ADMIN 1017 Intro to International Business

Global Business Project

Value: 30% (Written: Part A 10%; Part B 10%, Oral PPT 10%)

Project Overview and Objective

Using the material and newly acquired knowledge in the course, students assigned in groups will complete a
Global Business Plan for the Introduction to International Business course. The written plan consists of two
separate parts (Part A and Part B), with one oral presentation on the results at the end of the term.

In Part A, students will apply their knowledge acquired in modules 1 to 6 by searching for and selecting a
Manitoba-based company with global operations and then assessing how well the company has adjusted to
country differences, culture, ethical issues, political issues and regional economies. Students will submit their
written report on Part A as the date identified by the instructor.

In Part B is focused on applying the learning from modules 7 to 12 to the chosen company. Students will
evaluate the company based on currency, firm strategy for specific markets, methods of market entry, how
transactions are completed, market research, logistical issues and production practices.

Students will make an oral presentation at the end of the course, showcasing what information they have
gathered and learned about their chosen global company, foreign markets and how they successfully penetrated
or failed to penetrate a market and the lessons learned.

Part A – Your Chosen Company and its Foreign Market(s) (10% value)

In this section of the written plan, students will explore the international business arena for a Manitoba-based
global company that will provide enough information needed to complete their major project. The chosen
company should have a comprehensive website, printed documents like annual reports and other sources of
information that can help students complete the project.

After a choice is made, students will apply the knowledge from modules 1 to 6 and thoroughly describe the
company, its products, ethics, culture, politics and regional differences in its markets. Students will use each
module of this project designed to gather information for the Part A component of the project. This section
should include a cover page, table of contents, appendix with appropriate citations and information on
modules 1 to 6, for a total of approximately 10 pages. A marking rubric will be used to grade the plan and will be
made available to students for guidance in the development of the written and oral portions of the major
project and will be provided in LEARN or by your instructor.

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 MODULE 1 – Globalization - Identifying a Global Business Company (1 page)
• Apply the definition of globalization to a chosen company and determine if it meets the criteria of being
global
• Describe how the company operates like a global company and provide specific examples that prove it is
truly global in nature with its goods or services

MODULE 2 – Analyzing Country Differences (1 page)

• Identify the types of political, economic, and legal systems that your chosen company operates in and
what the effects are or could be on the company
• Describe the economic conditions and its implications for doing business in this market (s)

MODULE 3 – Culture (1 page)

• Examine the cultural factors that affect the business environment of a nation and how that impacts the
company
• What adjustments must and did the company make in order to operate successfully in these cultural
environments

MODULE 4 – Ethics in International Markets (1 page)

• Describe what ethical issues exist in global markets that your company operates in and how that affects
decision-making, approaches to corporate social responsibilities and if there are additional costs or
resources needed for these adjustments.

MODULE 5 – Political Economy (1 page)

• Research the influence of domestic government regulations on business activities, including, but not
limited to, tariffs, non-tariffs, local content policies, subsidies, and quotas
• Describe how the company is dealing with these issues or has to adjust to them in order to be successful

MODULE 6 – Regional Economies (1 page)

• Explore what level of economic integration (trade agreements) exists in each market the company
operates in and how trade agreements provide opportunities or challenges for the company’s products
or services.
• Suggest strategies to cope with or accelerate business in these trade agreement markets

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 Part B – Foreign Market Strategy and Execution (10% value)

This part of the major project explores and assesses the company’s ability to plan and execute a strategic
initiative to capture foreign market opportunities. In this section, students will apply the knowledge from
modules 7 to 12 and explore and assess use of fixed or floating exchange rates, currency used, localized or
international strategy, entry modes, import, export or countertrade, current or required marketing research and
logistical / production chain issues.

Students will use each module of this project designed to gather information for the Part B component of the
project. This section will include everything from Part A, such as a cover page, table of contents, appendix with
appropriate citations, PLUS information on modules 7 to 12 and an executive summary page that will add up to
7 pages to the written report. The final written report will be approximately 20 pages in length. A marking rubric
will be used to grade the plan and will be made available to students for guidance in the development of the
written and oral portions of the major project and will be provided in LEARN or by your instructor.

MODULE 7 – Monetary System (1 page)

• Describe the type of monetary system used in the markets where your company does business and how
the local currency is treated by the company
• Explore floating and fixed exchange rates that affect your company’s ability to operate in chosen
markets and what actions can or should be taken to deal with currency fluctuations

MODULE 8 – Global Strategy (1 page)

• In this module students will look at what value creation, positioning, and strategic alliances applies their
chosen company and if they should pursue any additional changes
• Students will assess the company’s expansion, profitability and profit growth potential in the markets
they operate in and what strategy is being used or should be used for specific markets

MODULE 9 – Entering Foreign Markets (1 page)

• Students will gather information on the foreign market entries used by their company and modes of
entry like exporting, joint ventures or wholly owned subsidiaries
• Students will assess if these are the right entry strategies and if the company needs to pivot to new
entry strategies for current or future markets

MODULE 10 – Importing, Exporting and Countertrade (1 page)

• In this module, students will identify the pitfalls and promises of exporting and if they are impacting
their chosen company
• What type of export performance has the company had, what financial methods do they used for
getting paid and reducing global business risks
• Is there assistance from government agencies, or private sector associations for this company and how
would they be used

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 MODULE 11 – Global Market Research (1 page)
• How does this company view market research and product development and what commitment do they
place financially and strategically to market research?
• How does this affect the company’s communication, pricing distribution, product and segmentation
strategies?

MODULE 12 – Production & Logistics (1 page)

• Where does this company produce and what factors are impacting production and logistics?
• How do they manage a global value chain and what impact has the pandemic had on their supply chain?
• What strategy should they implement going forward to minimize barriers and maximize success in
targeted markets?

Due Dates:
All team members are expected to attend the Team scheduled team meeting with Kim. (See MS Teams
for schedule)

Business Approved
• September 7 (End of Class) – Instructor Approval of Manitoba-Based Business (Unique to each team)

Part A (Written Document)

• October 23 @ 11:59 pm - Soft Copy submitted to the appropriate Dropbox
• October 26 Start of Class – Hard copy.

Part B (Written Document) *Note this date may change

• December 4 @ 11:59 pm - Soft Copy submitted to the appropriate Dropbox
• December 7 Start of Class – Hard copy.

Part C (Oral Presentation) *Note this date may change

• December 6 @ 11:59 pm – PPT Soft Copy submitted to the appropriate Dropbox

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 Additional Grading and Evaluation Summary Points:
• The written component is worth 20% of your final grade, and the oral component is worth 10%.

• There will be a verbal presentation of your major project at the end of the term, dates to be
determined. An oral presentation must use visuals such as PowerPoint, video or other visual displays
(website, poster, newsletter).

• The Written assignment should be written in the third person and follow the format below:
o Use 1.5 spacing.
o Use Calibri or Arial font. Font size 11 (excluding the visual title page)
o Footer: Page numbers in the bottom right of each page; Group Number must be stated in the
bottom left of each page
o Written in paragraph form (excluding visual title page and table of contents)
o Parts A & B must contain a Visual cover page, table of contents, and appendix with appropriate
citations (APA format)
o Visual Cover page (Select from MS Word templates)
 Student Names
 Student Numbers
 Date Submitted
 Instructor’s name
 Name of Company
o Print – Single Side
o Paper – Spiral Bound

• The written assignments must be submitted in Dropbox by the group’s team captain. All the group
members and their names must be recorded in the documents and submitted prior to the deadline
outlined in LEARN. Save document as: Group Number, Company Name

• Late written assignments may be subject to late penalties of up to 20% per day. After three days, your
written assignment will no longer be accepted. There is no extension for an oral presentation unless
your instructor agrees to a change.

• You can ask your instructor questions about the project and progress at any time. The Instructor may
ask for a progress report at any time during the term. You should spend time each week working on the
project and not cram it all into the last week.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: All students in assigned groups must contribute toward all parts of the
written and oral project components in order to receive marks. Team members who do not
participate, contribute or avoid group work duties may not receive group marks. Groups need to
notify their instructor in advance if a team member is not contributing and not responding to
requests to help so marks can be accurately recorded.

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