Reference no: EM133566986 , Length: word count:4000

Assessment Method: Report Re-assessment Method: Report Word Count 4,000 +_ 10% (not including reflections) 

You are a Business Analyst. Report to the CEO on the future international (or global) strategy of an international organisation of your choice. Students must choose an international company/ organisation anywhere in the world guided by

Assessment Details 

You are a Business Analyst. Report to the CEO on the future international (or global) strategy of an international organisation of your choice. Students must choose an international company/ organisation anywhere in the world guided by perspectives shared in the ‘Choice of Organisation/ Company' section. The assessment consists of reporting to the company's CEO through a formal 4,000 word report. The purpose of the assessment is to present an international strategy for company operations outside its domestic market. Students have a choice of issues they can explore in this assessment. Please refer to ‘Choice of Topic' section.

Students could adopt a number of different approaches but are advised to develop a critical argument in depth and detail supported by a strong body of evidence (based on qualitative and quantitative analysis). Students must cover the following:

1. Introduction & Purpose (500 words): A brief overview of the chosen organisation focusing on contemporary opportunities & challenges; This section should include a clear justification of choice for the destination country/ market together with potential opportunities or challenges it is seeking to address;

2. External Environment Analysis (1,000 words): The report should include a technical assessment of the chosen destination country/ market in terms of culture, logistics, local market conditions, finances and risk, PESTLE etc (any tools utilised e.g. PESTLE should be included in the appendix of the report);

3. RBV Assessment of the organisation (1,000 words): The report should include a brief critical analysis of the organisation's capabilities relevant to the chosen destination country/ market (e.g. competences, resources, strengths/ weaknesses, VRIO assessment);

4. Evaluation of International Strategy Options (500 words): Based on earlier analysis, the Business Analyst should present in the report a brief overview of potential approaches that could be used to addressthe opportunity/ challenges faced by the organisation outlined in the introduction & Purpose section of the report. This section should briefly highlight a set strategic options together with precise, their justification & respective entry modes (i.e. options presented should briefly cover what? Why? & How?);

5. Your Recommendation (1,000 words): Present and Justified chosen approach: Recommend a chosen entry mode, justify its choice, offer clear and detailed instructions for its implementation; 2021/22 Module Handbook 16 Choice of Organisation/ Company The choice of company is very important also. Resist the temptation to choose a company you think you are familiar with or indeed a market that you think you know well (e.g. India or the UK).

Try instead to look for the following cues in choosing you company:

? Is the organisation chosen an international enterprise'?

? Is information readily available about this company (usually MNEs and companies listed in the stock exchange tend to have many reports and data you can access);

? Is the company's industry accessible (e.g. avoid defence and other classified or information sensitive industries);

? Is the company too small or unready for international expansion or activities?

? Does the choice made offer the opportunity to comment on something contemporary or that has not happened yet? There is not much benefit in taking a company and international market the company invested in e.g. seven years ago! Try to look for something more recent.

Choice of Topic There is no prescribed topic that you can choose as the subject of your report. It is of course recommended that you choose a subject for your report to your chosen organisation's CEO that has a strategic management character. It is important that you do not carry out a marketing assignment for this module. However, examples of the type of work you could be undertaking in your report are listed below:

• Access of a new international market or evaluation of performance of recently accessed international market (here you can also evaluate market exit decisions);

• New product or service launched in existing or new international market (here you can also consider a company withdrawing a product or service from an international market);

• Old product or service launched in new (for the company) international market (here you can also consider a company withdrawing a product or service from an international market);

• Evaluation of key strategic alliance or acquisition to enable growth and or a competitive advantage;

• An evaluation of organisational perspectives and structures of the MNE to deliver the corporate and global strategy of the organisation;

• In some instances you could look at regional strategy evaluations (i.e. Asia=Pacific, Europe Middle-East Africa, South America, North America) however this exercise is more challenging and often beyond the scope of a report of this size. 2021/22 Module Handbook 18 8. Assignment specifications: Feedback & Plagiarism Declaration Students could adopt a number of different approaches but are advised to develop a critical argument in depth and detail; preferably supported by qualitative and quantitative analysis and strong use of evidence.

Students should consider the following:

• This assessment is worth 70% of the marks for the module;

• Your report must adopt a critical perspective and incorporate theoretical perspectives to support/ explain your analysis;

• Reflections can be included in the report's Appendix but do not affect word count.

• You must submit your assessment electronically on My Beckett using the Turnitin icon;

• The word count is 4,000 words plus or minus 10%, excluding tables, bibliography, figures and appendices, reflections;

• You should only use Harvard referencing;

• You must limit appendices to essential content only;

• Any appropriate websites referred to must be properly referenced;

• The text of your assessment must be displayed using a 12-point Arial or Verdana font and with a line spacing of at least 1.5. 2021/22 Module Handbook 19 9. How do I develop postgraduate level writing skills? At postgraduate level, you are expected to demonstrate more advanced research and criticalthinking skills in your writing. Evidence

• You need to be proactive and self-directed in finding relevant sources and literature on your topic.

• You will be expected to identify and engage with a wide variety of scholarship. Read extensively around your topic area.

• You must provide a detailed and persuasive rationale for the information you have collected. You must also acknowledge any limitations in your methodology or overall project. Complexity

• PG level offers you further opportunity to specialise by gaining in-depth expertise on a specific topic.

• You must demonstrate a good understanding of complex concepts, models and theories in your research area.

• Whilst you will be discussing and formulating complex ideas, you should use clear, straightforward language. Criticality

• You will need to demonstrate high-level critical-thinking skills, analysing and evaluating the sources you use (including any data you have collected).

• In order to be persuasive, all your claims must be based on evidence. Avoid making claims based on opinion or without supporting evidence.

• You must demonstrate sound logic and reasoning when reaching conclusions.

Project management

• If you are conducting an extensive piece of research with many different elements, you will need a research plan.

• A research plan can help you set realistic objectives over an extended period. This can help you stay on track. You may want to use a simple calendar to do this. Alternatively, a flexible planning tool such as a Gantt chart can help you assess your progress at a glance.

• Remember that your plans may change if tasks are completed more quickly or slowly than anticipated. Research tasks like data collection often don't go to plan due to unforeseen difficulties. Some tasks may be dependent on access to apparatus or participants. Such factors may be out of your control and will require you to be flexible. A project plan can help you to account for such issues and to adapt accordingly. Further information For more resources to help with developing your academic skills, please visit the Skills for Learning website. 2021/22 Module Handbook 20 Feedback: Date generic feedback will be available: Within four weeks of the assessment period, subject to the date set for the release of results. How generic feedback will be returned to you: Posted on the module on MyBeckett. Date provisional marks will be available Within four weeks of the assessment period, subject to the date set for the release of results. How provisional marks will be returned to you: Posted on the module on MyBeckett. Date individual feedback will available Within four weeks of the assessment period.

How individual feedback will be returned to you: By collection of assessments as directed by your Admin Team via Turnitin Plagiarism Declaration