Module

Strategic International Business Management

Level 7

Title of Assignment

Mid-Term Assignment– International Strategy(July 2017)

Programmes undertaking the assignment

Hand-in date

To be submitted via OnlineCampus

Weighting within the module

50%

Word limit

3000 words (+ / – 10%); the suggested word limits in the ‘Details of the Assignment’ are based on your using the extra 10% and are merely indicative.

Details of the Assignment

1.Identify a potentially attractive target market for the company’s future international expansion strategy. You will be provided with 3 specific countries below to choose from. In order to identify which of these 3 countries represents a potentially attractive target market, you are required to undertake a comparative PESTEL analysis of the macro-environmental factors of the 3 countries.

– Worth 30% of the overall mark; not included in the word count.

This background analysis must be included as an appendix and must be no more than 5 pages in length.

2. Discussyour rationale for the selection of your chosen market. Your rationale should be justified with a more detailed discussion of your PESTEL analysis of the macro-environmental factors of your chosen market which you have presented in the appendix.

– Worth 15% of the overall mark; 700 words.

This task must be presented in the first section of the main body of your report.

3.Critically analyse the opportunities and threats in the firm’s industrial environment in your chosen market. Application of a relevant model or framework such as the 5-Forces analysis is required – a SWOT analysis isnot acceptable.

– Worth 20% of the overall mark; 950 words.

This task must be presented in the second section of the main body of your report.

4.Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses in the firm’s internal environment which may support or challenge the firm’s expansion into your chosen market. Application of a relevant model or framework such as a VRIO analysis is required – a SWOT analysis isnot acceptable.

– Worth 15% of the overall mark; 700 words.

This task must be presented in the third section of the main body of your report.

5. Evaluate the various modes of entry available to the firm and recommend – with justification based on the findings of your analyses in Tasks 2, 3 & 4 above – the most suitable mode of entry that willenable this strategic international expansion to be a success for the firm.

– Worth 20% of the overall mark; 950 words.

This task must be presented in the fourth and final section of the main body of your report.

You are strongly advised to structure your report in the same order as the assignment tasks set out above.

Remember to include a list of references used at the end of the report (presented Harvard style).

Countries to choose from:

• Czech Republic
• Ireland
• Lithuania

Learning Outcomes to be assessed

• Critically review the strategy of an organisation in light of international business issues, applying relevant theories and concepts
• Produce a creative strategic solution to a business problem for an organisation facing diverse challenges, taking into account the firm’s external and internal environments

·         Develop their analytical and problem solving skills.

·         Improve their research skills and data analysis.

·         Work both individually and collaboratively to solve a given problem.

·         Develop effective written and oral communication and presentational skills.

·         Improve their planning, organising and time management skills.

• Degree of knowledge and understanding of the module subject
• Ability to develop an argument which is clearly justified and relevant to the particular circumstances of the situation under consideration
• Ability to develop an argument which is well structured
• Breadth and depth of reading from the relevant academic literature
• Ability to critically synthesise and apply relevant theories and concepts from a range of sources
• Ability to apply the Harvard referencing system in the correct manner
• Ability to collect and analyse relevant data
• Ability to identify and evaluate a range of strategic options relevant to the particular circumstances of the situation under consideration
• Degree of originality in generating relevant and justified solutions to the business problem under consideration
• Professionalism of presentation
• Ability to manage time to submit by the deadline
• Academic good conduct

On this assignment all your work must be your own. Presenting as one’s own the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form is cheating (plagiarism). If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, detailed guidelines on how to avoid it can be found at .

Plagiarism will not be tolerated and ignorance will not be excused. Students found plagiarising may be excluded from the University.