Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key dimensions of strategic management as well as the concepts pertaining to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Module code and title:

GBM6ISM International Strategic Management

Module leader:

Assignment type:

Individual Business Report (3000 words)

Assessment weighting:

100%

Submission time and date:

Target feedback time and date:

Three weeks from submission date

Assignment task

As a strategy consultant, you are required to write an Individual Business Report of 3000 words (100%). This report must provide guidance to an SME or MNE currently operating in the domestic market and contemplating international expansion. Your role involves critically evaluating strategic management concepts and models, navigating the strategic management process, and assisting the business in making informed decisions regarding international expansion.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO1

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key dimensions of strategic management as well as the concepts pertaining to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and multinational enterprises (MNEs).

LO2

Critically appraise the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its role in strategic decision making.

LO3

Critically evaluate the distinctions between traditional and contemporary modes of entry into international markets.

LO4

Critically assess key strategy focus areas and recommend the suitable market entry mode to grow a business from locally to internationally.

Task requirements

You must produce a 3000-word Individual Business Report (100%) in response to the above assignment task. Your business report MUST:

1. Choose one SME or MNE, provide a brief overview of it, and conduct a critical analysis of strategic model/ frameworks adopted by your chosen company.
2. Critically analyse Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and evaluate its significance in the strategic decision-making of your chosen company, considering the ethical responsibilities of the industry in which the company operates.
3. Critically evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with different entry strategies (traditional and contemporary) for your chosen company aiming to enter international markets within its respective industry.
4. Propose and justify the most appropriate market entry strategy for international expansion based on a critical analysis of your chosen company`s key strategic focus areas.

Referencing and research requirements

Please reference your work according to the Harvard style; you can access guidance on this here: https://libguides.uos.ac.uk/academic/referencing/Harvard

Use this link for legal references: https://www.citethemrightonline.com/QuicklinkReferences?menuid=7Crefid=1

How your work will be assessed

Your work will be assessed on the extent to which it demonstrates your achievement of the stated learning outcomes for this assignment (see above) and against other key criteria, as defined in the University’s grading descriptors.

This assignment will be marked according to the grading descriptors for Level 6.

Submission details

This assignment should be submitted electronically via Moodle (module tutors will discuss this process with you during class time).

• Please ensure that your work has been saved in an appropriate file format, Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint are the most widely used. DO NOT upload your assignment in Pages format. Your file must contain at least 20 words of text, consist of fewer than 400 pages and be less than 40MB in size

• Your submission should be presented using the Aptos font, size 12, and the line spacing should be 1.5

• You can submit your work as many times as you like before the submission date. If you do submit your work more than once, your earlier submission will be replaced by the most recent version

• Once you have submitted your work, you will receive a digital receipt as proof of submission, which will be sent to your forwarded e-mail address (provided you have set this up). Please keep this receipt for future reference, along with the original electronic copy of your assignment

• You are reminded of the University’s regulations on academic misconduct, which can be viewed on the

University  website:  https://www.uos.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Academic-Misconduct-Policy.pdf.

• Students who require learning support may contact Additional Learning Support here (URL) For additional academic support here https://moodle.globalbanking.ac.uk/course/index.php?categoryid=389
• In submitting your assignment, you are acknowledging that you have read and understood these regulations.

Submission date and time

This assignment should be submitted to Moodle before 23:5G on 2nd December 2024.

You should submit all work for summative assessments by the above deadline. Work submitted up to three working days after the deadline will be accepted and marked, but the mark will be capped at the pass mark of 40% unless there is a valid reason for the late submission, i.e., having been granted an extension to the deadline or a deferral under the terms of the Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

Work submitted more than three working days after the deadline without a valid reason will not be accepted and will be recorded as 0% RN (refer, no work submitted).

For more information, please refer to: [hyperlink to Student Programme Handbook to be inserted here]

Feedback and marks for this assignment will be available in three weeks from the submission deadline.

Level 6

In accordance with the FHEQ, at the end of Level 6 students should have coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of their subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline. They will be able to accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline, using their conceptual understanding to devise and sustain arguments and/or to solve problems. They should be aware of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge. They should be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem. They should be able to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Assessment category

Coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of the subject area, at least some of which is informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline

Cognitive and intellectual skills

Application of theory to practice (for courses with a professional practice element)

Reading and referencing

Presentation, style and structure

Work that significantly exceeds the specified word limit may be penalized

Pass mark, demonstrating

G0%-100%

Excellent work showing flawless understanding of subject matter, explicitly well-informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.

Insightful and exemplary use of critical evaluation skills to support sophisticated, original and highly coherent

Sophisticated application of theory to practice, demonstrating insightful selection of theory and flawless application to practice, drawing skilfully on the latest research within the discipline.

Insightful and effective use of a carefully selected range of relevant reading, including literature informed by the latest research. Consistently

Exemplary presentation of work that is fluent and flawless throughout.

judgements and arguments and/or creatively solve problems. Clearly articulates the significance of relationships between a range of ideas and concepts, enabling a new perspective to be applied.

Selection and use of relevant supporting evidence is flawless. Work is innovative, demonstrating outstanding originality and creativity of thought and approach.

accurate application of referencing.

80%-8G%

High quality work showing fluent, deep and highly detailed knowledge and understanding of subject matter, explicitly well- informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.

Excellent use of critical evaluation skills to apposite and highly coherent judgements and arguments and/or

Excellent application of theory to practice, with all links fully appropriate and meaningfully applied, drawing skilfully on the latest research within the discipline.

Consistent and balanced engagement with a refined range of relevant reading, including literature informed by the latest research.

Highly effective presentation of work that is coherently structured and clearly expressed throughout.

creatively solve problems. Clearly articulates the significance of relationships between a range of ideas and concepts, enabling a new perspective to be applied. Use of a wide and carefully selected range of relevant supporting evidence. Work shows excellent originality and creativity of thought and approach.

Consistently accurate application of referencing.

Level 6

Coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding

Cognitive and intellectual skills

Application of theory to practice

Reading and referencing

Presentation, style and structure

Pass mark, demonstrating

70% – 7G%

Commendable work showing coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of subject matter, explicitly informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.

Effective use of critical evaluation skills to make well- informed and coherent judgements and arguments and/or creatively solve problems. Clearly

Consistent and balanced engagement with a refined range of relevant reading, including literature informed by the latest research. Consistently accurate application of referencing.

Consistent engagement with an extensive range of relevant reading, including literature informed by the latest research.

Consistently accurate application of referencing.

Well-formed presentation of work that is coherently structured and clearly expressed throughout.

articulates the significance of relationships between a range of ideas and concepts, enabling a new perspective to be applied. Use of a wide range of relevant supporting evidence. Work shows effective originality and creativity of thought and approach.

60% – 6G%

Work of solid quality showing competent and consistent knowledge and understanding of subject matter, informed by the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.

Sound use of critical evaluation skills to make well- informed judgements and arguments and/or solve problems.

Usually articulates the significance of relationships between a range of

Sound understanding and evaluation of application of theory to practice, with the student making clearly articulated and reasoned links between the two, informed by the latest research within the discipline.

Critical engagement with a good range of relevant reading, including literature informed by the latest research Sound application of referencing, with no inaccuracies or inconsistencies.

Competent presentation of work in terms of structure and clarity of expression.

ideas and concepts. Use of a good range of relevant supporting evidence. Work shows significant evidence of originality and creativity which contributes to the overall assignment.

50% – 5G%

Adequate work showing knowledge and understanding of subject matter, but lacking depth and breadth. Awareness of the latest research and/or advanced scholarship within the discipline.

Use of critical evaluation skills to make largely logical and coherent judgements and arguments and/or solve problems, but with gaps and/or inconsistencies. Use of an adequate range of relevant supporting evidence. Work provides examples of originality and creativity, which enhances aspects of the assignment.

Mainly consistent, accurate and logical application of theory to practice, with the student making appropriate links between the two and evidence of evaluation.

Engagement with an appropriate range of reading beyond essential texts, including literature informed by the latest research. Referencing may show minor inaccuracies or inconsistencies.

Work is structured in a largely coherent manner and is for the most part clearly expressed.