MBA GLOBAL

ASSIGNMENT
SPECIFICATION
Programme: PG Dip leading to MBA Module Level: 7

Module: Module code: APO007-6

International Business
Contribution to Overall Internationalization
100% Assignment Title:
Module Assessment Process
(%):
Lecturer: Mr. Anand Walser Internal Verifier: Apsara Hewage
Ms.Sarasi Senadheera

Hand Out Date: 30th August 2019 Submission deadline: 03rd October 2019
Feedback deadline:
Referencing: In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research
your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books,
articles, etc. that you have read or referred in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for
books: surname of author and initials, year of publication, title of book, edition,
publisher: place of publication).
All assignments must reflect the theories, models and frameworks associated with the
subject matter. It is critical that the student reflects this in the submission and
accordingly students must give credit to the authors of the theories, models and
frameworks. The Harvard system of referencing is required throughout and needs to be
adhered to rigidly.
Disclosure: Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment,
followed by your name and date:

I declare that this assignment is all my own work and that I have acknowledged all
materials used from the published or unpublished works of other people. All references
have been duly cited.

Turnitin: All assignments must be submitted to Turnitin unless otherwise instructed by the Lecturer. YES X
Note: the Turnitin version is the primary submission and acts as a receipt for the student.
Late submission of the electronic version of the assignment, without an authorised extension, may NO
result in a Fail.
Only the LSC Extenuating Circumstances Panel may grant an extension.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 1

Learning Outcomes tested Assessment Criteria
(from module descriptor)
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and  Demonstrate knowledge of relevant
understanding theories, concepts, tools and frameworks
that underpin the process of analysing the
 Of the theories, concepts and contexts which
selected foreign market prior to deciding the
frame the international institutional trade and appropriate entry and internationalisation
multi-national investment environment including strategies.
political, economic, social, technological and
environmental factors.

2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

 Analyse and critically evaluate the modes of
engagement, key decision and strategy
 A critical analysis of the host country
frameworks applied within international markets conditions to evaluate the impacts towards
and the interconnectedness between these and the selected scenario and to take relevant
the economic, legal, governmental, political, management decisions about the modes of
regulatory, cultural and other environments in engagement to successfully exploit the
which international companies operate. available opportunities and to mitigate any
potential risks.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 2

 TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT

This assessment component has a weighting of 100% of the total marks for this module.

It should be submitted in report format in accordance with the specified deadlines.

BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

A successful local organisation is seeking to expand its business internationally. You have been hired as a
consultant to help to prepare for international expansion. You must advise upon the development of an
internationalisation strategy to cover the following:-

Tasks

1. Provide a brief overview of the chosen organisation and critically discuss the drivers compelling the organisation
to expand internationally.

2. Evaluate the selected product / service readiness for internationalisation.

3. Analyse the macro environment, national competitiveness and the culture of the selected host country and
evaluate the impacts of these to the proposed business idea.

4. Propose the most appropriate entry strategy and the internationalisation strategy for the scenario under
discussion.

5. Based on your analysis and the proposed strategies, provide a timeline (Gantt chart) which illustrates the
implementation of the internationalization process.

LENGTH REQUIRED

2000 words (+ or- 10%). Any deviation from this will be penalised.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 3

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style

2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
3. Length: 2000 words (+ or - 10%). Any deviation from this leads to marks penalization.
4. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12, line spacing 1.5 and pages
numbered.
5. Document format: Report (Do not use essay format).
6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet.
7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and
journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
8. Citation and Referencing: All the used sources must be cited and given in the reference list.

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles,
professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports
and other company information. All citations and referencing should be in Harvard style.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 4

 MARKING CRITERIA
This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines
your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on
the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would
benefit from development/improvement.

Assessment Criteria for the assignment

(1) Research-Informed Literature (20%)

Use of relevant and credible sources of literature and evidence sources; the concepts and frameworks of
international business related to foreign market analysis; choice of mode of entry and related
management interventions from a range of academic sources.

(2) Knowledge and Understanding of Subject (20%)

The level of demonstration of knowledge; the grasp of these concepts/theories or models and their use in
relation to the scenario under discussion and the foreign market selected.

(3) Analysis (20%)

A critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of the relevant concepts/frameworks of international

business to the case study and foreign market selected.

(4) Practical Application and Deployment (25%)

Critical application of the relevant tools; frameworks and international business strategies to provide
solutions to the potential challenges or take advantage of available opportunities for the scenario
selected.
(5) Skills for Professional Practice (15%)
Inclusion of citations and reference list adhering to Harvard system. Following proper report structure in
accordance with the given guidelines and within the stipulated word count limits.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 5

 GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria overleaf and specifically
aligned to the “exceptional” outcome category to which we anticipate students aspire.

1. Research-informed Literature
Your work must embed and be informed and supported by relevant and credible scholarly material that is accessible in
the learned journals listed on the module schedule. You should refer to at least 25 such sources. Additionally, you
should refer to text books, current news items and benchmark your organisation against other organisations to ensure
your assignment is current and up-to-date. High-level referencing skills using the Harvard Method must be
demonstrated throughout your work and all sources listed alphabetically within your bibliography.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the subject area. This means that within your work, you should provide evidence of your
growing mastery in critical awareness of current challenges, new insights and the constant need for innovation within
the field. Furthermore, a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge and even understanding,
should be considered and examples of such, illustrated within your work.

3. Analysis
To be considered masters worthy, your work must contain evidence of analysis, evaluation and synthesis. This means
not just describing “What!” but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? And at what cost! At all times, you
must provide justification of your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of
others on matters occurring in the real world of business is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate
within your work. Your choice of methodologies to gather data and information must be rigorously defended.
Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments in
the absence of complete data, since within the real world of work, we rarely have access to, or know all the
information! Persuasive conclusions are especially necessary and must be derived from the content of your work –
there should be no new information presented within your conclusion. Your work should aspire to resemble work
which is of journal publishable quality.

4. Practical Application and Deployment

It is essential that you rationalise how you decided upon certain methods, materials, tools and techniques to inform
and complete your work. You must demonstrate what informed your decision(s) to apply certain concepts that
enabled you to formulate innovative and creative solutions to the challenges presented to you or that you identified for
yourself. Plausible, costed and justifiable recommendations are demanded and where these are absent, your work is
undermined. Your work should provide evidence that you are growing in mastery in developing cutting edge
processes and techniques within the subject area.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of your attributes in the application of professional practice. This includes
demonstrating that you are highly capable of individual and collaborative working. Regarding the presentation of
your work, you must demonstrate your ability to select and deploy the appropriate media that is “fit for purpose.
Additionally, you must exhibit your ability to: communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism; work
professionally, autonomously and within a team; develop leadership skills; and produce/present work that is coherent,
cogent and specifically addresses the challenges set for you or you have set yourself. Importantly, your work should be
easily understood by specialists and non-specialists in the field.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 6

 Level 7 - COMMON ASSESSMENT AND MARKING CRITERIA

OUTRIGHT FAIL FAIL PASS GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL

Assessment Criteria
0-29% 30-39%* 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%

1. Research- Little or no Poor evidence of References to a Inclusion of Inclusion of a wide A comprehensive Outstanding
evidence of reading. reading and/or of limited range of research-informed range of research- range of research knowledge of
informed Literature reliance on mostly relevant literature, including informed literature, informed literature research-informed
Views and findings inappropriate sources. sources retrieved including sources embedded in the literature embedded
Extent of research and/or unsupported and sources, and/or Referencing independently. retrieved work. Excellent in the work.
own reading, selection non-authoritative. indiscriminate use conventions not Some omissions and independently. selection of relevant Outstanding
of sources. always applied minor errors. and credible selection of relevant
of credible sources,
consistently. Selection of relevant sources. High-level and credible
application of appropriate Referencing
referencing skills, sources. High-level
conventions largely Referencing Referencing and credible
referencing conventions consistently applied. referencing skills
ignored. conventions used conventions mostly sources. Very good
inconsistently. consistently applied. use of referencing consistently and
conventions, professionally
consistently applied. applied

2. Knowledge and Major gaps in Gaps in knowledge, Some evidence of Knowledge is Knowledge is Excellent mastery of Exceptional mastery
knowledge and with only superficial knowledge and generally accurate extensive. Exhibits a complex and of a complex and
Understanding of understanding of understanding. understanding of with a satisfactory understanding of the specialised area of specialised area of
Subject material at this Some significant current and relevant understanding of the breadth and depth of knowledge and knowledge and
level. Substantial inaccuracies. concepts and field of study. established and skills, with an skills, with an
inaccuracies. underlying contemporary excellent critical exceptional critical
Extent of systematic
principles but with views. awareness of current awareness of current
knowledge, gaps or errors. problems and/or problems and/or
understanding and new insights at the new insights at the
critical awareness of forefront of the forefront of the
concepts and underlying field. Clear field. A critical
principles associated with awareness of awareness of the
challenges to ambiguities and
the discipline.
established views limitations of
and the limitations knowledge.
of the knowledge
base.

3. Analysis Unsubstantiated Some evidence of Evidence of some Evidence of some Evaluates Excellent critical Exceptional critical
generalisations, analytical logical, critical logical, analytical, methodologies, evaluation of evaluation of
made without use of intellectual skills, thinking and some critical thinking and current research and methodologies, methodologies,
Analysis, evaluation and any credible but for the most part attempts to synthesis. Can ideas critically and, current research and current research and
synthesis; logic, evidence. Lack of descriptive. synthesise, albeit analyse new and/or where appropriate, ideas and, where ideas and, where
argument and judgement; logic, leading to Ideas/findings with weaknesses. complex data and proposes new appropriate, appropriate,
analytical reflection; unsupportable/ sometimes illogical situations without hypotheses/ideas. proposes new proposes new
missing and contradictory. Some evidence to guidance. Evaluates and hypotheses/ ideas. hypotheses/ ideas.
organisation of ideas and
conclusions. Lack Generalised support findings/ synthesises complex Evaluates and Evaluates and
evidence of any attempt to statements made issues both synthesises complex synthesises complex
views, but evidence An emerging
analyse, synthesise with scant evidence. not consistently awareness of systematically and issues issues at a high level
or evaluate. Conclusions lack interpreted. different stances and creatively. Makes systematically and of mastery. Makes
relevance. ability to use sound judgements creatively. Makes outstanding
evidence to support and proposes excellent judgements and
Some relevant
the argument. convincing judgements and proposes highly
conclusions and
arguments in the proposes convincing convincing
recommendations,
absence of complete arguments in the arguments in the
But not always well Some conclusions
data. Sound, absence of complete absence of complete
linked to other and
convincing data. Strong, data. Highly
material. recommendations,
conclusions / persuasive, persuasive
where relevant
recommendations. conclusions, conclusions. Work
justifiable is of journal
recommendations. publishable quality.
Work is of
conference
publishable quality.

PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business Page 7

 4. Practical
Application and
Deployment
Effective deployment of
appropriate methods,
materials, tools and
techniques; extent of skill
demonstrated in the
application of concepts to
a variety of processes
and/or contexts;
formulation of
innovative, original and
creative solutions to
solve problems.
5. Skills for
Professional Practice
Demonstrates attributes
expected in professional
practice including:
individual initiative and
collaborative working;
deployment of
appropriate media to
communicate (including
written and oral); clarity
and effectiveness in
presentation and
organisation.
PGDip / UoB MBA Global /International Business
Limited or no use of Rudimentary Some awareness A satisfactory and A very good An advanced Outstanding levels
methods, materials, application of and mostly appropriate application of a application of a of application and
tools and/or methods, materials, appropriate application of range of methods, range of methods, deployment skills.
techniques. tools and/or application of well- standard methods, materials, tools materials, tools Assimilation and
techniques but established materials, tools and/or techniques. and/or techniques. development of
Little or no without methods, materials, and/or techniques. cutting edge
appreciation of the consideration and tools and/or Very good The context of the processes and
context of the competence. Flawed techniques. Satisfactory consideration of the application is well techniques.
appreciation of the
application. appreciation of the context of the considered, with
context of the Some appreciation context of the application, with extensive use of
application. of the context of the application, with perceptive use of relevant examples.
application. some use of examples, where
examples, where relevant. Application and
relevant. deployment extend
Evidence of some beyond established
originality, conventions.
innovation and Originality,
creativity. innovation and/or
creativity evident
throughout.
Communication Media is poorly Communication is Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate
media is designed and/or not not clear. effectively in a well, confidently professionally and, with an
inappropriate or suitable for the suitable format, but and consistently in a confidently in a exceptionally high
misapplied. audience. Limited may have minor suitable format. suitable format. level of
independent work errors. professionalism.
Little or no Poor independent or and limited Can work very well Can work
evidence of collaborative involvement in Can work autonomously and professionally Can work
autonomy in the initiative. group activities. effectively as part of a team, autonomously and exceptionally well
completion of tasks. autonomously and with very good within a team, and professionally
Work lacks Work lacks as part of a team, contribution to showing leadership autonomously and
with some group activities. skills as appropriate, within a team,
Work is poorly structure, coherence in places
involvement in managing conflict showing advanced
structured and/or organisation, and/or and is in need of
largely incoherent. coherence amendments to the group activities. Work is coherent and meeting leadership skills.
structure. and fluent and is obligations.
Mostly coherent well structured and Work is
work and is in a organised. Work is coherent, exceptionally
suitable structure. very fluent and is coherent, very fluent
presented and is presented
professionally. professionally.
Page 8