This assessment item is Part 2 of your International Business Report and focuses on Topics 7 to 12 of this unit.
Having now completed a major analysis of the environment in which your business will operate you will need to prepare Part 2 of your International Business Report which will offer strategy recommendations to your organisation. Your assessment will again be in report format and should cover the following:
Executive Summary (a 2 page (maximum) summary of key findings, strategies and outcomes).
Introduction to the report.
Brief background to company and selected international country: ie brief approx 2 page synopsis of Assessment 1 (Topics 1-6 as well).
Additional analysis reflecting your further country analysis (Topic 7)
Recommendation for entry mode and multinational structure/competitive strategy with
justification (Topics 8 and 9)
Marketing and R&D considerations (Topic 10)
Recommendations regarding production (Topic 11)
International HRM issues and considerations (Topic 12)
Conclusion
References in APA format
Note that you need to ensure that you refer to the theories covered in the Topics 7 to 12 within your report demonstrating your understanding of these theories and concepts and their application to international business. As with the first part of this Task, you are expected to find sources beyond your textbook to strengthen your arguments.
Rationale
The aims of the assignment are:
• to provide you with an opportunity to apply the theoretical ideas and models you have studied to a real organisation;
• demonstrate the application of the knowledge gained in the first six (6) topics to the development of strategies and marketing decisions in an international market (Topics 7-10);
• allow you to develop your information searching and critical thinking skills; and
• provide you with further experience in academic writing.
It addresses the following learning objectives for this subject:
• be able to identify general and specific issues as well as new trends facing managers of international business operations, and design strategies to respond to these issues;
• be able to research and evaluate the attractiveness and viability of conducting business in specific locations around the globe;
• be able to research and recommend appropriate strategies for the form, location and operational strategies of an international firm.
Marking criteria
The marking criteria for this assessment is as follows:
CRITERION Fail (N) /0-49 Poor/unacceptable/Not attempted/requires further development/needs improvement Pass (P)/ 50-59
Acceptable/Satisfactory/Proficient Credit (C)/60-69
Good/Well done Distinction (D)/ 70-79
Very good/ exceeds expectations High Distinction (HD)/80-100
Excellent/exemplary/exceeding high standard
1 – Executive Summary
(10 marks) The executive summary was missing or poorly constructed e.g. it acted as a table of contents or introduction outlining what the report contained rather than summarising the key findings.
Summarised some key findings but still reads more like an introduction than an Executive Summary (i.e. “the report will cover …” rather than “the report found that…. )
ES provides a summary of most of the key findings in the report. Some discussion of implications included.
A good summary of the key findings in the report was provided. The report provides an informed discussion of the implications of these findings in terms of risks and opportunities. Provided a concise yetcomprehensive summary of the findings of the report. Findings for all important factors were provided in the summary. Discussion of implication demonstrates strong understanding of macro environmental risks and opportunities.
2 – Introduction – covering scope of report and summary of key macro issues arising from previous report.
(10 marks) The introduction did not highlight the scope of the report. Summary of key macro issues missing or poorly constructed.
Scope of the report outlined. Key macro areas identified but not well defined and implications not addressed or addressed superficially.
Scope of the report outlined clearly. Information on key macro issues clearly identified and implications identified. Clear links between previous report and current report. Scope of the report clearly articulated. Information on key macro issues clearly identified and implications discussed. Clear links between previous report and current report. Scope of the report clearly articulated. Information on key macro issues concisely and clearly identified. Discussion shows expert ability to synthesize information to present a clear exposition of knowledge. Clear links between previous report and current report.
3 – Strategy recommendations & justification for entry mode, multinational structure/competitive strategy
(25 marks) Recommended strategies missing or not supported by findings from macro environment and firm situation. Recommended strategies are reasonable and generally supported by findings from macro environment and firm situation. Suggested entry mode, corporate, business and competitive strategies are appropriate and justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources. Suggested entry mode, corporate and business strategies are appropriate and justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources. Competitive strategy takes into consideration cultural findings, firm capabilities and wider macros issues. Suggested entry mode, corporate and business strategies are appropriate and well justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources. All recommendations take nto consideration cultural findings, firm capabilities and wider macros issues. Discussion shows expert ability to synthesize information to present a clear exposition of knowledge.
4– Strategy recommendations & justification for Marketing, R&D, Production, & International HRM
(30 marks) Recommended strategies missing or not supported by findings from macro environment and firm situation. Recommended strategies are reasonable and generally supported by findings from macro environment and firm situation. Suggested marketing, production and HR strategies are appropriate and justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources. Suggested marketing, production and HR strategies are appropriate and justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources and take into consideration cultural findings, firm capabilities and wider macros issues. Suggested marketing, production and HR strategies are appropriate and well justified in relation to macro environment, company size, strategy and resources. Strategies also take into consideration cultural findings, firm strategy and wider macros issues. Discussion shows expert ability to synthesize information to present a clear exposition of knowledge.
5 –Structure, organisation, presentation and grammar
(10 marks) The report was unprofessional, unclear and not well structured. Table of contents, headings, page numbers etc were missing or inconsistent.
Meaning unclear and/or grammar and/or spelling contained frequent errors. The report was neat and well structured. Presentation mostly follows guidelines ie 1.5 spacing, page numbers, easy to read font. Reference list on separate page. Some minor issues.
Meaning apparent but language not always fluent. Some spelling and grammatical errors The report was neat and well structured. Presentation follows guidelines ie 1.5 spacing, page numbers, easy to read font. Reference list on separate page
Language mainly fluent. Grammar and spelling mainly accurate. Organisation and presentation was of report was of a professional, standard. Presentation follows guidelines.
Fluent writing style. Grammar and spelling accurate. Organisation and presentation was of an excellent standard. Presentation follows guidelines.
Fluent writing style. Grammar and spelling accurate.
5. Research and referencing
(15 marks) Referencing needed improvement. Sources were uncited / poorly cited / demonstrated little attempt to comply with APA system.
Reliance on few and/or poor quality sources. There was likely a reliance on one source of literature. Referencing was of a satisfactory standard with consistent and sustained acknowledgement of sources of information and data throughout report. Shows clear attempt to follow APA method of referencing. Some errors evident e.g. page numbers missing from direct quotations or errors in referencing websites. Overall references were presented reasonably clearly in the reference list, using a consistent format (not missing many references).
Used a variety of authentic information sources. Consistent and sustained acknowledgement of sources of information and data throughout report. Most citations follow APA method of referencing with few errors. These references were presented reasonably clearly in the reference list, using a consistent format (not missing many references).
Used a variety of authentic information sources with majority being current. Consistent and sustained acknowledgement of sources of information and data throughout report. Referencing was of ahigh standard. Majority of citations in report and references in reference list conform to APA standard.
Used a variety of up to date, authentic and appropriate information sources and texts. Consistent and sustained acknowledgement of sources of information and data throughout report. Excellent referencing with majority of citations correctly adhering to APA method. Comprehensive reference list.
Wide variety of up to date, authentic and appropriate sources used in appropriate context.
Presentation
As is the case with Part 1 of this Major Assignment, a report format is required, the details of which are contained in an earlier part of this Outline.
Requirements
You must submit your assignment on www.turnitin.com
Students should ensure their report addresses the following:
Key strategies
Is a suitable strategy presented that explains the position that the organisation should try to achieve in the overseas country?
How sensible are the strategies in light of the information gained in Assessment 1?
How reliable or realistic are the strategies? Do they demonstrate sound understanding of international business?
Critical Analysis
Is information gained in Assessment 1 applied when developing strategies?
Is adequate consideration given to macro-economic variables and country specific issues?
Are company and competitor issues evaluated effectively?
Research
Has research from a range of authoritative sources been integrated into your work?
Structure
Is the report developed logically and well-structured? Does the writing flow well?
Writing style
