MGT2209 Business and Hong Kong Society

Part I

Course Duration:
One Semester
Credit Units:
2
Level:
B2
Medium of Instruction: English

Prerequisites:
Nil
Precursors:
Nil
Equivalent Courses:
Nil
Exclusive Courses:
Nil


Part II


Course Aims:

  • To allow students to explore the historical evolution, and contemporary form, of business organisation in Hong Kong.
  • To develop students’ ability to critically review the issues arising from the interface between business and other social and political institutions in Hong Kong.
  • To develop students’ awareness of the relationships between Hong Kong business and the changing regional and international environment.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.

CILOs

Weighting
(if applicable)

1.

Explain the importance of the complex socio-economic and political inter-relationship between business and society in Hong Kong.

3

2.

Examine and critique business practices and its implications for the various stakeholders.

3

3.

Interpret and evaluate data collected by self or presented by others, and assess the social, economic and political implications of these data.

2

4.

Debate controversial topics related to business operations and its effects on the community, and society’s influences on business practices.

3

5.

Critically analyse the significance of events or a situation from a managerial perspective.

2

Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs)
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)


Total Hours (Group Size): Seminar 26 (40)

CILO No

TLAs

Remarks

Hours/week
(if applicable)

CILO 1,2

Lecture and readings

Equip students with knowledge and information

 

CILO 1,2,3,4,5

Class discussions
(of cases and scenarios)

Students will reflect and critically analyse scenarios and cases, and discuss their views with peers

 

CILO
1,2,3,4,5

Team presentations and debates

Students will practice their research skills and ability to persuasively present their case on a controversial topic

 

Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)


Coursework: 60%
Final Exam: 40% (2 Hours)

CILO No

Type of assessment tasks/activities

Weighting
(if applicable)

Remarks

CILO 1,2,4,5

Class participation

10%

 

CILO
1,2,3,4,5

Team research, presentation and written report of a case

30%

 

CILO 3,4

Inter-team debate

20%

 

CILO 1,2,4,5

Examination

40%

 

Grading of Student Achievement:
Please refer to Appendix A for description and grading of assessment tasks


Part III

Keyword Syllabus:

Business and Social Analysis; classical theories; development of Hong Kong Business; structure of business organisation; trade and industry in Hong Kong; business and political environment; the Hong Kong labour market and employment; business ethics and corporate social responsibility; Hong Kong Business in its Regional and International Contexts; managerial implications.

Appendix A: Description and Grading of Assessment Tasks

As mentioned in Section 4, the assessed activities will consist of class participation; a team presentation and report of a contemporary issue; an inter-team debate; and an examination.

Team Presentation and Written Report (30%)
Each team will make a presentation (maximum 20 mins per team) on either of the following activities:

  1. Case Study” : research and produce details (from at least 3 newspapers and/or journals and/or business periodicals, etc) on one real case related to a Hong Kong business and further discuss it in relation to one concept or issue raised in the class Business and Hong Kong Society, clearly:

a.

Stating the nature and background of the topic/the key problem(s) and organization; 

b.

Identifying the course concepts relevant to the issue/situation, and establishing the thrust of your presentation;

c.

Providing a thorough analysis of the issues, and stating who the  pertinent stakeholders are and how they may be affected;

d.

Suggesting solutions with clear explanations/justifications, or providing an evaluation of the outcome (if it is already known);

e.

Discussing the implications and providing a conclusion.

or

  1. CSR showcase” : compare and contrast the policies and practices towards the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility of two companies within the same industry (one company must be in Hong Kong).  Discuss the business advantages and limitations of such actions or inactions taken by these companies.  If you were part of the management of these two companies, what would you recommend the company to do to consolidate the company’s work and commitment to CSR?

All teams must submit a hardcopy of their Powerpoint Presentation file to me, plus a team written report based on their presented topic.  Written report should not be more than 2000 words in length.  Use 1.5 line spacing, font size 12, double-sided, stapled in top left hand corner.  No plastic folders please.

Inter-team debate (20%)

In each week between Weeks 11-13, two teams will engage in a debate, presenting their views on a topic.  The format will be as follows:

  • Each team will have 10 minutes to state their respective views of the case;
  • There will be 15 minutes for an open debate or critique by the two teams;
  • The discussion will be opened up for 10 minutes to the debating teams and the class to ask further questions or challenge either of the debating teams.

Examination (40%)

Class Participation (10%)

ASSESSING AND GRADING TEAM DEBATE

Marginal
D
1.0

Adequate
C-     
  C    C+
1.7  2.0  2.3

Good
B-    B    B+
2.7  3.0  3.3

Excellent
A-    A    A+
3.7  4.0  4.3

Poorly presented and weakly researched evidence for team’s views on the issue.  Low debating skills, demonstrating inability to handle questions intelligibly and with little or no relevant evidence, and poses weak or inappropriate questions.

Present reasonably clearly, adequately researched evidence for team’s views on the issue.  Demonstrate varying ability to contribute to the debate.  Handle questions in an unpersuasive manner with little supporting evidence, and rarely asks stimulating or appropriate questions.

Present clearly, thoroughly researched evidence for team’s views on the issue.  Demonstrate ability to contribute to good quality debate, by handling questions with convincing and substantive answers, yet stimulate others by asking good questions.

Present with excellent clarity, extensively researched evidence for team’s views on the issue.  Demonstrate ability to maintain high level of debating quality, by effectively handling questions with strong and substantive answers, yet stimulate others by asking relevant and challenging questions.

ASSESSING AND GRADING TEAM PRESENTATION AND REPORT

Category

Marginal
D
1.0

Adequate
C-  C    C+
1.7  2.0  2.3

Good
B-    B    B+
2.7  3.0  3.3

Excellent
A-    A    A+
3.7  4.0  4.3

Background to
Issues

The introduction has poor information value; is not structured or presented well or clearly. 

The introduction is limited in information value; is reasonably structured and quite clearly presented.

The introduction has good information value; is well-structured and clearly presented.

The introduction has very good information value; is very well-structured and presented with absolute clarity.

Analysis
and discussion

Pieces of evidence are relevant, but are isolated, addressing a limited number of issues. Demonstration of understanding of issues in a minimally acceptable way. Poor coverage and weak analysis.

The evidence is relevant and covers a fair number of issues. Demonstrates declarative understanding of a reasonable number of issues. Able to discuss issues meaningfully but with little integration.

The case is well researched, with good coverage of issues.  There is good integration and application of the concepts to the situation, with rigorous analysis of the issues.

The case is extensively researched, with excellent coverage of issues.  There is excellent integration and application of the concepts to the situation, with high degree of rigour and critical analysis of the issues.

Conclusions
and /or
recommendations

Weak arguments for conclusions or recommendations based on theory and practice.

Reasonably argued conclusions or recommendations based on theory and practice.

Strongly argued conclusions or recommendations based on theory and practice.

Very strongly argued conclusions or recommendations based on theory and practice.

Related Links
Department of Management