Global Business

Order Description

You will need to work individually to produce a report on a Multi-National Corporation (MNC) or a Trans-National Corporation (TNC) selected from the list given below, or another that you select and authorised by your tutor.

The report should reflect your research into the company and describe its characteristics. It should contain your analysis of the company’s strategy, especially strategies for international entry into foreign markets, and approaches to global issues. It will also explore what options it may have for future growth in an increasingly competitive, global economy; and one which may also have significant social responsibilities.

You may need wider reading to bring together what it all may mean to the future of your chosen organisation; the cultural challenges presented; the influence of national governments and the IMF etc.
A personal evaluation should be included which has your conclusion relating to the company’s current and future strategy.

Learning Outcomes
1.    The key aspects of globalisation including cross cultural differences, ethical considerations and the effect of globalisation on economies.

2.    The characteristics of a multinational corporation and their methods for corporate growth.

3.    Evaluate the advantages and problems that globalisation has brought sections of the world.

4.    Critically evaluate the power of national governments and the IMF in managing MNC behaviour.

Assignment 2 (Assesses 50% of the module)

You will need to work individually to produce a report on a Multi-National Corporation (MNC) or a Trans-National Corporation (TNC) selected from the list given below, or another that you select and authorised by your tutor.

The report should reflect your research into the company and describe its characteristics. It should contain your analysis of the company’s strategy, especially strategies for international entry into foreign markets, and approaches to global issues. It will also explore what options it may have for future growth in an increasingly competitive, global economy; and one which may also have significant social responsibilities.

You may need wider reading to bring together what it all may mean to the future of your chosen organisation; the cultural challenges presented; the influence of national governments and the IMF etc.
A personal evaluation should be included which has your conclusion relating to the company’s current and future strategy.
(2000 words +- 10%).

It is important that your sources are Harvard referenced properly.

Suggested multi-national organisations:

1.     Marks and Spencer
2.     Ford motor company
3.     Ikea
4.     Subway
5.     L’Oréal
6.     Nestle
7.     Royal Dutch Shell
8.     Siemens
9.     Proctor and Gamble
10.     Total SA

•    Assignment must be submitted online by the date of submission.

•    Students with extenuating circumstances seeking an extension should speak to their college tutor in the first instance.
Module Code:_______________________________        Lecturer:________________________________          Student: ________________________________________

REPORT    Presentation & structure     Use & presentation of Harvard Referencing    Content    Discussion /Analysis /Critical evaluation    Discussion /Analysis /Critical evaluation &/or Reflection
Task details

Follows report structure & keeps to word limit 2000 words +-10%

Follows Harvard style for in-text citation & Reference List
Use a minimum of 10 different reliable sources      Includes your research into the company and describes its characteristics.
Explores the options it may have for future growth in an increasingly competitive, global economy; discusses social responsibilities.
Contains an analysis of the company’s strategy and approach to global issues. Evaluates the cultural challenges presented; the influence of national governments and the IMF.
A personal evaluation relating to the company’s current and future strategy.    Clear evidence of research and a comprehensive statement about the impact of any government or NGO support in the development of its international strategies
/marks    /10 marks    /15 Marks    /30 Marks    /35 Marks    /10 Marks
80-100

Outstanding    Outstanding…  Presentation & report structure, with numbered paragraphs, list of contents/figures &appendices.
Articulate & fluent academic writing style with ideas cross referenced. No grammatical / spelling errors.    Outstanding… Standard of referencing within text & consistent use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full details shown in Reference list.
Outstanding… Exploration of topic showing excellent knowledge & understanding through thorough & appropriate research.
Impressive choice and range of appropriate content.
Outstanding… Business insight & application.
Breadth, depth & integration of literature/data into work.
Outstanding…  Level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection.
Highly developed/ focused work.
70-79

Excellent    Excellent … Presentation & report structure, with numbered paragraphs, list of contents/figures, appendices & cross referencing.
Articulate & fluent academic writing style. Only a minor error.    Excellent… Standard of referencing within text & consistent use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full details shown in Reference list.    Excellent … Level of knowledge & understanding demonstrated.
Evidence of appropriate reading.
Covers all relevant points & issues.    Excellent … Business insight & application.
Breadth, depth & integration of literature/data into work.
Excellent…  Level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection clearly developing points in the appropriate way with thorough consideration of all possibilities.

60-69

Very Good    Very good…  Presentation & report structure, paragraphing, use of numbering, list of contents/figures, appendices & cross referencing.
Fluent academic writing style.
Very few grammatical errors & spelling mistakes.    Very good…  Standard of referencing within text & consistent use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full details shown in Reference list.    Very good… Level of knowledge & understanding demonstrated.
Covers most relevant points & issues.
Few errors / omissions in content/calculations.    Very good…  Business insight & application.
Breadth, depth & integration of literature/data into work.
Very good…  Level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection & a few ideas/points could benefit from further development &/or evaluation/comparison.
50-59

Good    Good…  Clear presentation & report structure, use of numbering & appendices.
Writing is mainly clear but some spelling &/ or grammatical errors.    Good…  Standard of referencing within text & consistent use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full details shown in Reference list.    Good… Grasp of the topic & some of its implications presented.
Knowledge & understanding is demonstrated.
Minor errors / omissions in content/ calculations.    Good… Business insight & application.
Breadth, depth & integration of literature/data into work.     Good… Level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection but more ideas/points could be addressed /developed further.
40-49

Satisfactory    Satisfactory… Basic report structure.
Not always written clearly & has grammatical & / or spelling errors.    Satisfactory… Basic referencing within text & consistent use of Harvard referencing system.
Accuracy of in-text references & full details shown in Reference list.    Satisfactory… Content / level of knowledge of the topic.  Addresses part of the task. Some errors / omissions in content/ calculations. May benefit from further research.    Satisfactory… Business insight & application. Limited integration with literature/ data.
Use of literature/data but limited in breadth OR depth.    Satisfactory… Basic evidence of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection but some points superficially made so need further development.
30-39

Marginal Fail    Weak… Report format, limited or poor structure.
Muddled work with many spelling & / or grammatical errors.    Weak…Use of Harvard referencing system with errors & inconsistently applied. Limited referencing within the text. Limited accuracy of in-text references compared to those in the final Reference list.     Weak… Limited content / knowledge/ calculations. Limited or muddled understanding of the topic/question.
Does not meet all the learning outcomes.    Weak… Unsatisfactory evidence of business application & insight
Work needs to show better links between practical application and theory.
Weak… Limited evidence of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation &/or reflection.
More development & comment needed. May need to do more than describe.
15 – 29

Clear Fail    Inadequate… Report format and poor paragraphing / signposting.
Inappropriate writing style
Poorly written &/or poor spelling & grammar.
Inadequate…  Use of Harvard referencing with many errors &/or inconsistencies.

Inadequate… Lacking in relevant content/ knowledge/calculations. Content irrelevant / inaccurate. Does not meet all the learning outcomes.    Inadequate… Lacks evidence of business application & insight. Some literature irrelevant to topic.    Inadequate… Lacking / inadequate level of discussion/ analysis/critical evaluation & /or reflection. Descriptive.

1 – 14

Little or Nothing of merit    Nothing of merit…  Poorly written work, lacking structure, paragraphing / signposting.
Many inaccuracies in spelling & grammar.
Must see ASU/ Tutor    Nothing of merit… No or little attempt to use the recommended Harvard referencing system.

Must see ASU/ Tutor    Nothing of merit…  Unsatisfactory level of knowledge demonstrated.
Content used irrelevant / not appropriate/ to the topic. Does not meet the learning outcomes.    Nothing of merit…  No evidence of appropriate business application & insight.
Nothing of merit…  Unsatisfactory level of discussion/analysis/critical evaluation &/or reflection

Must see ASU/ Tutor
Academic Skills Unit (ASU). This form is used by staff & students to provide feedback to assist students’ future work.

Global Business

Individual Essay
Question:Why do governments protect their domestic firms? Describe the main reasons for trade protection and assess whether any of these enhance economic welfare.

See the Extended Reading List for relevant references, and also consult the following:
Brewer, T. L. (1993). Government policies, market imperfections, and foreign direct investment. Journal of International Business Studies, 24(1): 101-120.

Dunning, J. H. (1988). The eclectic paradigm of international production: a restatement and some possible extensions. Journal of International Business Studies, 19(1): 1-31.

Hill, C.W.L. (2013). International business: competing in the global marketplace. Ninth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Chapters 6 & 7.

Krugman, P. R. (1987). Is free trade passé?. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1(2): 131-144.

Lenway, S. A., & Murtha, T. P. (1994). The state as strategist in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(3): 513-535.

Porter, M. E. (1990). The competitive advantage of nations. Harvard Business Review, 68(2): 73-93.

Global Business

Individual Essay
Question:Why do governments protect their domestic firms? Describe the main reasons for trade protection and assess whether any of these enhance economic welfare.

See the Extended Reading List for relevant references, and also consult the following:
Brewer, T. L. (1993). Government policies, market imperfections, and foreign direct investment. Journal of International Business Studies, 24(1): 101-120.

Dunning, J. H. (1988). The eclectic paradigm of international production: a restatement and some possible extensions. Journal of International Business Studies, 19(1): 1-31.

Hill, C.W.L. (2013). International business: competing in the global marketplace. Ninth edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Chapters 6 & 7.

Krugman, P. R. (1987). Is free trade passé?. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1(2): 131-144.

Lenway, S. A., & Murtha, T. P. (1994). The state as strategist in international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(3): 513-535.

Porter, M. E. (1990). The competitive advantage of nations. Harvard Business Review, 68(2): 73-93.