Assessment Task 3 – Individual Essay (50%) • Assignment type: Individual • Value: 50% • Link to CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4 • Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding the title page and the reference list, 10% more or...

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  Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding the title page and the reference list, 10% more or

  
  

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Assessment Task 3 – Individual Essay (50%) • Assignment type: Individual • Value: 50% • Link to CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4 • Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding the title page and the reference list, 10% more or less is allowed) • Due date: 23:55, Friday, June 5 *** Based on the choice of your MNE, answer the following questions. Please note that you need to demonstrate understanding of the theories covered in the course and you meet the necessary academic requirements in terms of conducting effective research, application of theories and concepts, problem solving skills and academic writing. For this assignment, you need to choose one multinational enterprise (MNE) from the 2019 Fortune Global 500 list operating in one of the following industries*. • Airlines • Internet services and retailing • Household and personal products • Motor vehicles and parts • Petroleum refining *The 2019 Fortune Global 500 list is available from https://fortune.com/global500/2019/. You must use the industry filter (not sectors) available at https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/ to shortlist and choose your MNE. N.B. You are encouraged to conduct preliminary data search about the potential MNE to ensure that you can obtain relevant and recent information enabling you to conduct well- supported analysis. https://fortune.com/global500/2019/ https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/ Part 1: Introduction and your chosen MNE (approx. 800 words) Q 1. Write the introduction to the whole paper (i.e. answers to questions 1-5). You should include the purpose, main findings, and the scope and the structure of your paper in the introduction. (You should write your introduction after you know the key findings and the structure of your paper. It is strongly recommended that you write the introduction when you have completed the main body). Q 2. (i) Provide a brief profile of your MNE. Information such as its country of origin, company history, its main products/services, countries of operation etc., should be included. (ii) What are core resources and capabilities of your chosen MNE? Which resources and capabilities do you think provide the source of competitive advantage for the company? Part 2: Host country analysis (approx. 400 words) For this part, you need to select one foreign market (the host country) your chosen MNE is operating in. You may not choose the countries you selected for the Country Analysis Assessment (Assessment Task 2) of this course. Q 3. Analyse the current political situation of your selected host country. What opportunities and challenges does the current political situation create for your chosen MNE’s operation in the country? Part 3: MNE’s strategy in the host country (approx. 1,100 words) Q 4. Based on your understanding of the course topics, Strategy and Structure of MNEs and Entering Foreign Markets, analyse strategy and entry mode choices your MNE adopted as it entered and operates in the host country. Evaluate the benefits and pitfalls of the company’s decisions. If you were given the responsibility of managing your chosen MNE’s operations in your selected host country, what additional or alternative actions would you undertake? Provide justifications for your answer. Part 4: Conclusion (approx. 200 words) Q 5. Write the conclusion to your whole paper. Your conclusion should include a summary of key findings and an evaluation of the importance of your case. *** Micro-credential • You need to complete the Business Problem Solving micro-credential as a part of this assessment. • Once you have successfully passed the micro-credential, you will be able to claim a digital badge with a unique URL. You must include your URL link in the cover sheet of the assessment as the evidence of your completion of the micro-credential. The marker will use this link to verify you have completed the micro-credential. • Please refer to the credential launch page (https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/63889/pages/business-problem- solving?module_item_id=2242282) for more details. Please note that badges may take up to 24 hours to be issued. Guidelines • Make sure that you meet all the assessment requirements. Failure to meet the requirements may result in; - loss of marks; - re-marking excluding the section of work which does not meet the requirement; and/or - resubmitting all or part of the work. • This is an academic writing assignment. You need to demonstrate your ability to investigate IB issues from real world situations, and present your analysis and arguments based on evidence. For this, it is important that relevant theories and concepts, and examples from the case are integrated in your analysis. • You need to demonstrate critical thinking skills. Being descriptive is not appropriate for this assignment. • You are expected to consult newspapers and popular press, and grey literature such as trade/industry/government reports and periodicals. You also need to use academic journals as sources for your analysis. Your essay should have at least six academic journal references to inform your key ideas. Format Your essay must be formatted as per the requirements below: • Cover sheet (available for download in the course Canvas page) • Use 12pt font • 1.5 line or double spacing • Leave a line between each paragraph • Use Harvard method for referencing • Clearly indicate the question numbers. Use headings and subheadings where appropriate, but do not include the full questions in your essay as it will distort the word count • The title page and the reference list are excluded from the word count. • Your final submission must be in MS Words “.docx” or “.doc” format. If you used Mac, make sure that you convert the “.pages” file into one of the above formats before submission. https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/63889/pages/business-problem-solving?module_item_id=2242282 https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/63889/pages/business-problem-solving?module_item_id=2242282 https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/63889/pages/business-problem-solving?module_item_id=2242282 Assessment Task 3: Individual Essay (out of 50) Criteria Unsatisfactory Acceptable Good Superior Outstanding Identification of key issues and problems in the case (out of 7) Relevant issues, key problems, and the company’s present situation and strategic issues are poorly identified. Shows some understanding of relevant issues, key problems, and the company’s present situation and strategic issues. Shows adequate understanding of relevant issues, key problems, and the company’s present situation and strategic issues. Shows superior knowledge of the issues, key problems, and the company’s present situation and strategic issues. Shows outstanding knowledge of the issues, key problems, and the company’s present situation and strategic issues. Quality of analysis and recommendations (out of 12) Too descriptive. Lack of a central argument and clarity in analysis. Specific data or evidence necessary to support the analysis and conclusions was not provided. Shows some evidence of what is required in quality analysis. Unsubstantiated assertions are made at times. Arguments need further development. Some adequate recommendations and/or plans of actions were made. Uses evidence drawn from a range of sources to support claims, but does not critically engage with the evidence. There may be some gaps in reasoning. Some effective recommendations and/or plans of action were provided. Provides persuasive analysis of the issue at hand to develop a clear and robust argument. Substantial evidence of critical thought. Well- supported recommendations, solutions, and/or plans of action were provided. Analysis is sophisticated and nuanced, evaluates competing ideas from a number of standpoints. Persuasive and insightful recommendations, solutions, and/or plans of action were provided that are supported by compelling evidence. Understanding of key theories and concepts (out of 12) Does not demonstrate adequate understanding of key theories and concepts. Definition or discussion of key concepts is heavily relying on direct quotes or improperly paraphrased. Has some understanding of key theories and concepts but has over- reliance on quotations or poor paraphrases. Demonstrates good understanding of key theories and concepts. Has adequate breadth, but limited depth of understanding of the theories and concepts. Demonstrates breadth and depth of understanding of key theories and concepts. Can apply accurately and has transformed the ideas so that they can express them appropriately in their own words. Demonstrates accurate and elaborated breadth and depth of understanding of key theories and course concept in the knowledge domain. Knows how particular facts came to be. Quality, relevance and sufficiency of research (out of 7) Does not meet the minimum scholarly reference requirement. No evidence of independent research. Meets the scholarly reference requirement but shows limited evidence of independent research. Use of literature and additional materials is very limited and/or largely irrelevant. Meets the scholarly reference requirement. Shows evidence of engagement with relevant literature but does not always discriminate effectively between sources of information. Meets the scholarly reference requirement. Evidence of independent research. Employs relevant literature on the topic effectively. Shows a good, sound knowledge of the literature and good research skills. Meets the scholarly reference requirement. Demonstrates a thorough and critically reflective approach to source selection appropriate to the task. Demonstrates high level of independent thought in locating required information. Is selective and discriminates between sources of information in an appropriate and critical manner for the task. Appropriate structure (logical sequence; transitions between parts; well-developed paragraphs) (out of 5) Messy and illogical structure. Sections are disjointed and disconnected with one another. Paragraphs were poorly organised or unfocused. Some attempt is made to organise the essay into discrete sections but some sections seem irrelevant and/or their links with others are unclear. Some paragraphs were poorly organised. Text is structured with clearly defined parts, although these could be developed more effectively / be more coherent. Transition between paragraphs is mostly logical. Paragraphs generally coherent.