BMIB5001 International Business and Strategy Assignment 1 Individual Reflective Report | DMU

BMIB5001 Assessment Information – What you need to do

This assignment is an individual assignment.
 
This assignment requires you to write a 2,000-word individual reflective report on your learning experiences in this module. In your report, explain how you have developed personally and what new insights or understanding you have gained. Make sure to connect your experiences to key concepts, theories, or models studied in the module (e.g. PESTLE Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, VRIO Analysis, SWOT Analysis). Explain how these tools have helped you understand how companies create effective strategies to compete in global markets. You may use any reflective model to structure your report, such as Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988).

Your reflective report should include the following:

A. Title Page

• Include your module code (BMIB5001), seminar tutor name, and date of submission.

B. Contents Page

• Your Contents Page should list the main sections and subheadings of your report in the order they appear, along with their corresponding page numbers.

C. Introduction

• Briefly introduce what your report is about.
• Mention the module name and the types of learning experiences you will reflect on (Choose experiences that were meaningful, challenging, or eye-opening. You don’t need to reflect on everything — focus on a few key experiences that show growth and learning).
• State the name of the reflective model you will use as the framework for your reflection.
• Outline the main themes you will reflect on (for example, state which key theories and models from International Business Strategy you will reflect on, teamwork, problem-solving, or international business contexts).
• Mention how this module challenged or changed the way you think. What expectations did you have at the beginning? Have these changed?

The structure outlined below is based on Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle. However, you are free to use any reflective model you prefer. Please note that the structure of your work will vary depending on the model you choose.

D. Description of the Experience (What happened?)

Describe the key learning experience you are reflecting on. Include relevant details: 

• The task or activity: What were you asked to do?
• Participants: Who else was involved (e.g. group members, seminar tutor)?
• Timing and location: When and where did it happen (e.g. lecture, seminar, workshop, individual activity, group activity)?
• Your role: What were your responsibilities? What part did you play?

E. Feelings (What were you thinking and feeling?)

• Share your initial reactions, thoughts, and emotions at the start of the experience.
• Be honest - did you feel confident, confused, excited, nervous, or challenged?
• Reflect on how your feelings changed as the activity progressed. Did you feel more comfortable, frustrated, or motivated?

F. Evaluation (What was good and bad about the experience?)

• Reflect on what went well and what did not during the experience.
• Identify what supported your learning – for example, helpful resources, group dynamics, or teaching methods.
• Discuss the challenges or barriers you faced and how you dealt with them.
• Highlight your personal strengths that emerged and the areas for improvement that became clearer through this experience.

G. Analysis (What sense can you make of the situation?)

• Link your experience to theories and models you learned in the module. For example, how did SWOT or PESTLE help you understand external factors affecting a business decision?
• Explain not just what the theory is, but how it connects to your thinking, decisions, or group work.
• Reflect on your initial learning about International Business Strategy and how the experience deepened or challenged that understanding.
• Explain how your experience helped you understand how firms develop competitive advantage in global markets using strategic tools like Porter’s Five Forces and Value Chain Analysis. 
• Consider what this experience reveals about the challenges of strategic decision-making in international business. How might different industries, countries, or company sizes affect applying these theories?
• Think critically: Why did certain things happen? What did you learn about strategy, teamwork, or problem-solving?
• Reflect on how this experience changed your perspective.

H. Conclusion (What did you learn from it?)

• Summarise the most important lessons from your experience.
• Summarise how the theories you applied helped you develop strategic thinking. What insights did you gain about international business environments and strategy creation?
• Reflect on new skills acquired and how they can be applied in future scenarios.
• Reflect on how your understanding of business strategy has evolved personally and professionally.
• Think about how your confidence, communication, decision-making, or teamwork has developed.
• Discuss how your learning applies to your personal and professional development.
• Has this experience influenced your career aspirations or your approach to solving business problems?
• Were there any surprises or changes in your thinking?
• What personal or academic insights did you gain? 

I.Action Plan (What will you do differently in the future?)

• Based on your reflection, what will you do differently next time?
• What personal goals will you set based on this experience?
• Mention any skills you plan to develop further (e.g., critical thinking, communication, use of strategy frameworks).
• How will you continue to develop the skills and insights gained in this module in future academic or work-related settings?
• How will you use this learning in future modules, your career, or personal growth?
• Explain how you will use the theoretical models you learned in your future practice — in academic tasks, your career, or strategic decision-making.
• Give an example of how you might apply this learning in a real business context, either from a case study you studied or from your own industry knowledge.
• Discuss how these experiences will influence your future actions, decisions, or perspectives regarding crafting winning strategies for firms’ competitive advantage.

Guidance on Using References in Your Reflective Report

• Throughout your report, support your reflections by citing relevant theories, frameworks or models, or academic sources you have learned in the module or found through research.
• Use references to connect your personal experiences to broader concepts, helping to show your understanding of the theory and its practical application.
• For example, when you mention a strategic framework like SWOT analysis or Porter’s Five Forces, cite the original author or a credible textbook/article.
• When discussing your learning process or reflective model (e.g., Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle), include appropriate references.
• Ensure all sources are properly cited using “Cite Them Right” referencing (both in-text citations and your reference list).
• Make sure the reference list is listed in alphabetical order according to the last name of the first author of each source.

Additional Guidance 

• Use clear and simple language.
• Write in the first person (I, my) — this is your personal reflection.
• Use examples to back up your points.
• Keep your writing focused and structured using the structure above.
• Don’t just describe — analyse and reflect on your experience. You only need to reflect on two significant learning experiences in depth — this is more valuable than covering everything briefly.

Criteria for Assessment - How you will be marked

The individual reflective report will be marked according to specific criteria (see table below). A marking rubric, detailing how each of the assessment criteria will be assessed is provided on Learning Zone, under the Assessment 1 tab. Note that there will be time in seminars to discuss the assessment task, including marking criteria, in more depth.

Please, have a look at the marking rubric for more detailed information (separate document). 

Further information on University mark descriptors can be found here.

This assignment is designed to assess the following learning outcomes: 

1. Conceptualise and critically evaluate why and how firms go international.
4. Critically appraise the host and home country factors that affect the development and implementation of international business strategies to inform proposed solutions.
5. Develop a conceptual framework for tackling the opportunities and challenges in international business.

Assessment Details:

• The word count is: 2000 words 
• There will be a penalty of a deduction of 10% of the mark for work exceeding the word limit by 10% or more.
• The word limit includes figures, quotations and citations, but excludes the cover page, contents page and references list.
• You must ensure that this assessment is written entirely in your own words. It should reflect your personal experiences, insights, and understanding gained during the module. You must not directly copy content from other sources and ensure all references to theories, models, or published work are properly cited using the Harvard "Cite Them Right" style. Plagiarism or academic misconduct will not be tolerated.

How to Submit Your Assessment

The assessment must be submitted by 12:00 noon (GMT) on 31/10/2025. No paper copies are required. You can access the submission link through the module shell.

• Your coursework will be given a zero mark if you do not submit a copy through Turnitin. Please take care to ensure that you have fully submitted your work. 
• Please ensure that you have submitted your work using the correct file format, unreadable files will receive a mark of zero. The faculty accepts Microsoft Office and PDF documents, unless otherwise advised by the module leader.
• All work submitted after the submission deadline without a valid and approved reason will be subject to the University regulations on late submissions.
  oIf an assessment is submitted up to 24 hours late the mark for the work will be capped at the pass mark of 40 per cent for undergraduate modules or 50 per cent for postgraduate modules
  oIf an assessment is submitted beyond 24 hours late the work will receive a mark of zero per cent
  oThe above applies to a student’s first attempt at the assessment. If work submitted as a reassessment of a previously failed assessment task is submitted later than the deadline the work will immediately be given a mark of zero per cent
  oIf an assessment which is marked as pass/fail rather than given a percentage mark is submitted later than the deadline, the work will immediately be marked as a fail
• The University wants you to do your best. However, we know that sometimes events happen which mean that you can’t submit your coursework by the deadline – these events should be beyond your control and not easy to predict.  If this happens, you can apply for an extension to your deadline for up to ten working days, or if you need longer, you can apply for a deferral, which takes you to the next assessment period (for example, to the re-sit period following the main Assessment Boards). You must apply before the deadline for your assessment. You will find information about applying for extensions and deferrals here.
• Students MUST keep a copy and/or an electronic file of their assignment.
• Checks will be made on your work using anti-plagiarism software and approved plagiarism checking websites.

Return of Marked Work

You can expect to have feedback returned to you on 21/11/2025. If for any reason, there is a delay you will be kept informed. Marks and feedback will be provided online. It is important that you access the feedback you receive as this will help to make improvements to your later work, you can request a meeting with your Module Leader or Personal Tutor to discuss your feedback in more detail. 

Marks will have been internally moderated only and will therefore be provisional; your mark will be formally agreed later in the year once the external examiner has completed their review. More information on assessment and feedback can be found here.