Level 7 International Business Foundations and Trends Assessment Brief 2023-24 | UOS

ASSIGNMENT TASKS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

You must structure your report in the same order as the weighted assignment tasks set out below.

Assessment Criteria

 The marking team will refer to the marking rubric for the assessment, which can be found at the end of this document (Appendix 2).

Assessed intended learning outcomes.

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the reasons for internationalisation and critique current perspectives on globalisation as informed by contemporary global events.

2. Interpret the implications of global connectedness for international business.

3. Interpret how different national macro-environmental factors may influence the decisions and activities of international business.

4. Contrast and critique key established and emerging theories and models of international business.

5. Connect the wider context, theories and models of international business to emerging issues in international business practice and research.

6. Critically apply conceptual and theoretical frameworks relevant to international business management and practice.

7. Locate, synthesise and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate digital tools.

8. Effectively use digital and non-digital means to present ideas, analyse problems and develop and communicate clear and concise insights, conclusions and recommendations.

 APPENDIX 1: Assignment Task Details

Bulldog Skincare is an international manufacturing company seeking new business opportunities in different parts of the world. The company plans to enter either Switzerland or New Zealand as a new market. You are employed by the company to choose ONE of these two potential markets to investigate in order to develop insights and recommendations based on the data you collect and analyse.  

Task 1: Introduction

Provide a short introduction that briefly:
i) provides an overview of the company
ii) explains the overall aim, objectives and structure of your report

Task 2: Possible Drivers for International Expansion
Provide an overview of the possible push and pull drivers for Bulldog Skincare’s seeking further business opportunities in different parts of the world.

Task 3: Global Connectedness
With reference to the Global Connectedness Index 2022, critically evaluate the implications of your chosen market’s global connectedness for Bulldog Skincare.

Task 4: Trade Blocs
Critically discuss your chosen market’s membership(s) (or your chosen market’s potential involvement) in regional trade blocs and the benefits and challenges of such membership(s) for your chosen market.

Task 5: Foreign Direct Investment & the OLI Framework 
Apply the OLI framework to analyse your chosen market in order to decide how attractive your chosen market is for Bulldog.

Task 6: PEST(EL) analysis 
Analyse and discuss the macroenvironmental forces of your chosen market. You must analyse 4 of the 6 macroenvironmental forces (i.e. choose 4 from: political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal).

Task 7: Recommendations
Reflecting on the insights you have developed for Bulldog Skincare in Tasks 2-6, propose recommendations for the company regarding its expansion into your chosen market.