Reference no: EM132424037 , Length: word count:600
Purpose: As a part of this course's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) approach, assessment task 2 in conjunction with assessment task 3 is designed to develop and apply your knowledge and skills to a real or simulated workplace/business project or context. This task will therefore involve delivering a research report and verbal presentation on a theme that aligns with a larger collaborative international business research project between ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) and RMIT. ABAC is a Business Advisory Council for APEC economics. APEC (Asia Pacific Cooperation) is a multilateral organisation consisting of 21-member economies. APEC was established in 1989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. Since its inception. APEC has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region.
The 2019 ABAC-RMIT Research Project will deliver research and analysis in support of the themes proposed by ABAC Digital Innovation Working Group. ABAC are currently interested in recommending the use of Blockchain to their member economies with the intention of facilitating trade across-borders, bridging the digital divide, and improving social inclusiveness.
Research Project objective:
The objective of this research is to develop a 'scorecard' for each APEC member economy, rating its current efforts to use Blockchain to facilitate trade. bridge the digital divide. and improve social cohesiveness.
This is a large topic, and it is important to focus on APEC's major priorities:
• Facilitating trade across borders: the focus is on how Blockchain can support trade through facilitating the digitisation of data that support trade related data. At present data supporting cross-border trade is largely paper based
• Bridging the digital divide: SMMEs (small, medium. micro businesses) find trade difficult due to bureaucratic procedures. lack of knowledge etc, despite having access to the internet and the potential use of new digital technologies such as Blockchain. The focus is on how SMMEs can better access cross-border trade using Blockchain
• Improving social cohesion: social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society-improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged based on their identity. The focus is on how Blockchain can improve the participation of women in cross-border trade
As part of assessment 2 and 3, you are required to conduct research and deliver a verbal presentation and a written report for an industry panel Assessment task 2 represents the verbal presentation component. For both the presentation and the report you need to address the question provided below:
Research questions
This task requires you to answer the following set of questions:
• What is Blockchain technology? What are some of its current applications? At what stage of adoption is Blockchain?
• How can Blockchain facilitate the use of digitised data to support trade-across borders in APEC economies? How does each APEC member economy rate on this issue?
• How can Blockchain assist SMMEs to better access cross-border trade opportunities? How does each APEC member economy rate on this issue?
• How can Blockchain improve the participation of women in cross- border trade? How does each APEC member economy rate on this issue?
Methodology
The research focuses on answering the research questions from articles and reports from publicly available current and credible references. The research does not include any stakeholder interviews.
Each CLN will be allocated 2 APEC economies to research- a developed and a developing economy.