SCQF LEVEL 8 ASSIGNMENT

SPECIFICATION

Programme: Diploma in Business Module Level SCQF Level 8

Administration
HY8P 04
Module: International Business Module code:
Contribution to Overall
100% Assignment No(s): 1
Module Assessment (%):
Assignment Title(s): Internationalisation Process

Assessor: Sharjana Shaily Internal Verifier: Zoeb Ur Rahman

Hand Out Date: 16th March 2020 Submission 23rd April 2020
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 quoted 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).
Disclosure: Please include the following statement on the title page of the submitted assignment, followed
by your name:

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used from the published or unpublished works of other people.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
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 will result in a late penalty mark. NO
Penalties for late submission - maximum mark of 40%. - Refer.
Only the LSC Extenuating Circumstances Panel may grant an extension.

1
Learning Outcomes tested
(from module syllabus)
1. Evaluate international business practices and discuss
how they are being shaped by economic theories,
financial, socio-cultural and political forces; with
particular emphasis on the business practices of UK’s
major trading partners
2. Evaluate the key elements of the international
environment which have an impact on the activities of
international firms.
3. Analyse the basis and recent patterns of
international trade and investment.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of
market selection techniques.
5. Select appropriate methods of international market
entry and development.
6. Comment critically on the main methods of risk
minimisation available to international companies.
7. Apply appropriate concepts and theoretical
frameworks to the workplace experience.
LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business
Assessment Criteria - To achieve each outcome a
student must demonstrate:
 Student should be able to critically evaluate the
international business practices required for the
scenario under discussion and evaluate the impacts
of the PESTLE factors of the host country on the
international business.
 Student should be able to critically evaluate some
of the key elements of the international environment
which have an impact on the scenario under discussion.
 Student should demonstrate the ability to analyse
the patterns of international trade and investments
done by the selected company.
 Student should be able to justify the basis of the
host country selection for the internationalisation
process.
 Student should be able to demonstrate the ability
to propose the most appropriate entry strategy and
the internationalisation strategy for the scenario
under discussion.
 Student should be able to identify the main risks in
the internationalisation process together with the
proposed actions for risk mitigation.
 Student should be able to demonstrate the ability
to apply relevant theories and models to the
scenario under discussion.
Page 2 of 7
 TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT 1
BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

Select any organisation which is conducting international business and is looking to further expand its
business internationally by entering a new country and to trade its product(s) or service(s). You have
been hired as a consultant to help them develop an International business strategy. You should mainly
cover the following: -

TASKS

Task 1
Analyse the current patterns of international trade and investments done by the selected company.
(Approximately 350 words)
This task addresses LO3

Task 2
Analyse two potential new countries with which this company is not doing any form of international
business now. Critically evaluate which country you would recommend them to enter and trade with based
on the evaluation of the impacts of the macro environment factors, which should be analysed with the
application of the external analysis. Analyse the national competitiveness of the host country with the
application of the competitive and industry analysis.
(Approximately 1100 words)
This task addresses LO1, LO2, LO4 and LO7

Task 3
Discuss the impacts of cultures on business negotiation. Analyse the culture of the selected host country
with the application of a culture theory of your choice and evaluate its impacts on the internationalisation
process of the company.

(Approximately 650 words)

This task addresses LO2 and LO7

Task 4
Propose the most appropriate entry strategy and the internationalisation strategy for the scenario under
discussion, together with critical reasoning and justifications.
(Approximately 400 words)
This task addresses LO5

Task 5
Identify the potential risks for the proposed internationalisation process and propose actions for risk
mitigation.
(Approximately 500 words)
This task addresses LO6
LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business Page 3 of 7
LENGTH REQUIRED

3000 words +/- 10%.

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. Formatting: Typed in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge,
double spaced and pages numbered.
4. Document format: Report
5. Provide a clear title, course, and your name or ID number on a cover sheet
6. Provide a list of references and a list of bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout.
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.

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.

LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business Page 4 of 7

 MARKING CRITERIA AND STUDENT FEEDBACK – ASSIGNMENT 1
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.

AwardedMarks
availableMarks
Common Assessment Criteria Applied

1. Research-informed Literature
Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate
referencing conventions.

Use of relevant and credible sources of evidence and literature.

15

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the
discipline.

20
Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying
principles associated with the subject area.

3. Analysis
Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation of
ideas and evidence

25
Breadth and depth of critical analysis of the scenario, issues and impacts.

4. Practical Application and Deployment

Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of
innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.

30
Ability to apply relevant theories, models and concepts to the scenario under discussion.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate
media; presentation and organisation.

Appropriate use relevant methodologies and high level of professionalism showcased 10

throughout the coursework.

TOTAL 100

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at

the Exam Board. These comments and marks are to give feedback on Late Submission Penalties (tick if %
module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. ) appropriate)

LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business Page 5 of 7

 GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS
NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria above.

1. Research-informed Literature
Your work must be informed and supported by scholarly material that is relevant to and focused on the task(s) set.
You should provide evidence that you have accessed a wide range of sources, which may be academic,
governmental and industrial; these sources may include academic journal articles, textbooks, current news articles,
organisational documents, and websites. You should consider the credibility of your sources; academic journals are
normally highly credible sources while websites require careful consideration/selection and should be used
sparingly. Any sources you use should be current and up-to-date, mostly published within the last five years or so,
though seminal/important works in the field may be older. You must provide evidence of your research/own reading
throughout your work, using in-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list that is alphabetical
at the end of your work. Please use the Harvard referencing system.

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. Knowledge relates to the facts, information and skills you have acquired
through your learning. You demonstrate your understanding by interpreting the meaning of the facts and
information (knowledge). This means that you need to select and include in your work the concepts, techniques,
models, theories, etc. appropriate to the task(s) set. You should be able to explain the theories, concepts, etc.
meaningfully to show your understanding. Your mark/grade will also depend upon the extent to which you
demonstrate your knowledge and understanding; ideally each should be complete and detailed, with comprehensive
coverage.

3. Analysis
Your work must contain evidence of logical, analytical thinking, evaluation and synthesis. For example, to examine
and break information down into parts, make inferences, compile, compare and contrast information. This means
not just describing What! but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? At all times, you must provide
justification for your arguments and judgements. Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others within
the subject area is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work. Furthermore, you
should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments using data and
concepts. Sound, valid conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work. There should
be no new information presented within your conclusion. Where relevant, alternative solutions and
recommendations may be proposed.

4. Practical Application and Deployment

You should be able to demonstrate how the subject-related concepts and ideas relate to real world situations or a
particular context. How do they work in practice? You will deploy models, methods, techniques, and/or theories, in
that context, to assess current situations, perhaps to formulate plans or solutions to solve problems, some of which
may be innovative and creative. This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world examples and cases, the
application of a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one organisation against others based on stated
criteria. You should show awareness of the limitations of concepts and theories when applied in particular contexts.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of the attributes expected in professional practice. This includes demonstrating
your individual initiative and/or collaborative working. You must communicate effectively in a suitable format, which
may be written and/or oral, for example, essay, management report, presentation. Work should be coherent and
well-structured in presentation and organisation.

LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business Page 6 of 7

UNDERGRADUATE - COMMON ASSESSMENT AND MARKING CRITERIA
OUTRIGHT FAIL UNSATISFACTORY Marginal Pass GOOD VERY GOOD EXCELLENT EXCEPTIONAL

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

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

2. Knowledge and Major gaps in Gaps in knowledge, Evidence of basic Knowledge is Knowledge is Excellent knowledge Highly detailed
knowledge and with only superficial knowledge and accurate with a extensive. Exhibits and understanding knowledge and
Understanding of understanding of understanding. understanding of good understanding understanding of of the main understanding of
Subject material at this Some significant the relevant of the field of study. the breadth and concepts and key the main
Extent of knowledge and level. Substantial inaccuracies. concepts and depth of established theories. Clear theories/concepts,
inaccuracies. underlying views. awareness of and a critical
understanding of principles. challenges to awareness of the
concepts and underlying established views ambiguities and
principles associated and the limitations limitations of
of the knowledge knowledge.
with the discipline. base.

3. Analysis Unsubstantiated Some evidence of Evidence of some Evidence of some Sound, logical, Thoroughly logical Exceptional work;
generalisations, analytical logical, analytical logical, analytical analytical thinking; work, supported by judiciously
Analysis, evaluation and made without use intellectual skills, thinking and some thinking and synthesis and evaluated evidence. selected and
synthesis; logic, of any credible but for the most attempts to synthesis. Can evaluation. Ability High quality evaluated
argument and evidence. Lack of part descriptive. synthesise, albeit analyse new and/or to devise and analysis, developed evidence. Very
logic, leading to Ideas/findings with some abstract data and sustain persuasive independently or high quality
judgement; analytical unsupportable/ sometimes illogical weaknesses. situations without arguments, and to through effective analysis,
reflection; organisation missing conclusions. and contradictory. Some evidence to guidance. review the collaboration. developed
of ideas and evidence Lack of any attempt Generalised support findings/ An emerging reliability, validity & Ability to investigate independently or
to analyse, statements made views, but evidence awareness of significance of contradictory through effective
synthesise or with scant evidence. not consistently different stances evidence. Ability to information and collaboration.
evaluate. Conclusions lack interpreted. and ability to use communicate ideas identify reasons for Ability to
relevance. Some relevant evidence to support and evidence contradictions. investigate
conclusions and the argument. accurately and Strong, persuasive, contradictory
recommendations, Valid conclusions convincingly. conclusions, information and
where relevant and Sound, convincing justifiable identify reasons
recommendations, conclusions / recommendations. for contradictions.
where relevant recommendations. Highly persuasive
conclusions
4. Practical Application Limited or no use of Rudimentary An adequate A good and A very good An advanced Outstanding levels
methods, materials, application of awareness and appropriate application of a application of a of application and
and Deployment tools and/or methods, materials, mostly appropriate application of range of methods, range of methods, deployment skills.
Effective deployment of techniques. tools and/or application of well standard methods, materials, tools materials, tools Assimilation and
appropriate methods, Little or no techniques but established materials, tools and/or techniques. and/or techniques. development of
appreciation of the without methods, materials, and/or techniques. Very good The context of the cutting edge
materials, tools and context of the consideration and tools and/or Good appreciation consideration of the application is well processes and
techniques; extent of application. competence. techniques. of the context of the context of the considered, with techniques.
skill demonstrated in the Flawed appreciation Basic appreciation application, with application, with extensive use of
of the context of the of the context of the some use of perceptive use of relevant examples.
application of concepts application. application. examples, where examples, where Application and
to a variety of processes relevant. relevant. deployment extend
and/or contexts; Evidence of some beyond established
innovation and conventions.
formulation of innovative creativity. Innovation and
and creative solutions to creativity evident
solve problems. throughout.

5. Skills for Professional Communication Media is poorly Can communicate in Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate Can communicate
media is designed and/or not a suitable format effectively in a well, confidently professionally and, with an
Practice inappropriate or suitable for the but with some room suitable format, but and consistently in a confidently in a exceptionally high
Demonstrates attributes misapplied. audience. for improvement. may have minor suitable format. suitable format. level of
expected in professional Little or no evidence Poor independent Can work as part of errors. Can work very well Can work professionalism.
of autonomy in the or collaborative a team, but with Can work effectively as part of a team, professionally Can work
practice including: completion of tasks. initiative. limited involvement as part of a team, with very good within a team, exceptionally well
individual initiative and Work is poorly Work lacks in group activities. with clear contribution to showing leadership and professionally
collaborative working; structured and/or structure, Work lacks contribution to group activities. skills as appropriate, within a team,
largely incoherent. organisation, and/or coherence in places group activities. Work is coherent managing conflict showing advanced
deployment of coherence and could be better Mostly coherent and fluent and is and meeting leadership skills.
appropriate media to structured. work and is in a well structured and obligations. Work is
communicate (including suitable structure. organised. Work is coherent, exceptionally
very fluent and is coherent, very
written and oral); clarity presented fluent and is
and effectiveness in professionally. presented
presentation and professionally.
organisation.

LSC SQA SCQF Level 8 Assessment Specification - International Business Page 7 of 7