1. The academic quality of the journal article (must be
peer reviewed).
2. Demonstrated understanding of the article through
summarising the key points and main arguments.
3. Ability to link the key points in the article to the
roles of business and government in a global
context.
4. Capabilities in terms of communication and
presentation skills.
5. Referencing the article appropriately.
 Assessment Task 2:

A report observing academic conventions of

2500 words on issues covered in the first 5
lectures and independent research aligned to
the lectures and tutorials.
Assessment Task 2 is due online 9pm Friday 4
September 2015
You are to answer either Question 1 or 2 that
follow on the next slides - not both.
Task 2 is worth a possible forty (40) Marks
 Assessment Task 2 Question 1

1. Neoliberalism represents political economic

thought that advocates organising society on the
model of an idealised free market economy. From a
global perspective the neoliberalism ideology needs
to be questioned and revised as there are many
problems that are occurring within numerous political
economies and multi-national and trans-national
corporations are becoming too powerful for
governments to control. Based on your research
discuss the prevailing academic views about
neoliberalism and government control over multi-
national and trans-national corporations.
 Assessment Task 2 Question 2

2. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) involves

trade negotiation between the United States and 11
other nations throughout the Asia Pacific region. The
TPP, and how it has been negotiated, is highly
controversial. For some, it is considered a sellout to
multinational corporations that may have far-reaching
negative effects on many societies while others
suggest the TPP will grow economies, create jobs,
reduce trade deficits, and establish stronger ties
between trading nations. Based on your research
conduct your own assessment of the benefits and
limitations of the TPP.
Assessment Task 3

A report observing academic conventions

of 3000 words is required on a specific
topic based on issues of relevance on
material covered in the whole of the course.
Assessment Task 3 is due online 9pm
Friday 30 October 2015
Again you are to answer either Question 1
or 2 that follow on the next slides - not both.
Task 3 is worth a possible fifty (50) Marks
 Assessment Task 3 Question 1

1. There is considerable debate as to

where power resides and whether
governments, citizens or corporations are
the most powerful. Drawing upon the
course academic resources, and your
research, evaluate how power relations
between government, citizens, and
corporations have changed in recent
decades.
 Assessment task 3 Question 2

2. Globally, societies confront immense

environmental challenges which require
competent and decisive responses from
governments, citizens and corporations.
Drawing upon the course academic resources,
and your research, discuss how corporations
are taking action to address environmental
challenges and the difficulties they confront in
doing so.
Assessment Criteria for Assessment Tasks 2 and 3
The reports will be assessed on you:
Demonstrating sound academic research based purely on quality literature in the field.
Exhibiting a developed and enhanced understanding of the complexities of aspects
related to globalisation and its impact on societies.
Presenting a cultivated and advanced understanding of the independent,
interdependent and dependant roles of government and business.
Displaying developed skills in critical thinking and synthesising academic literature
within their report writing on current issues relating to business and government in a
global context.
Demonstrating in-depth learning and understanding concerning the stakeholders in the
global context which include an array of businesses ranging in size from one-person
proprietorships to corporate giants, government and non-government organisations.
Exhibiting a capacity to analyse and evaluate current issues in the global context and
propose ways that these issues may be managed to reduce risks to global societies.
Showing capabilities in terms of communication and report writing and presentation
skills.
Demonstrating developed skills in research and analysis based on literature reviews
using appropriate referencing conventions and the quality of the references used.
 Format of the Reports and Submission
Format of the Business Reports
The business reports should be prepared using 12 point Arial or
Times Roman font with 1.5 line spacing. Reports are submitted only
via the BlackBoard. The reports should be fully referenced
according to academic referencing conventions complying with
RMIT Business which uses a particular Harvard Style of
referencing: refer <
https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/bus/public/referencing/index.html >.
The length of the reports for Task 2 & 3 excludes the business
report abstract and references. The number of academic references
should be a minimum of twelve and these may include readings
posted on the BlackBoard, peer reviewed journal articles and
quality academic text books and reports or readings on the
blackboard. When submitting online cover sheets are not
required for this course.
 TEACHING TEAM MEMBERS
Ms. Megan Brayne megan.brayne@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Anjali Chhetri anjalichhetri@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Peter Hayes peter.hayes2@rmit.edu.au
Mr Andrew Linden andrew.linden@rmit.edu.au
Dr Alan Montague alan.montague@rmit.edu.au
Ms. Jacki O'Toole jackie.otoole@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Jacinta Ryan jacinta.ryan@rmit.edu.au
Dr. David Schmitt david.schmitt@rmit.edu.au
Dr. Darryn Snell darryn.snell@rmit.edu.au
 plagiarism (is unethical)
Plagiarism is taking property owned by
someone else and pretending it is your work
and not citing the source. It is actually theft of a
sort - stealing is another word - and everyone
understands this type of dishonesty.
You would not want someone else to steal
your hard work as it is unethical to plagiarise
because someone else has worked hard and
should receive credit!
Plagiarism defined - using the words or ideas of others and passing
them off as your own. Plagiarism is a type of intellectual theft.

Step 1 Step 2

. Plagiarism is . Make sure you

know as an RMIT
using the ideas
or words of student you are
others and aware of how
plagiarism occurs
passing them
off as your own.
Step 3
Good academic skills
make plagiarism less
likely to occur. Take
every opportunity to
develop your academic
skills
 Plagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment and may occur in oral,
written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or
creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is
your own.
The penalties for cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating
involves plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or
some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic misconduct,
cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is also a disciplinary
offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student. You
are responsible for keeping your work in a secure place. RMIT has a policy
on plagiarism.
Plagiarism covers a variety of inappropriate behaviours, including:
failure to properly document a source
copying material from the internet or databases
collusion between students
purchasing pre-written or on-demand papers from the numerous
paper mills and cheat sites
 What is Turnitin?
Turnitin is an online service, into which students, in this and
other courses, submit assignments into a large database. The
text of a student assignment, or whatever else has been
uploaded, is retained in the database. The database
compares the text in the assignment against other database
content which includes all of the World Wide Web, online e-
journals, and previously uploaded assignments. In the
Blackboard you submit Task 1 and 2 and if you do early
enough you are then able to review the citation and
paraphrasing used throughout your assignment to see if any
improvements are needed or if you have accidentally
plagiarised and then fix it. And we suggest you do.

For more information see:

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
 Overview of Lectures 1-6
Lectures
1. Introduction, course overview, defining business, government and
globalisation, an outline of the course and assessment Tasks 1, 2
and 3.
2. Part 1 Business and government forms. Part 2 An overview of the
World Trade Organisation.
3. The political economy, business and government, neoliberalism and
post-Fordism
4. The Trans-Pacific Partnership A neo-liberal agenda
5. Outsourcing, sovereignty and privatisation (the power of the
corporation versus the states)
6. Business and government - the past, the future and change
 Overview of Lectures 7-12
7. Labour market complexities and looming skill shortages
8. Corporate social responsibility, ethics and company boards
9. Business, government and climate change - sustainability
10. Finance and other Corporations - a lecture incorporating the 2003
documentary and book (The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit
and Power) by Professor Joel Bakan
11. & 12. . Recruitment, graduate attributes, skills and competencies what
employers want.
. The capitalist system, demographics, ageing societies, and
poverty and equality?
. Course summary
Objectives of the course are to increase your knowledge by
Outlining the role of government in its relationship with
business
Exploring the interactions between business, government,
and the society
Examining the impact of neoliberalism and the power of
corporations and the many positives and negatives that
prevail
Heighten your understanding of the interrelationship
between businesses, governments and society on
poverty, inequality and the environment.
Guiding you to learn more through your study and
research
Key Concepts

Business
Government
Globalisation
These 3 key terms that underpin the course
will be outlined in depth as the course
unfolds but the following outlines some
broad definitions.
The following interpretations on Business Government
and Globalisation are based on:
Hughes, O, & O'Neill, D. 2008 Business, government and globalization : An
international perspective. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dua, A., Heil, K. & Wilkins J. 2010 How business interacts with government:
McKinsey Global Survey results McKinsey & Company
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/public_sector/how_business_interacts_with
_government_mckinsey_global_survey_results accessed 18 February 2015
 Business

Definitions of Business
Business as commerce - the process in which people
produce, exchange and trade goods and services
Business as an occupation is the acquired set of specialised
skills and abilities that allows people to create valuable
goods and services
Business as an organisation is the system of task and
authority relationship that harmonises and controls the
interactions between people to work toward a common goal
Business as a system is a combination of business
commerce, occupations, and organizations that produces
and distributes the goods and services that create value for
people in a society
 Background

A Brief overview of Governments

Governments Role Nonregulatory
Influence on Business
The Roles of
Government and Governments
Business Regulatory Influence
on Business
Interaction of
Business, Deregulation
Government, and the
Summary
Public
 Governments Role - Influencing Business

Government (rightly or wrongly):

1. Stipulates the rules of the game for business.
2. Procures or purchases business
products/services.
3. Employs contracting power to get business to
provide services it demands.
4. Is a major subsidises and promotes business.
5. Owns massive capacities of productive
equipment and capital.
 Governments Role in Influencing Business

6. Is a policy designer of economic growth.

7. Can be either an investor, sponsor, banker or a
blend of each.
8. Theoretically and often actually protects societies
interests against exploitation by business.
9. Can manage large areas of private business.
10. Theoretically adopts the role as the storeroom or
repository where the social conscience of a society
(ethics/morals) resides and redistributes resources
to meet social objectives within competitive social,
political and economic environments
 In Principal Roles of Government and Business

Business Beliefs Government Beliefs

Maximises concession to Subordinated individual
self-interest
Minimises the load of
obligations society
imposes on the individual
(personal freedom)
Emphasises inequalities of
individuals
goals and self-interest to
group goals and group
interests
Maximised obligations
assumed by the individual
and discouraging self-
interest
Emphasised equality of
individuals
Roles of Government and Business

Social, Political, Economic

Technological, Health and
Wellbeing
National society
Communal society
Entitlements
Quality of life
 Interaction of Business, Government, and the Public

regulations public globalisation economies

voting politics
lobbying government

Public Relations
business (spin)
Governments roles

Major employer Major lender

Large purchaser Taxation
Major influence Monetary
Subsidies policy
Transfer
payments Moral
Major competitor persuasion
Governments Regulatory Influence on Business

Factors to Consider Regarding

Government Regulation
Protection
Scope
Cost
 Government as Regulator (in theory)

In many countries the three different levels of government are:

Federal/State/Local
The four aspects of the economy that the governments often
regulates are:
1. Protecting competition
2. Protecting business agreements
3. Protecting creative properties
4. Regulating the production process
Protecting Competition (in theory)
Oligopoly is when a small number of companies control
the market without actually forming a trust.
A company that controls an entire industry is called a
monopoly
Rival companies can form a monopoly by banding
together into a trust and agreeing not to compete with
each other.
Antitrust laws allow the government to break up
monopolies, regulate them, or take them over.
Government protects business is by enforcing contracts
Copyright, intellectual property, patents, trademarks
The environment
Provision of Public services

Infrastructure/services, roads, defence,

libraries, parks, education, hospitals
Taxes
Social welfare
Distribution of revenue
Services the Government
Graphic Provides
Organizer
PUBLIC
SAFETY

PUBLIC COURT
TRANSIT SYSTEM

GOVERNMENT
SERVICES
PARKS AND PUBLIC
RECREATION EDUCATION

POSTAL WELFARE
SERVICES SUBSIDIES
 Providing Work
The government is generally the single largest employer in the
countries.
Federal governments generally employ 100s of thousands and
sometimes millions of people in some countries.
In some countries people temporarily out of work, the
government provides unemployment insurance.
The government provides welfare benefits and job training
programs.
In some countries employers or the government take taking a
proportion of money out of your peoples salaries and setting it
aside for their future retirement
 Assisting Business
The government is the single largest consumer of goods and
services.
The government buys most of its equipment directly from
businesses or has it specially made, such as military equipment,
cars, property, roads, rail and ambulances and the list goes on
(and on).
Different kinds of small business loans to aspiring small-business
owners is available in some countries .
The government also lends money to big businesses that are in
financial trouble. The US banks after the financial crisis (2008) is
a good example of that allow me to digress on that issue
 A few things you need to know

Use and read Resources on the BlackBoard

Submit Tasks on Time (see Submit Task 1
here & Submit Task 2 here on the course
blackboard)
How to locate academic sources (texts, and
journal articles using the RMIT library)
How to write a report
All will be covered in the first tutorial next
week.
Globalisation is
A process of interaction and integration
among the people, businesses, and
governments of different nations.
A process driven by international trade and
investment.
Comprehensively aided and driven by
information technology.
Questions?