MG409

Commercialisation,
Corporatisation & Privatisation
COURSE OUTLINE
1. SEMESTER/YEAR: Semester 1, 2024

2. MODE OF DELIVERY/LOCATION: Face-to-Face at Laucala/Blended at all campuses

3. PRE-REQUISITES: B average in Management major or approval from Head of School

4. COURSE CO-ORDINATOR: Dr. Buriata Tofinga

5. TEACHING TEAM
Name: Dr Buriata Tofinga
Office: Room S202
Phone: 32974
Email: buriata.tofinga@usp.ac.fj
Consultation Hours: Tuesday 11am – 1pm, 3pm – 4pm, and Wednesday 12pm -1pm

6. LECTURE TIMES & VENUE:

Weekly lectures will be held on Thursdays from 6-8pm Fiji time (Room 014-111). For students
enrolled in regional campuses, please note that you will have access to the recorded lectures.
Note that audio files of the lecture recordings (only audio without video) will be extracted
manually once the recordings are made available and will then be uploaded on Moodle. These
audio files require less data and bandwidth than video streaming and recordings and can be
downloaded for offline listening, along with the related slides, allowing you to listen to them
at your convenience.

7. EMERGENCY CONTACT
Name: Susan Tafunai- Mani (Secretary)
Phone: 3232137 Email: susanl.tafunaimani@usp.ac.fj

8. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce the concepts associated with deregulation in the region
with particular emphasis on commercialisation, corporatisation, and privatisation. It will
consider the various steps and options in the privatisation process including commercialisation,
corporatisation, liquidation, divestiture and the eventual privatisation in Fiji and the rest of the
South Pacific region. There are three main phases in this process, the first being
commercialisation, which is concerned with making an organisation or operation more
commercially oriented but still operated under the government structure. The second phase is
corporatisation, which is the creation of a separate entity with its own board of directors and
management structure outside the civil service. The government is the sole or majority
shareholder. Privatisation, the third phase, is the process of selling majority ownership to the
private sector.

MG409 Course Outline – Semester 1, 2024 Page 1

9. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO1 Examine key theories and concepts underpinning commercialization,

corporatization and privatization and critique their relevance to the South Pacific
context;
CLO2 Assess the progress and results of commercialization, corporatization and
privatization in Pacific Island Countries and abroad;
CLO3 Analyze the practices and concepts related to managing public enterprises
following commercialization and corporatization;
CLO4 Synthesise the lessons learned from commercialization, corporatization and
privatization in the region and abroad.

10. PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs)

Students will be able to:

PLO1 Apply management skills in organisations in the private and public sectors.
PLO2 Demonstrate practical skills that are relevant to the private and public sectors
organisations, regionally and/or internationally.
PLO3 Evaluate emerging issues affecting management in private and public industries
in the Global South and Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
PLO4 Discuss the relationship between management in the public and private sectors
organisations and the roles of the different stakeholders.

11. USP GRADUATE OUTCOMES (UGOs)

The USP graduate outcomes are as follows:
UGO1 Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate ideas clearly and
persuasively in structured formats using language and other modes of
communication that are appropriate for context, audience and specific
disciplinary conventions.
UGO2 Creativity: Graduates will extend boundaries of current knowledge in a
particular discipline or profession.
UGO3 Critical thinking and quantitative reasoning: Graduates will be able to evaluate
multiple perspectives and arrive at a reasonable independent judgement based
on evidence.
UGO4 Ethics: Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to high ethical standards in
scholarly, professional and socio-cultural practices.
UGO5 Pacific consciousness: Graduates will recognize the cultural heritage and
diversity of Pacific societies for sustainable development in a contemporary
environment.
UGO6 Professionalism: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to carry out tasks to
acceptable standards within their profession and occupations.
UGO7 Teamwork: Graduates will work together in a respectful and collaborative
manner to complete tasks within teams to achieve an outcome.

MG409 Course Outline – Semester 1, 2024 Page 2

 12. COURSE CONTENT

Week Dates Unit

Unit 1: Foundations and Context of Reforms
1 26 Feb – 1 Mar • Introduction
2 4-8 Mar • The public sector and the role of government
3 11-15 Mar • Traditional public administration (TPA) and New Public
4 18-22 Mar Management (NPM)
• Rationales and environment for commercialisation,
corporatisation and privatization
5 25-29 Mar Assignment 1 Research outline (5%) is due on Friday
6pm, 29th March 2024

Unit 2: Modes, Guidelines, and Implications

6 1-5 Apr • Commercialisation
• Corporatisation
7 8-12 Apr Mid-semester Test (MST) – Date to be confirmed

Mid-semester Break 13 – 21 Apr

8 22-26 Apr • Managing public enterprises + change management &
9 29 Apr- 3 May leadership
10 6-10 May • Privatisation
• Outsourcing & contracting out
11 13-17 May Assignment 3 Research paper (25%) is due on Friday
6pm, 17th May 2024
12 20-24 May • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Unit 3: Wrap-up & Lessons Learned
• What does the evidence show?
13 27-31 May • Pros, cons, opportunities, and challenges
• Factors of success and failure
Study Week 3-8 June
Final Final exam – To be confirmed. Please check with your USP
10-21 June
Exam Campus/Centre for the exact time and date of your exam.

NB: Please note that these are guidelines and that the dates and (the order of the) topics may
change slightly during the semester if deemed relevant. This would be announced and updated
in class and on Moodle were this to be the case.

13. PRESCRIBED TEXT AND OTHER RESOURCES

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. The required readings for each topic will be
posted on Moodle on a weekly basis. You are recommended to make effective use of the library
resources such as journals, online databases, etc.

MG409 Course Outline – Semester 1, 2024 Page 3

14. ALIGNMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENTS

The following table demonstrates the alignment of the course learning outcomes to
appropriate activities and assessments and the links to programme and USP graduate
outcomes.

Associated
Course Learning Outcome Teaching and Assessment Programme USP Graduate
Learning Outcomes Outcomes
Activities
CLO1. Examine the key Lectures and Research Paper PLO 1-4 UGO 1-6
theories underpinning readings
Presentation PLO 1-4 UGO 1-7
commercialization,
corporatization and Mid-semester PLO 1-4 UGO 1, 3, 4, 5
privatization and critique Test (MST) &
their relevance to the South Final Exam
Pacific context

CLO2. Assess the progress Lectures and Outline & PLO 1-4 UGO 1-6
and results of readings Research Paper
commercialization,
Presentation PLO 1-4 UGO 1-7
corporatization and
privatization in Pacific Mid-semester PLO 1-4 UGO 1, 3, 4, 5
Island Countries and abroad Test (MST) &
Final Exam

CLO3. Analyze the practices Lectures and Outline & PLO 1-4 UGO 1-6
and concepts related to readings Research Paper
managing public
Presentation PLO 1-4 UGO 1-7
enterprises following
commercialization and Mid-semester PLO 1-4 UGO 1, 3, 4, 5
corporatization Test (MST) &
Final Exam

CLO4. Synthesise the Lectures and Research Paper PLO 1-4 UGO 1-6
lessons learned from readings
Presentation PLO 1-4 UGO 1-7
commercialization,
corporatization and Mid-semester PLO 1-4 UGO 1, 3, 4, 5
privatization in the region Test (MST) &
and abroad Final Exam

MG409 Course Outline – Semester 1, 2024 Page 4

15.0 ASSESSMENT

15.1 ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO

TYPE OF LEARNING
WEIGHT BRIEF EXPLANATION
ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: 60%
Assignment 1:
5% Preliminary research for case study CLO 2-3
Research Outline
Mid-Semester Test
20% Coverage: Weeks 1-6 CLO 1-4
(MST)
Assignment 2: Oral presentations during class time.
10% CLO 1-4
Presentation Details to be given in class.
Assignment 3: Case study and analysis & links with
Research Paper 25% CLO 1-4
class material, concepts and theories
FINAL EXAMINATION: 40%
Final Exam 40% Coverage: entire course/weeks 1-13 CLO 1-4

NB: Please note that requests for special exams will not be approved for work related reasons.

15.2 PASSING THE UNIT

In order to be pass the course, students must:

• Achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in the course;
• AND obtain a minimum of 40% in coursework/continuous assessment;
• AND obtain a minimum of 40% in the final exam.
• This means that you MUST obtain:
o 1) At least a total of 24/60 marks for your course work AND
o 2) At least a total of 16/40 marks for your final examination AND
o 3) All together at least 50 marks to pass this course.
NB: All three conditions need to be met to pass the course.

16. GRADE DISTRIBUTION

A+ A B+ B C+ C D E
85-100 78-84 71-77 64-70 57-63 50-56 40-49 0-39

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17. ASSESSMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

For detailed regulations, please refer to the USP Handbook and Calendar.

Plagiarism, copying materials from other sources without proper referencing and acknowledge
of the source is a serious offence and will be dealt with severely. In the Regulations Governing
Academic Misconduct section of the USP Handbook & Calendar, plagiarism is defined as “the
copying of another person’s creative work and using it as one’s own – without explicitly giving
credit to the original creator. Work copied without acknowledgement from a book, from
another student’s work, from the internet or from any other source”. If lecturers judge that
plagiarism has occurred, they will report the matter to the Head of School. They can reduce
marks appropriately. If the matter is seen as serious enough, it can be taken to the Student
Disciplinary Committee by the Head of School.

18. IMPORTANT DATES

Activity Week Date (Fiji time) Weight (%)

Assignment 1: Research Outline 5 Friday 6pm, 29th March 5%
Mid-Semester Test (MST) 7 Date to be confirmed 20%
Assignment 2: Presentation TBA Dates to be confirmed 10%
Assignment 3: Research Paper 11 Friday 6pm, 17th May 25%
Final Exam Exam week Date to be confirmed 40%

19. STUDENT SUPPORT

The teaching team deeply cares about your learning and success in this course. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, if you need any
clarifications or if you face any particular difficulty with the course. You can send us a message,
call or request a Zoom meeting: we will do our best to help you out within a reasonable
timeframe. Please bear in mind the high volume of students in our courses, so contact us early
as we may not be able to accommodate requests with tight deadlines. For other additional
matters such as: Medical emergencies and Sickness, Student and Staff Conduct, Academic
Grievances, Student Support & USP Library, go to:
http://www.smpa.fbe.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=16657

19.1. STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT (SLS) SERVICES

The University provides other forms of support through the Student Learning Support (SLS)
section of the Centre for Flexible Learning. SLS provides the necessary academic and study skills
to assist students with their course requirements.

There is a range of services that students can participate in or use free of charge. These services
are tailor-made to help students tackle and manage the requirements of tertiary education at
USP. These services include:

• F2F Drop In Support – Students can meet with an SLS Specialist at respective SLS Hubs

MG409 Course Outline – Semester 1, 2024 Page 6

and staff offices to seek assistance in assignment planning, essay structure, understanding and
selecting relevant study skills, time management, speaking and reading skills and other related
aspects. The initial meeting or contact should occur at least 3 weeks prior to the assignment
due date. Students may email respective SLS staff for a mutually agreeable meeting time.
• Online Drop In Support – Assistance as above, but facilitated via the SLS Moodle page
(discussion forum and live chat) and the SLS generic email.
• Online Peer Mentoring Support (for selected courses only) – Students can join as
mentees in this programme where high achieving senior students facilitate weekly group
activities through which students are guided on study tips, problem solving, and assessment
preparation.
• Academic Skills Workshops – Students are strongly encouraged to access and attempt
a variety of self-paced workshops via the SLS Moodle page. These will be availed 24/7 and will
include full notes and activities for each topic. Some relevant topics include time management,
critical reading and writing skills, avoiding plagiarism, and more.
• English Language Support and Numeracy Support – Students have the opportunity to
connect with dedicated staff/ teams in these respective skill areas via F2F and/or online
arrangements.

SLS Specialist Email Phone Location

Joycelyn Devi joycelyn.devi@usp.ac.fj 3231906 Room 032
FBE Building
Laucala Campus
Pauline Ryland pauline.ryland@usp.ac.fj 3232146 Room 015
CELT Building
Laucala Campus

Other points of contact include:

• SLS generic email: learning.support@usp.ac.fj

• SLS Moodle page: https://elearn.usp.ac.fj/course/view.php?id=3378
• CFL SLS webpage: https://www.usp.ac.fj/centre-for-flexible-learning/our-
services/student-learning-support/

20. ONLINE HELP & e-Learning INFORMATION

Moodle (Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a free, open-source
learning management system that is built to create more effective learning and teaching online
experiences. If you run into problems in relation to using Moodle, please contact the Moodle
Helpdesk at moodlehelp@usp.ac.fj.

Announcements and extra information will be posted on Moodle and it is the responsibility of
the students to access Moodle on a regular basis every week. Being unaware of Moodle
annoucements is not a valid excuse at USP.

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 21. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

21.1 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to:

• Attend all lectures or listen to/watch the recordings.
• Read assigned chapters and texts and go through all provided course materials.
• Attend/participate in team meetings.
• Manage your time to keep up with deadlines.
• Spend enough time on Moodle and other activities required in the course.
• Provide the course coordinator with proof that the student was sick and unable to
complete assessments at the earliest possible time to avoid getting a zero mark for
the missed assessment(s).

22. COURSE POLICY

• Academic Misconduct & Penalties for Academic Misconduct (Refer to USP Calendar p.459-
462) or click on: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.usp.ac.fj/2014calendar
• Mandatory use of Turnitin – plagiarism detection software (Refer to USP Calendar p.461)
or click on: http://www.smpa.fbe.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=16656
• Late Assignments - Late assignments will be penalized: 10% will be deducted for each day.
Refer to http://www.smpa.fbe.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=16656
• For other additional matters such as: Medical emergencies and Sickness, Student and
Staff Conduct, Academic Grievances, Student Support & USP Library Click on:
http://www.smpa.fbe.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=16657
• How to log in to Moodle click: http://www.smpa.fbe.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=16653

23. STUDENT WORKLOAD

TYPE Hours Comments

Lectures, Readings,
Discussions, Activities
Assignments, presentation &
final exam
TOTAL
120 This course has weekly lectures, as well as readings,
activities and videos, which students are expected to
attend and draw on in assessments.
80 Research, analysis, revision, preparation, and write-
ups. + group/team meetings
200 As per USP policy, all undergraduate courses are
designed with the expectation of student workload
being 200 hours per course.

(This Course Outline has been prepared by Dr Buriata Tofinga, School of Business and
Management, University of the South Pacific. It is adapted from Dr Christian Girard’s (2022)
Course Outline for MG409: Commercialisation, Corporatisation & Privatisation, The University of
the South Pacific, Fiji).

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