Course Title: Research and report on the feasibility of import or export venture

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: MKTG7897

Course Title: Research and report on the feasibility of import or export venture

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6144 - Advanced Diploma of International Business

Course Contact: Suzanne Maugeri

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1466

Course Contact Email: suzanne.maugeri@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Bill James

william.james2@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to o research and report on identifying, selecting and targeting a product or service for import or export to a country or region of choice.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21670 Research and report on the feasibility of import or export venture

Element:

1. Investigate the import or export of a product or service.

Performance Criteria:

1.1
Undertake market research, data collection and international trade analysis for suitable products or service in accordance with research and organisational requirements.
1.2
Analyse and evaluate market requirements by investigating relevant sources for a product or service.
1.3
Analyse regulatory requirements that impact on the importation or exportation product or service.
1.4
Investigate issues that affect export or import for a product or service.

Element:

2. Establish supportive risk management strategies.

Performance Criteria:

2.1
Develop risk management framework for an import or export venture project.
2.2
Establish relevant external relationships and negotiations for the trade of the product or service.
2.3
Develop risk mitigation strategies with the internal and external partner (s) for the import or export of the product or service, in accordance with legal and organization requirements

Element:

3. Validate the feasibility of research outcomes for an import or export venture.

Performance Criteria:

3.1
Document data collection, analysis, research techniques and feasibility of the import or export venture of the selected country or region.
3.2
Present feasibility study to stakeholders using current professional industry communication strategies.


Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to research and report on identifying, selecting and targeting a product or service for import or export to a country or region of choice.


Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative class room based activities.

The self-based activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and will include quizzes, scenario case studies and interactive sessions.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice skills in a simulated workplace environment.

 

The following courses are co-delivered and co-assessed: Research and Report on feasibility of Import or Export Venture (VU21670); Investigate & Design E-Business Solutions (BSBEBU501A)


Teaching Schedule

Week    Starting     Topic
1  8 Feb Induction
2  15 Feb  The role of e-business in international trade
3  22 Feb  Market entry and expansion strategies – Traditional and E-Business.
4  29 Feb  Market entry and expansion strategies – Traditional and E-Business.
5  7 Mch  Market Analysis for Import / Export
6  14 Mch  Market Analysis for Import / Export
7  21 Mch Design an e business
    MID SEMESTER BREAK
8  4 Apr  Design an e business
9  11 Apr  Evaluating the e-commerce opportunity and strategy
10  18 Apr  Risk Management for Import Export and E-Business
11  25 Apr  Validate the feasibility of research outcomes for an import or export venture.
12  2 May  Validate the feasibility of research outcomes for an import or export venture.
13  9 May  Implement and e-business strategy
14  16 May  Implement and e-business strategy
15  23 may  Revision and Review
16  30 May Final resubmissions if necessary

Week 1 will consist of an induction to the course which will include completion of a pre training review and familiarisation with:
• Your teacher(s) and other students.
• Services and facilities
• Student responsibilities
• Where to get support
• Course requirements, key learning outcomes, assessment, feedback and grading.
• Submission requirements and the resubmission policy
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions and Special Consideration
• Privacy


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

  • direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
  • review of final printed documents
  • demonstration of techniques
  • observation of presentations
  • oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of software applications

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Performance Evidence

You must provide evidence of the following:

  • undertaking market research to identify trends in the target market to inform decision-making within the organisation
  • developing risk mitigation strategies for a product/service
  • developing a feasibility study for the target market that incorporates:
    - research techniques employed across the project
    - data collation and analysis
    - the criteria on which product or service and country/region/sector was/were selected
    - supportive market requirements for product or service
    - the viability of implementation of the product/service into the country/region/sector selected.
  • current knowledge of relevant trade legislation and international marketing trends.
  • ability to develop risk management/risk mitigation strategies to manage risks
    literacy skills to:
    - interpret product/service information for import/export venture
    - analyse and summarise product/service information specified formats, make recommendations based on information gathered Communication skills including conducting interviews, questioning, clarifying, reporting
  • communication skills to:
    - liaise with stakeholders
    - conduct interviews
    - present information and research relating to the viability of an import or export venture
  • numeracy skills to analyse statistical information
  • technological skills to use computers to collect, analyse and document import and export data.
  • analytical skills to:
    - research, gather information and investigate the viability of import or export ventures
    - assess risks.

Knowledge Evidence

Further to performance evidence, you must provide knowledge evidence of the following:

  • international marketing and trends
  • relevant national and international legislation, including:
    - Customs Act,
    - INCOTERMS, international standards for marking cargo and labelling and marking hazardous goods
  • trade modernisation legislation:
    - Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act
    - Import Processing Charges Act
    - Customs Depot Licensing Charges Amendment Act
    - Trade Practices Act, Contract law
    - Warsaw convention
       - World Trade Organisation determinations
  • Australian Customs Service and the regulation of all imports

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

The following courses are co-delivered and co-assessed - Research and Report on feasibility of Import or Export Venture (VU21670); Investigate & Design E-Business Solutions (BSBEBU501A)

This course has 2 assessments.  Students must successfully complete all tasks to be deemed competent.

Assessment Task 1 - Assessed set activities/exercises 

Date handed out: Week 1 
Date and time due: Week 6
Group or individual: Groups of no more than 4 persons

Purpose:
This assignment will allow you to demonstrate an understanding of reviewing the global market environment, assess and investigate international business and e-commerce market factors & marketing opportunities and key provisions of relevant legislation that may affect aspects of business operations within Australia and internationally

Requirements:
1. Overall proposal (1000 Words)
1.1 Choose a company that is currently exporting or developing an export proposal
1.2 Choose a target market: choose one country to export a product from the following:
1.3 Discuss the political and economic status of the country.

2. E-business solutions (1000 Words)
2.1 Evaluate e-business opportunities involving new business models .
2.2 Undertake market research to identify trends in the target market to inform the
decision-making process within the organisation.

 

Assessment Task 2 

Date handed out: Week 2
Date and time due: Week 14 – Assessment 2
Group or individual: Groups of no more than 2 persons

Purpose:
This assignment will allow you to demonstrate an understanding of how to evaluate the international environment, and to identify market factors and risks. You will also demonstrate a clear understanding of e-business models and apply them to the opportunity you develop.

Requirements:

This assignment will require students to work in designated groups on a case study drawn from the Australian Exporter awards winners.  Students will need to complete a report, and an professional AV presentation.

Your role and responsibilities to the organization/company are as follows:

1. Review the global market environment
2. Investigate and assess international business opportunities
3. Identify risk factors for international marketing opportunities
4. Determine and formulate international e-business objectives and approach
5. Determine operational structures
6. …and any other key requirements defined within the client needs analysis.

NB: Word limit for the report is 2,500 words - Whilst the word limit on these projects is limited - students should not ascertain this as a reflection of the volume of work required.  Students will be required to undertake significant research and thoroughly discuss and workshop ideas throughout the duration of the course.  A high quality, meaningful, realistic and effective proposal will be required to be successful in this course.

 

You are also required to present your feasibility study to stakeholders using current professional industry communication strategies. This will take the form of a 7-9 minute AV presentation with relevant PowerPoint or similar style slides and handouts.

 

Submission requirements:
Assessment tasks must be submitted online through blackboard.

You must:
• Retain a copy of your assessment tasks.
• Complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
• For group assignments - all group members must complete and sign the cover sheet.
• Each page of your assessment you should include footer with your name(s), student number(s), the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.


Final Date for All Assessments.
Unless the Late Submission Procedures (see above) are applied, No assessment tasks or resubmissions will be accepted after 5pm Friday, Week 16.
 


Assessment Matrix

Marking Guide (competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.
You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.

You will be provided with an assessment matrix in the assessments area of the unit blackboard shell. Generally, your grading will be assessed against how well you:
• Perform the activities as required by the learning elements of this unit of competency.
• Demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit of competency.
• Execute the required skills for this unit of competency.
• Demonstrate your employability skills through contribution to learning activities related to this assessment, timeliness, use of technology and teamwork.

Final Grades table:
DNS - Did not submit for assessment
NYC - Not yet competent
CAG - Competency achieved – graded
CC - Competent with credit
CDI - Competent with distinction
CHD - Competent with high distinction

Other Information

Late submissions
If circumstances outside your control are likely to prevent you from submitting an assessment item on time, you may apply to your teacher for an extension of up to seven calendar days.
You must apply for an extension at least one working day prior to the submission deadline.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Special Consideration
Extensions of greater than seven days will only be granted to eligible students through the special consideration process. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview