ASSESSMENT BRIEF

BUS9005 Economics for International Business

Assessment 2

Assessment Description	Microeconomics Report
Individual/Group	Individual
Length	1,500 words
Subject Learning Outcomes	a, b, c, d
Week Due	Week 9
Weighting	30%
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)	Not allowed

 Overview of the Assessment Task

In this individual assessment, you are required to apply microeconomic theories and concepts to analyse the market in which a selected Australian company operates. This report will assess your ability to critically evaluate how market forces, market structures, and market failures influence business strategy and public policy.

You will select one Australian company (from any industry such as retail, transport, technology, mining, finance, etc.) and examine:

• The supply and demand conditions shaping the company’s market
• The market structure and its implications for business strategy
• Any relevant market failure(s) and how public policy addresses them.

This task encourages you to link theory to real-world Australian business conditions, showcasing your ability to think critically and apply economic reasoning to practical business challenges.

 

Assessment Instructions

Choose one Australian company operating in a specific industry (e.g., retail, banking, transport, energy, technology) and prepare a 1500-word analytical report addressing the following:

Part A: Company and Market Context (Approx. 300 words)

• Describe your chosen company and its main products or services, main customers and competitors
• Provide at least one piece of evidence from your selected company (e.g., screenshot or link to annual report, product page, or media release).

Part B: Market Dynamics (Approx. 400 words)

• Select one specific product or service supplied by your chosen company.
• Identify three factors that determine demand and three factors that determine supply for this product/service.
• Discuss how changes in these factors influence demand and supply. Use demand and supply curves to illustrate the effects (hand-drawn, digital, or spreadsheet graphs are acceptable).
• Provide at least one piece of evidence from your selected company, or credible market sources. (e.g., screenshot or link to annual report, product page, or media release).

Part C: Market Structure and Strategy (Approx. 400 words)

• Identify and justify the market structure in which your company operates (perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, or monopoly).
• Clearly provide three reasons supporting your classification (e.g., number of competitors, product differentiation, barriers to entry, pricing power).
• Explain how this market structure influences the company’s strategic decisions such as pricing, innovation, or advertising.
• Provide at least one piece of evidence from your selected company, or credible market sources. (e.g., screenshot or link to annual report, product page, or media release).

Part D: Market Failure and Policy Response (Approx. 400 words)

• Identify a relevant market failure affecting your chosen company or industry (e.g., pollution, information asymmetry, under-provision of public goods).
• Analyse how this failure impacts the company, consumers, or society.
• Evaluate an Australian government policy or regulation addressing this issue and discuss whether it effectively corrects the problem.
• Provide at least one piece of evidence to support your answer (e.g., screenshot or link to annual report, product page, or media release).

 

Assessment Stages and Mark Allocation

Stage	Description	Week Due	Marks
Checkpoint 1 Company Selection and Rationale	Select one Australian company and post your choice in the Discussion Forum. Only three students may select the same company. Provide a short justification (100–150 words) explaining why you chose this company.	Week 4	3 marks
Checkpoint 2 Draft Submission	Submit a short draft (approximately 400–500 words) showing your progress. This should include early sections (Part A and B) with some initial data or graphs. The draft should demonstrate genuine progress and understanding, not a complete report.	Week 8	2 marks
Final Report Submission	Submit your completed 1,500-word report addressing Parts A–D.	Week 9	25 marks

 

Other Instructions

• Structure of the report – Introduction, answers to part A-D, summary/conclusion, reference list.
• Reference list is not part of the word count.
• Submission format- word document. All submissions via Turnitin on Canvas.

This assessment should incorporate APA 7th referencing style. For support on how to reference see the AIHE Learning Support Hub on canvas for further information.

Use of GenAI is not allowed:

In this assessment, the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is not permitted. These tools include content generators, data analysis tools, and other AI-assisted technologies. Students must ensure that their work is solely their own. Any submission that includes content created by unauthorised use of artificial intelligence tools is a breach of academic integrity.

 

Marking Criteria

Please refer to the attached rubric for marking criteria and standards of performance. Constructive feedback will be provided within a timely manner in accordance with AIHE Assessment Procedure.

This assessment is not redeemable unless otherwise specified.

 

Limits for Assessments

Written submissions that exceed the word limit by more than 10% will cease to be marked from the point at which that limit is exceeded.

Time limits for in-person or video presentations that exceed the allocated time limit by more than 10% will cease to be marked from the point at which that limit is exceeded, and Lecturers may ask students to cease their presentation.

 

Assessment Variation and Special Consideration

Students may be eligible for a variation to assessment arrangements when unexpected or extenuating circumstances impact on their performance or their ability to complete their assessment tasks by or on the specified date. Students must complete the Application to Vary Assessment with evidence.

Students with identified, special or specific needs may apply for variations to assessment in the subject. Students are required to contact the Student Support Officer or Student Learning Advisor to discuss their specific needs.

 

Late Assignment Submission Penalties

An assessment task is late for submission when it is not submitted by the due date and time as indicated on Canvas, or by an agreed extension date and time as confirmed by the subject lecturer.

Late assessment tasks will be penalised at the rate of 5% of maximum possible marks, per calendar day (i.e. 24 hours or part thereof). After seven (7) calendar days, assignments will attract zero (0) marks. Assignments submitted at any stage within the first 24 hours after the deadline will be considered to be one day late and therefore subject to the associated penalty. For further detail see: AIHE Assessment Procedure.

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is an essential quality for higher education and is a fundamental part of learning and teaching. AIHE is committed to promoting academic integrity and ethical behaviour. The reputation of AIHE and its graduates, and the academic standing of its qualifications rests with its ability to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct fairly and consistently.

All students must become familiar with, and understand the meaning and consequences of plagiarism, cheating in exams and tests, unauthorised use of artificial intelligence, collusion, contract cheating and other academic offences under the AIHE Academic Integrity Policy.

 

Marking Rubric & Standards of Performance

Individual Report (Microeconomics)

 

Criteria	High Distinction (85-100%)	Distinction (75-84%)	Credit (65-74%)	Pass (50-64%)	Fail (0-49%)
Checkpoint 1: Company Selection & Rationale (3 marks)	Company selection is unique, highly relevant, and well-justified with clear reasoning and evidence of initiative.	Company clearly justified; sound rationale provided.	Relevant company chosen with basic justification.	Company approved but weak or unclear justification.	No submission, late post, or unjustified choice.
Checkpoint 2: Draft Progress Submission (2 marks)	Clear and significant progress. Demonstrates strong understanding of theory and use of evidence.	Good progress and partial analysis shown.	Some progress is evident but uneven or limited.	Minimal progress lacks meaningful development.	No or superficial draft submitted.
Part A: Company & Market Context (5 marks)	Provides an accurate, concise, and insightful overview of the company, its main products/services, customers, and competitors. Includes at least one relevant, verified piece of evidence (e.g. screenshot or link).	Clear description of company and context; mostly accurate evidence used effectively.	Reasonable description; minor gaps or limited evidence.	Basic or partially correct overview; minimal or unclear evidence.	Inaccurate or incomplete company description; no supporting evidence.
Part B – Market Dynamics (6 marks)	Thorough and well-structured analysis of three demand and three supply factors. Clearly explains how changes influence the market using accurate, labelled graphs. Integrates credible evidence from company or market sources.	Good explanation of demand and supply factors with mostly clear diagrams and evidence.	Adequate analysis, some theory applied; graphs or evidence limited or partly inaccurate.	Basic or uneven discussion of factors; weak theoretical links or unclear graphs.	Incorrect or missing discussion; lacks theoretical understanding or evidence.
Part C – Market Structure and Strategy (7 marks)	Market structure precisely identified and convincingly justified with three strong reasons (number of competitors, differentiation, barriers, pricing power). Insightful analysis of strategic implications (pricing, innovation, advertising). Uses relevant and verified evidence.	Accurate classification and justification with good discussion of strategy; sound evidence.	Reasonable identification and partial justification; some reference to strategy and evidence.	Limited or partially correct identification; weak justification or minimal strategic link.	Incorrect or missing classification; no clear reasoning or evidence.
Part D – Market Failure and Policy Response (5 marks)	Clearly identify the relevant market failure(s). Provides critical analysis of impact on company, consumers and society; evaluates policy response with insight and credible evidence.	Good analysis of market failure and policy with relevant examples.	Adequate discussion; mainly descriptive with some evaluation.	Basic or generalised description; limited policy discussion.	Inaccurate or missing discussion; no link to evidence or policy.
Academic Writing, Referencing & Integrity (2 marks)	Excellent organisation, academic tone, and accurate referencing (APA 7); fully demonstrates originality and integrity.	Clear writing and mostly correct referencing; good evidence of authenticity.	Satisfactory writing. Some referencing or clarity issues.	Weak structure or referencing. Limited demonstration of own work.	Poorly written or referenced. Potential academic integrity concerns.