This unit explores the characteristics of the global knowledge economy, as well as the major economic drivers of change. It provides an opportunity for participants to contextualise the various global economic, political and social pressures on organisations so as to respond to shifting community standards. The unit also provides the opportunity to evaluate frameworks and models aimed at assisting managers to develop appropriate capabilities to address an organisation’s global competitive and sustainability goals.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Facilitate students understanding and ability to analyse increasingly complex and constant change at an economic, political and social level through an examination of its impact of the global knowledge economy

2. Provide the opportunity for students to frame the concepts and characteristics of the global knowledge economy and apply them in their own industries and organisations as appropriate;

3. Evaluate and assess the challenges for nations (e.g. Australia) regions, communities, firms, and individuals posed by the global knowledge economy.

Face-to-face, online, blended

 

Online delivery is supported by a unit website, learning materials and online activities. Voluntary face-to-face workshops may also be offered.

Group-based Discussion 10-30%

Individual Report 30-50%

 

Case-based Project 30-50%

1. Strategic competence to align organisational decision making with environmental challenges.

2. Holistic and systemic thinking across business and commerce to support decision making and risk management in complexity

3. Analytical and problem solving skills that include rational-analytical, sense making and anticipatory competencies relevant to a shifting and turbulent business environment.

4. Communication, teamwork and advocacy skills to support the building of social capital in diverse project environments.

5. Capacity to apply normative ethical standards in the context of the business/society interface.

· What is the Global Knowledge Economy?
· History of the Global Knowledge Economy
· The Global Knowledge Economy and International Trade
· Knowledge, Human & Social Capital as Drivers of Growth
· The Global Knowledge Economy and Financial and Labour Market Deregulation
· The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
· Market Failures & Environmental Sustainability
· Managing Diversity in Australian Business in a Globalised Knowledge Economy
· Challenges for Organisations in the Global Knowledge Economy
· Globalisation and the Role of Institutions
· Nations, Corporations and Regional Structures
· The Role for Government in Supporting the Global Knowledge Economy

Bertone, S., Esposto., A. and Turner, R., 1998, ‘Diversity and Dollars: Productive Diversity in Australian Business and Industry’, CEDA Information Paper No. 58, Melbourne.

Goldsmith, S. and Samson, D. 2006, Sustainable Development and Business Success, Thomson, Victoria, Australia.

Hill. C.W.L. 2010. International Business: Competing in the Global Market Place, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Miles, D., and Scott, A., 2005, Macroeconomics: Understanding the Wealth of Nations, Second Edition, Wiley, Great Britain.

OECD, 1996, The Knowledge-Based Economy, OECD, Paris.

Saul, J., 2009, The Collapse of Globalism, Atlantic Books.

Sen, A., 1999, Development as Freedom, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Sheehan, P., and Tikhomirova, G., 1998, ‘The Rise of the Global Knowledge Economy, in Sheehan, P. and Tegart, G. (eds), Working for the Future: Technology and Employment in the Global Knowledge Economy, Victoria University Press, Melbourne.

Stiglitz, J. 2007, Making Globalization Work: the Next step to Global Justice, Penguin Books, Great Britain.

Synott, J., 2008, Global and International Studies: an Introduction, 2nd edition, Thompson, Australia.