International Business Report

Learning Outcomes tested (from module descriptor)	Assessment Criteria
On completion of this unit you should be able to: 1       Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding ·       Of the theories, concepts and contexts which frame the international institutional trade and multi-national investment environment including political, economic, social, technological and environmental factors.	·         Demonstrate knowledge of relevant theories, concepts, tools and frameworks that underpin the process of analysing the selected foreign market prior to deciding the appropriate entry and internationalisation strategies.
2       Demonstrate the following skills and abilities ·       Analyse and critically evaluate the modes of engagement, key decision and strategy frameworks applied within international markets and the interconnectedness between these and the economic, legal, governmental, political, regulatory, cultural and other environments in which international companies operate.	·         A critical analysis of the host country conditions to evaluate the impacts towards the selected scenario and to take relevant management decisions about the modes of engagement to successfully exploit the available opportunities and to mitigate any potential risks.

TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT

This assessment component has a weighting of 100% of the total marks for this module.

It should be submitted in report format in accordance with the specifieddeadlines.

BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

Select an existing company of your choice from your own country, which has the potential to take its products or services to the international market. You must select a specific host county which this company is not dealing with at the moment.

You have been hired as a consultant to help this company develop an International business strategy for the selected host country. 

Your report must cover the following:-

Tasks

1. Provide a brief overview of the chosen organisation and its product (s) or service (s) for internationalisation.
2. Critically evaluate the impacts the host country conditions covering the macro environment factors and its national competiveness.
3. Analyse the host county’s culture and its impact on the internationalisation process of the company.
4. Recommend the most appropriate entry strategy and the internationalisation strategy for this company in its internationalisation process. Justify your recommendations with critical reasoning.

LENGTH REQUIRED

2000words (+ or- 10%).  Any deviation from this will be penalised.

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Length: 2000 words (+ or - 10%). Any deviation from this leads to marks penalization.
4. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12, line spacing 1.5 and pages numbered.
5. Document format: Report (Do not use essay format).
6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet.
7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
8. Citation and Referencing: All the used sources must be cited and given in the reference list. 

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information.All citations and referencing should be in Harvard style.

marking criteria

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.

Assessment Criteria for the assignment
(1)   Research-Informed Literature (20%)
Use ofrelevant and credible sources ofliterature and evidence sources; the concepts and frameworks of international business related to foreign market analysis; choice of mode of entry and related management interventionsfrom a range of academic sources.
(2)   Knowledge and Understanding of Subject (20%)
The level of demonstration of knowledge; the grasp of these concepts/theories or models and their use in relation to the scenario under discussion and the foreign market selected.
(3)   Analysis (20%)
A critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of the relevant concepts/frameworks of international business to the case study and foreign market selected.
(4)   Practical Application and Deployment (25%)
Critical application of the relevant tools; frameworks and international business strategies to provide solutions to the potential challenges or take advantage of available  opportunities for the scenario selected.
(5)   Skills for Professional Practice (15%)
Inclusion of citations and reference list adhering to Harvard system.  Following proper report structure in accordance with the given guidelines and within the stipulated word count limits.

GUIDANCE FOR Students IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria overleaf and specifically aligned to the “exceptional” outcome category to which we anticipate students aspire.

1.      Research-informed Literature

Your work must embed and be informed and supported by relevant and credible scholarly material that is accessible in the learned journals listed on the module schedule.  You should refer to at least 25 such sources.  Additionally, you should refer to text books, current news items and benchmark your organisation against other organisations to ensure your assignment is current and up-to-date.  High-level referencing skills using the Harvard Method must be demonstrated throughout your work and all sources listed alphabetically within your bibliography. 

2.      Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area.  This means that within your work, you should provide evidence of your growing mastery in critical awareness of current challenges, new insights and the constant need for innovation within the field.  Furthermore, a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge and even understanding, should be considered and examples of such, illustrated within your work. 

3.      Analysis

To be considered masters worthy, your work must contain evidence of analysis, evaluation and synthesis.  This means not just describing “What!” but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? And at what cost!  At all times, you must provide justification of your arguments and judgements.  Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others on matters occurring in the real world of business is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work.  Your choice of methodologies to gather data and information must be rigorously defended.  Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments in the absence of complete data, since within the real world of work, we rarely have access to, or know all the information!  Persuasive conclusions are especially necessary and must be derived from the content of your work – there should be no new information presented within your conclusion.  Your work should aspire to resemble work which is of journal publishable quality.

4.      Practical Application and Deployment

It is essential that you rationalise how you decided upon certain methods, materials, tools and techniques to inform and complete your work.  You must demonstrate what informed your decision(s) to apply certain concepts that enabled you to formulate innovative and creative solutions to the challenges presented to you or that you identified for yourself.  Plausible, costed and justifiable recommendations are demanded and where these are absent, your work is undermined.  Your work should provide evidence that you are growing in mastery in developing cutting edge processes and techniques within the subject area. 

5.      Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of your attributes in the application of professional practice.  This includes demonstrating that you are highly capable of individual and collaborative working.  Regarding the presentation of your work, you must demonstrate your ability to select and deploy the appropriate media that is “fit for purpose. Additionally, you must exhibit your ability to: communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism; work professionally, autonomously and within a team; develop leadership skills; and produce/present work that is coherent, cogent and specifically addresses the challenges set for you or you have set yourself. Importantly, your work should be easily understood by specialists and non-specialists in the field.