EFB240 Finance for International Business


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFB240
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed studies.
Equivalent:EFX240
Anti-requisite:EFB312
Coordinator:En-Te Chen | e.chen@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Doing business internationally increases the range and risks of financial transactions that must be managed within the firm. Managers making decisions involving international trade and investment need to be aware of the nature and extent of the risks involved and to be knowledgeable about fundamental financial skills used to measure and manage these risks. This unit builds on the skills developed in primary units of the International Business major and provides a firm base for developing financially sustainable international business strategies in later units.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Use theoretical frameworks for analysing and assessing the financial matters of the international firm. [KS 1.1]
  2. Identify and analyse the factors that affect risk and foreign exchange exposure when undertaking international financial transactions. HO [2.1]
  3. Evaluate the operations and impacts of the foreign exchange market and its instruments. [KS 1.1, HO 2.1]
  4. Analyse and compare foreign investment opportunities, assess their viability and make recommendations to inform sound investment decision making. [KS 1.1, HO 2.1, 2.2]
  5. Use technological and technical skills to assess foreign exchange impacts on international transactions and settlements and for numerical analysis and interpretation. [KS 1.2]

Content

This unit covers a variety of topics that deal with a number of issues including: an introduction to the international payments system, the operation of the foreign exchange markets, specific instruments such as the forward and futures market used for payments of financial obligations, country risk analysis and multinational business payment and investment exposures.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3
.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

This unit will be primarily delivered in the format of three hours class contact; a two hour lecture block followed by an hour's workshop period. This unit is designed to advance the students' level of critical enquiry and to encourage participation in critical analysis of key issues All lectures and workshop exercises are posted on the unit's Canvas site. Instructions for use and access to the Canvas site are presented in Lecture One.

In accordance with QUT policy, all units are to be subject to Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA). The Unit Coordinator will provide further details regarding CRA during the course of the semester during class and on the unit's Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the unit learning outcomes and course assurance of learning goals. The assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

  • receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment);
  • demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Foreign Direct Investment Assignment

The assignment involves researching an international business investment prospect using methods discussed in the course to assess the viability of an investment at country level. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2)

Weight: 40
Length: 2,000 words maximum
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4, 5

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

The exam tests definitions, financial concepts, and the application of theory to international financing of trade and investment and is drawn from the material covered in lectures and tutorials.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.1, 2.2)

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:40 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Eiteman, D.K., Daly K., Rath S., Stonehill, A.I., and Moffett, M.N. (2023) Multinational Business Finance, 16th Global Edition, Pearson

Recommended text(s)

Recommended Texts and Useful Reading:

Buckley, A. (2004) Multinational Finance (5th edn.). Prentice Hall Financial Times, Harlow.
Carbaugh, R. J. (2011) International Economics, (11th edn.). South-Western, Mason.
Eiteman, K., Stonehill, A.I. and Moffett, M.W. (2010) Multinational Business Finance, (12th edn.). Prentice Hall, Boston.
Eun, Cheol, S. and Bruce G. Resnick (2012) International Financial Management, (6th edn.) McGraw-Hill, New York.
Krugman, P.R. and Obstfeld, M (2011) International Economics Theory and Policy, (9th edn.). Pearson Education, Boston.
Griffin, R. and Pustay, M. (2010) International Business: A Managerial Perspective (6th edn.). Pearson/Prentice Hall, NJ.
Melvin, M. (2004) International Money and Finance (7th edn.). Pearson/Addison-Wesley, Boston.
Mishkin, F.S. (2010) The Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets, (9th edn.), Pearson Education, Boston
Shapiro, A.C. (2005) Foundations of Multinational Financial Management (5th edn.), Wiley, New York.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, End of Semester Examination

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO4, Foreign Direct Investment Assignment, End of Semester Examination

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, End of Semester Examination

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: ULO5, Foreign Direct Investment Assignment, End of Semester Examination

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, End of Semester Examination
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO5, End of Semester Examination
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, End of Semester Examination
  4. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO4, Foreign Direct Investment Assignment