The Strategy of International Business
- In an industry that is domestically focused and unlikely to globalise its business, consider that due to the liberalisation of the UK market, this industry is coming under intensive competitive pressure from foreign entrants to the UK market. What strategic reaction would you employ to help meet pressures from foreign competitors in the UK market?
Coursework Assignment Brief
| Semester: | February 2017 | |
| Module Code: | PM107X | |
| Module Title: | The Strategy of International Business | |
| Programme | Executive MBA | |
| Level: | Level 7 | |
| Awarding Body: | Plymouth University | |
| Module Leader | Stuart Kewley | |
| Format: | Individual Business Report | |
| Presentation: | None | |
| Any special requirements: | No | |
| Word Limit: | 4,500 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway) | |
| Deadline date for submission: | 8 May 2017 | |
| Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment | On completion of the module students should be able to:
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| Percentage of marks awarded for module: | This assignment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module | |
| Assessment criteria | Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria | Maximum marks for each section |
| Content, style, relevance, originality | A business report (with an executive summary), as opposed to an essay style is preferable. The analysis undertaken should be relevant to the question under consideration. Marks will be added for originality in research and approach to the question
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25% |
| Format, referencing, bibliography | The assignment should include a title page, a table of contents and an executive summary. Single spacing is acceptable. The Harvard referencing system should be adhered to throughout. Endnotes are unacceptable. The bibliography should be based on primary sources (where applicable) and secondary sources and should be very comprehensive | 25% |
| Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion | The assignment should make an informed analysis of the correct choices of entry for firms with only domestic experience into foreign markets. A critical analysis of such strategy and the factors which assist/hinder its successful executive should be undertaken. Importantly exploration should be made of the product or service to be internationalised, the right market fit (why the market in question was chosen), the nature of the market especially any regulatory issues that may help or hinder the sale of the product and service and the route to market, (direct sales, licencing or distribution agreement). Alternatively, for those students that work in an industry that is unlikely to globalise its business, the report can focus on a product or service, which due to the liberalisation of the UK market, is coming under competitive pressure from foreign entrants. Ideally the report’s focus should be on an organisation that you are currently or have worked for in the past, although a proxy organisation can be used but this should be discussed with the module leader beforehand | 50% |
Total marks for assignment: 100
| Indicative Grade | UK% marks | Characteristics. Pass mark 50% |
| Distinction | 70%+ | Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Good awareness of nuances and complexities. Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research. Excellent evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced. |
| Merit | 69-60% | High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed argument. Awareness of nuances and complexities. Evidence of independent research. Good evaluation and synthesis of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced. |
| Pass | 59-50% | Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Attempts analysis but includes some errors and /or omissions. Shows awareness of issues but no more than to be expected room attendance at classes.Arguments reasonably clear but underdeveloped. Insufficient evidence of independent research. Insufficient evaluation of source material. Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced. |
| D | 49-40% | Adequate understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks.
Answer too descriptive and or any attempt at analysis is superficial containing errors and omission. Shows limited awareness of issues but also some confusion. Arguments not particularly clear. Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes. Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples and poorly referenced. |
| E | 39-30% | Weak understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Weak analysis and several errors and omissions.
Establishes a few relevant points but superficial and confused exposition of issues. No evidence of independent research and poor understanding of class notes or no use of relevant data, sources and examples and no references. |
