Coursework 2 Individual International Strategic Plan

 

2. Coursework 2 Individual International Strategic Plan

 

Type of Assignment
Report
Word Count
3000 (excluding cover page, executive summary, table of contents, list of references and appendices).
Weighting
70%
Submission Date
Thursday 28th April via Blackboard by 12:59.
The link to submit will open one week before submission.
Introduction

Your Task
You are a strategy analyst and have been asked to prepare a report outlining the international growth strategy for a SME of your choice.
Submission Requirements
  • Font size: 14 for headings in the report, and 12 for text.
  • Line spacing: 1.5 line spacing in the entire report.
  • Use a ‘white’ background and do not superimpose this on images or logos.
  • You should use salient headings and sub-headings (numbered) throughout the report.
  • Try to standardise all charts and diagrams:  it is expected that you will reconfigure all tables or charts depicting data that adds value to your submission.  Cut and pasting of such diagrams will result in a reduced grade.
  • Please ensure you use Harvard referencing to cite all relevant literature and sources and include a valid list of references.
  • Avoid including unnecessary appendices.
  • Your research should be drawn from valid and reliable sources and include academic literature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report structure

The structure of the report should be as follows.

  • Executive Summary (indicative word count 200 words). Write this last.
  • Introduction (indicative word count 400). Present the purpose of your report, what is in the report and reveal the report’s main conclusions. Write this second last, just before the executive summary.

 

  • A brief description of the SME you have chosen to analyse, including a critical examination of the company’s resources and capabilities leading to a VRIO analysis (see week 4) in table form (indicative word count 500).
  •  
  • Identify and analyse the industry’s globalisation potential using Yip’s model of globalisation drivers (week 7). (indicative word count 500).  
  • A critical analysis of the SME’s industry in terms of Prahalad and Doz model or matrix of international structure and strategy (see week 8). (indicative word count 500).  
  • An action plan for entering chosen markets (week 9). Explain which markets the company should target (2 -3) and how they should enter these markets (indicative word count 500).
  •  
  • Conclusion (indicative word count 400)
  • Bibliography. Don’t forget to use Westminster/Harvard referencing. The guide to this system can be found on the student hub. Not referencing your work correctly will lead to the loss of points.

 

 

 

 

Assessment criteria for Coursework

Criterion for Group Research Project
Weighting
Introduction and Executive Summary
What is this report, what are the main conclusions

10%

A brief description of the SME, including resources and capabilities (week 4)

20%

Identify and analyse the industry’s key globalisation drivers using Yip’s model (week 7).

20%

A critical analysis of the SME’s industry in terms of international structure and strategy using Bartlett and Ghoshal’s matrix (week 8).

20%

Action plan for the company’s international expansion (week 9), including choice of markets (countries) and possible market entry mode(s).

20%

Presentation, format.
Quality of writing. Quality of argument. Critical analysis of problem, goal and company actions. Correct referencing. Page numbers.

10%

The pass mark for the module is 50%. To pass overall, the overall total calculated from adding weighted marks in each assessment component must be 50% (If your mark for the module is between 0-49% you will be required to complete one or more referral assessments and your mark for these will be capped at 50%).

Unless explicitly indicated otherwise all coursework must be submitted electronically via Blackboard. In addition to the detail given below, further information may be posted onto the Blackboard site for the module.

Assessment General Threshold Criteria for Level 7:

 

80-100
An outstanding piece of work: All assessment criteria have been met at an exceptionally high standard.
Displays exceptional initiative, creativity, sophistication and originality.
Provides insightful analysis.
Demonstrates originality and rigour of argument.
Shows independent synthesis of ideas and understanding.
Demonstrates reflexivity and critical analysis to generate transformative solutions/responses.
Demonstrates substantial independent research.
Communicates complexity clearly and succinctly with excellent standard of presentation.
70-79
.
An excellent piece of work: All assessment criteria have been met at a high standard.
Demonstrates sophisticated understanding across the field of study and related areas.
Draws on a range of techniques and information sources for independent analysis.
Demonstrates creativity and flair in task/enquiry.
Provides robust and insightful argument.
Provides a high quality critical and reflexive analysis.
Demonstrates substantial independent research
Communicates ideas clearly and succinctly with good standard of presentation.
60-69
.
A good piece of work: All assessment criteria have been met at a good standard.
Demonstrates breadth and/or depth of understanding across the field of study and related areas.
Synthesises knowledge to address task/enquiry.
Presents argument cogently and clearly.
Demonstrates extensive research and critical use of resources.
Communicates ideas clearly with a good standard of presentation.
50-59
A sound piece of work: All assessment criteria have clearly been met.
Demonstrates understanding of appropriate range of concepts and theoretical approaches.
Provides an argument to frame response to enquiry/task.
Uses a range of relevant sources provided to undertake research.
Undertakes meaningful analysis/reflection in relation to the enquiry/task.
Communicates ideas using an appropriate format with few weaknesses in presentation.
40-49
.
FAIL: An inadequate piece of work: One or more relevant assessment criteria are not met.
Provides clear limitations in the range of concepts/principles explored.
Demonstrates lack of clarity and depth of understanding in relation to the task/enquiry.
Uses a narrow range of sources to support task/enquiry.
Provides limited analysis/reflection.
Communication is unclear with significant weaknesses in presentation.
39-0
.
FAIL: A poor piece of work: Most of the relevant assessment criteria area not been met.
Demonstrates poor understanding of key concepts and principles.
Shows significant weaknesses and omissions in completing the task.
Omits analysis/reflection.
Uses inadequate information sources.
Communication is unclear with significant weaknesses in presentation.

 

Referencing requirements for assignments

Statements, assertions and ideas made in coursework should be supported by citing relevant sources. Sources cited in the text should be listed at the end of the assignment in a reference list. Any material that you read but do not cite in the report should go into a separate bibliography. Unless explicitly stated otherwise by the module teaching team, all referencing should be in Westminster Harvard format. If you are not sure about this, the library provides guidance (available via the library website pages).

 

Difficulties in submitting assignments on time

If you have difficulties for reasons beyond your control (e.g. serious illness, family problems etc.) that prevent you from submitting the assignment, make sure you apply to the Mitigating Circumstances board with evidence to support your claim as soon as possible. The WBS Registry or your personal tutor can advise on this.

 

 

Submitting your coursework - checks

Unless indicated otherwise, coursework is submitted via Blackboard. On the Blackboard home page for the module you will find a button on the menu called ‘Submit Coursework’. Clicking this will take you to the submission link.

At busy times the coursework submission process may run slowly. To ensure that your submission is not recorded as a late submission, avoid submitting very close to the deadline. 

 

REMEMBER

It is a requirement that you submit your work in this way. All coursework must be submitted by 13:00 (UK Time on the due date).

If you submit your coursework late but within 24 hours or one ‘working’ day of the specified deadline, 10% of the overall marks available for that assessment will be deducted as a penalty for late submission, except for work which is marked in the range 50-59%, in which case the mark will be capped at the pass mark (50%).

If you submit your coursework more than 24 hours or more than one ‘working’ day after the specified deadline you will be given a mark of zero for the work in question.

The University’s mitigating circumstances procedures relating to the non-submission or late submission of coursework apply to all coursework.

If you are unclear about this, speak to your class leader or module leader.