International Business MBG774
- Subject Code :
MBG774
MBG774 International Business Assignment
Case Study on the Internationalisation of Ecokit Australia into China
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Note: 1)The case is based on publicly available information. The internationalization of Ecokit Australia into China is only hypothetical/and fictitious scenario, so it does not represent what the company is planning to do. 2)You are to search and read publicly available information on this case company for the purpose of your assignment. So, we would request youDONOTcontact the company directly, as there is no need to do so. There should be lots of available information. Please ask your UpGrad teaching assistant should you have any questions, and they can forward the questions to Deakin Faculty. |
Ecokit Australia, is a company that is changing the way we design and build our houses houses, pioneering in the modular and prefabricated construction industry. Founded in 2015, Ecokit is renowned for their innovative, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient homes. Their distinctive construction system involves a streamlined and enjoyable design process, off-site precise component manufacturing, and fast on-site assembly, providing healthy, comfortable homes that enrich our lives. The unique attraction is Ecokit homes are designed to meet individual preferences with sustainability in mind, they are also robust and can potentially achieve the new Passive House certification (a design and construction standard, that focus on reducing building energy use and carbon emissions, while also paying attention to human comfort and health for energy efficiency), comfort and sustainability (Ecokit, 2025).
Ecokit was born out of a frustration with the status quo. It started in 2015 as an idea for a simple, compact structure that would be comfortable, well insulated and built out of non toxic materials. It was not a commercial venue at that point either, only a one off design for our founder, Camilla.
The concept of a small DIY eco house was born as an alternative solution to dwellings that could be easily built by an inexperienced owner builder and on a much lower budget than the standard Australian home.
A few criteria were paramount during the planning & design phase: The simplicity of the build, the materials and the affordability. Another focus was on the functionality and how the house was to adapt to different stages of the occupants life
The first ecokit house went finally into production in early 2018. We are excited by, and proud of, what we have achieved and keen on providing an affordable, accessible, organic home that connects the concept of comfort and coziness with the functionality of a modern, ecological, elegant home for people who need it. (Ecokit, About, 2025).
Ecokit home in a box can be delivered like furniture in a flat pack, that can be assembled potentially at any chosen location by anyone with or without building experience, and not requiring major machinery, in as little as four days or longer.
In 2025, Ecokit has expanded beyond Australia, it has projects in the USA and Europe and is exploring other international opportunities. Nonetheless, Ecokit continues to commit to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, and as always revolutionizing the way homes are built.
For the purpose of this assignment, we want you to take the position that Ecokit Australia believesChina would be an interesting market to consider for foreign expansion. After all, China is Australias largest trading partner.
In 2023, China bought $219 billion of Australian exports, worth 32.5 percent of Australia's total exports to the world; China is our top overseas market for agriculture, resources and services. Chinese investment in Australia reached almost $88 billion by the end of 2023.(DFAT, 2025).
Ecokit Australia is looking for innovative ideas to enter and manage in the Chinese market given its economic importance to Australia and its potential for meeting the demands of the other Asian markets, in face of the growing global demands of sustainable housing.
You belong to an International Business Management Consultancy firm that specialises in providing internationalbusinessdevelopmentservicestocompanieswishingtoexpandtoforeignmarkets.Youhave been engaged by Ecokit Australia, to firstly analyse the Chinese country profile/market environment from the perspective of Ecokit Australia (Assessment 1 for course 1), and then develop a strategy & entry mode plan for Ecokit Australia (Assessment 2 for course 2) into China.You have been engaged as consultants to advise Ecokit Australia, on how it could best venture into China.
References
Ecokit Australia (2025) About. [Online]. Available athttps://ecokit.com.au/about/Accessed 10 January 2025.
Ecokit Australia (2025) - [Online]. Available athttps://ecokit.com.au/Accessed 10 January 2025.
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2025) Doing business with China [Online]. Available athttps://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/in-force/chafta/doing-business-with-china/doing-business-with-china#:~:text=China is Australia's largest trading,central to Australia's future prosperity. Accessed 10 January 2025.
Passive House Certification (2025) [Online]. Available athttps://passivehouse.ca/certification/. Accessed 10 January 2025.
What is Passive House? (2025) [Online]. Available athttps://passivehousenetwork.org/what-is-passive-house/. Accessed 10 January 2025.
