BUS7C1 Corporate Strategy and International Management Portfolio Assignment Brief | WU

BUS7C1 Assignment Brief 

Assessment task details - provide a description of the task

Ensure that you choose one organisation for the portfolio From the Five below and submit this as one word document on Turnitin apart from the news report which will need to be submitted on a different link. This is an individual assignment.

• Air bus
• Fujifilm Holdings Corporation
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
• Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO)
• Hugo Boss AG
• Portfolio task 1 – Report (1000 words)

Choose an international organisation of your choice from the five given and write a report to including the following key points.

1-    Critically analyse and apply relevant international business theories and models within an international context.
2-    Critically appraise global practices and their impact on individuals and the organisation.

Portfolio Task 2 – excel spreadsheet (100 words)

Using the information from the report produce an excel spreadsheet outlining an implementation plan for the strategies you discussed.  Your outline should include timeline, who is responsible for managing that process and the budget needed answering the following learning outcome:

1-  Critically appraise strategic and operational decision-making processes within a relevant business context and their complexity within the wider international business environment.

Portfolio Task 3 – recorded news report (600 words)

Using the same organisation produce a recorded news report answering the following learning outcome:

1- Critically evaluate corporate challenges that impact on the strategic business environment across national and global business landscapes and provide frameworks and solutions for implementation at management and operational level.

Portfolio task 4 – Reflective Piece on Two Relevant Journals (800 words)
Select two academic journals relevant to your assignment topic.
Write a 800 word reflective piece comparing and contrasting the insights or findings from these journals.
Reflect on how the journal articles influenced your understanding of the topic and how they relate to your report and news report.
Portfolio Assignment Templates

Task 1 – report

Layout of report: Your report should have the following structure:

Title page

This should normally include the title, your name and the name of the tutor to whom it is being submitted, date of submission, your course/department, and if applicable, the name of the person and/or organisation who has commissioned the report. Avoid “fancy” fonts and effects and do not include any clipart.

Contents page

A clear, well-formatted list of all the sections and sub-sections of the report. Do not forget to put the page numbers! If applicable, there should be a separate list of tables, figures, illustrations and/or appendices after the main index. Make sure that the headings in this list correspond exactly with those in your main body. It is best to do your list of contents right at the end.

Introduction

This should show that you have fully understood the task/brief and that you are going to cover everything required. Indicate the basic structure of the report. You should include just a little background/context and indicate the reasons for writing the report. This is where you set the scene, introduce your chosen organisation and purpose of the report.

Main Analysis

This is the substance of your report, with headings and sub-headings used to clearly indicate the different sections (unlike an essay).  

A "situation>problem>solution>evaluation" approach may be appropriate. It is not sufficient to simply describe a situation. We will be looking for analysis and for a critical approach, application of project management theory, when appropriate, charts, diagrams, tables and appropriate Harvard referencing style can be used to reinforce your arguments, although sometimes it may be better to include these as an appendix. Do not include opinions, conclusions, or recommendations in this section. Think about focusing on the following areas discussed in your lectures.

Focus on the following concepts in relation to your chosen organisation and the global business environment.

• Company's Strategic Approach: A Comparative Analysis
• Resource-Based View (RBV) and Key Resources
• Core Ideas, Values, and Differentiation

As well as a critical analysis of the following, based around the literature discussed in the lectures and wider reading

• Recent Performance and Changes
• Business Model and Competitive Advantage
• Internationalisation and Innovation

Conclusion

Your conclusion should draw out the implications of your findings, with deductions based on the facts described in your main body. Do not include any new material here.

Recommendation

These should follow on logically from your conclusion and be specific, measurable, and achievable. They should propose how the situation/problem could be improved by suggesting action to be taken for your implementation plan. A statement of cost should be included if you are recommending changes that have financial implications. Recommendations can be numbered if you wish.

Think about the following.

Make recommendations on enhancing the company's strategic approach and maintaining its competitive advantage.
Bibliography/Reference list
This is a list giving the full details of all the sources to which you have referred within your text. The recommended style is the Harvard method.

Appendices

An appendix (plural=appendices) is detailed documentation of points you outline in your findings, for example, technical data, questionnaires, letters sent, tables, sketches, charts, leaflets etc. It is supplementary information which you consider to be too long or complicated or not quite relevant enough to include in your main body, but which still should be of interest to your reader. Each appendix should be referred to in your text. You should not include something as an appendix if it is not discussed in the main body.

Additional Guidance

• Ensure the report is well-organised and follows a logical structure.
• Use clear and concise language.
• Avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
• Utilise headings and subheadings to enhance readability.
• Evidence of critical thinking and analysis throughout.

Task 2 – excel spreadsheet

Your Excel spreadsheet will need to reflect the key aspects of your strategies. Here’s how to structure it:

1. Worksheet Title and Header Rows

• Title the worksheet: "Implementation Plan for Strategic and Operational Decisions".
•  Use headers in Row 1 to clearly define the components:

• Strategy: The specific strategy or initiative to be implemented
• Action Items: Key tasks required to execute the strategy.
• Timeline: The start and end dates for each action item.
• Responsible Person/Team: The individual(s) or department(s) accountable for completing the task.
• Budget (in $): The allocated financial resources for each action item.
• Expected Outcome: Briefly describe what success looks like for each task.

2. Add Rows for Each Strategy

For each strategy, break it down into actionable tasks. Each row should contain:

• Strategy Name: Summarize the strategy in a few words.
• Action Items: List all necessary steps to achieve the strategy
• Timeline: Assign realistic start and completion dates.
• Responsible Person/Team: Ensure roles are clear to avoid confusion.
• Budget: Provide detailed costs for resources, labor, or materials.
• Expected Outcome: Define measurable results, such as KPIs or benchmarks.

3. Include a Summary Section

• At the bottom of the spreadsheet, add a Summary Row to:

• Calculate the Total Budget using a sum formula.
• Provide a Completion Date Range based on timelines.
• Summarize key outcomes in a single row.

4. Example Table Format

5. Formatting Tips

Use conditional formatting to highlight:
Upcoming tasks (e.g., tasks due within a week in yellow).
Completed tasks (mark in green when done).
Apply filters on headers for easy sorting by timeline, responsible team, or budget.

6. Link Back to the Learning Outcome

Make sure to structure your action items and outcomes to demonstrate:

Strategic and Operational Decision-Making: Show how the tasks contribute to resolving business complexities.
International Context: Highlight how global factors are considered (e.g., cultural research, compliance with international standards).

Task 3 – recorded news report

Step 1: Understand the Task and Objective

The aim of the task is to:

Critically evaluate corporate challenges in the organization.
Explore the impact of these challenges on the strategic business environment across both national and global landscapes.
Present actionable frameworks and solutions for management and operational implementation.

Step 2: Plan the News Report Structure

Your report should follow a logical sequence. Please use this structure:

1. Introduction (30 seconds)

• Introduce Yourself: State your name and role in this report.
• Introduce the Organization: Briefly explain the organization you’re focusing on (e.g., industry, size, and global/national presence).
  State the Purpose: Clearly outline what the report will cover:
• Corporate challenges.

 Their impact on the strategic business environment.

Proposed solutions and frameworks.

2. Overview of Corporate Challenges (1–2 minutes)

Identify 2–3 key corporate challenges faced by the organization:

Examples: economic instability, supply chain disruptions, sustainability, regulatory compliance, or technological disruptions.Provide data or examples to support your points (e.g., financial impact, case studies, or recent developments).

Highlight how these challenges differ at the national vs. global level.

3. Impact on the Strategic Business Environment (1–2 minutes)

Discuss how these challenges affect:
Strategic decision-making: Long-term planning and resource allocation.
Operational performance: Day-to-day business processes.
Competitive positioning: Organization's ability to stay ahead of competitors.
Include global and local perspectives, emphasizing:
Cultural differences.
Global supply chain or trade issues.
Varying regulatory landscapes.

4. Proposed Frameworks and Solutions (2–3 minutes)

Present actionable solutions for managing these challenges. Use structured approaches, such as:

• PESTLE Analysis: Addressing political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors.
• SWOT Analysis: Highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Risk Management Frameworks: Steps to mitigate risks, such as contingency planning or scenario analysis.

Tailor solutions to management and operational levels:

• Management: Strategic decisions like market diversification, mergers, or sustainability initiatives.
• Operations: Process automation, staff training, or lean supply chain practices.
• Include examples, timelines, or case studies where applicable.

5. Conclusion and Call to Action (30 seconds)

• Recap key points:
• Challenges identified.
• Their impact on the business environment.
• Proposed solutions.
• End with a call to action:
• Encourage management to adopt these solutions.
• Emphasize the need for agility and innovation to thrive in a complex business landscape.

Step 3: Visuals and Supporting Material

Enhance your news report with relevant visuals:

• Infographics: For corporate challenges and their impacts.
• Charts or Graphs: To support data-driven points.
• Case Study Highlights: Brief slides or clips showcasing real-world examples.
• Logos and Branding: Include the organization's branding for credibility.

Step 4: Recording the News Report

1. Setup and Tools

• Use a professional or quiet setting with good lighting.
• Tools:
• Panopto to record

2. Record in Segments

• Record each section (introduction, challenges, impact, solutions, conclusion) individually.
• Rehearse to ensure smooth delivery and minimize mistakes
• Use a printed script to stay on track.

3. Add Visual Aids

• During editing, overlay visuals (charts, graphs, or bullet points) to emphasize key points.
• Use captions to highlight essential terms or statistics.

Step 5: Review and Finalize

• Edit the Video:
• Trim unnecessary pauses or errors.
• Add transitions between sections for a polished flow.
• Review for Clarity and Accuracy:
• Check that all points align with the learning outcome.
• Ensure data and visuals support your analysis.
• Save and Export:
• Export in a widely compatible format (MP4)

Step 6: Submission

• Ensure the video file is named appropriately (e.g., Portfolio_Task_3_News_Report- student number).
• Submit the video according to the guidelines provided in class

Additional Tips

• Engage the Audience: Use a confident tone, maintain eye contact with the camera, and vary your voice to emphasize key points.
• Stick to Time: Keep the video below 10 minutes to maintain viewer interest.
• Practice Before Recording: Rehearse to ensure fluency and reduce the need for extensive editing.

Task 4 - Reflective Piece on Two Relevant Journals

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the topic of your assignment.
• State the two academic journals you have selected and their relevance to your topic.
• Outline the purpose of this reflective piece (to compare and contrast the journals, and reflect on their influence on your understanding and reports).

Summary of Journal 1

• Provide a concise summary of the key insights, findings, or arguments presented in the first journal article.
• Highlight the main points relevant to your assignment topic.

Summary of Journal 2

• Provide a concise summary of the key insights, findings, or arguments presented in the second journal article.
• Highlight the main points relevant to your assignment topic.\

Comparison and Contrast

• Discuss similarities between the two journal articles (e.g., shared themes, agreements in findings, methodologies).
• Discuss differences between the articles (e.g., contrasting viewpoints, different approaches, conflicting evidence).
• Reflect on the strengths and limitations of each article in relation to your topic.

Reflection on Influence and Relevance

• Explain how reading these journal articles has influenced or deepened your understanding of the topic.
• Reflect on how the insights gained from the articles relate to and support your main report
• Reflect on how the articles informed or shaped the content of your news report.
• Consider if any new perspectives or questions arose from engaging with these journals.

Conclusion

•    Summarize the key reflective points from your comparison.
•    State the overall value of these journals to your assignment and learning process.

References

• List the full references for the two journal articles in your required citation style.
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