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Module Code: SM4008/LD4008
Module Title: Global and Transnational Business
Distributed on: Teaching Week 5 Hand in Date: 20th May 2019, 23:59
Further information about general assessment criteria, ARTA regulations, referencing and plagiarism can be found on the module’s site on the e-Learning Portal. Students are advised to read and follow this information.
Instructions on Assessment:
This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL piece of work. It represents 80% of assessment and of the module mark. Students are required to produce a report to analyse the relevant contexts and answer the questions below.
The context:
Walmart, the largest private sector employer with the highest revenue in the world, started its international foray by expanding into Mexico. Since then Walmart has become a global force operating in numerous countries. Its first European entry was into Germany. While its business in Mexico has never looked back, Walmart withdrew from Germany in less than a decade.
The question:
Why did Walmart succeed so well in Mexico but fail in Germany?
Frame your answer to the question as instructed below.
1) Analyse the market structure and competition, market demand characteristics, non-commercial factors in the two markets compared to the US, entry modes the company adopted and obstacles it faced in these foreign markets, and any other aspects you think are important to explain the different outcomes in the two countries.
2) By explaining what lessons from Mexico could have informed Walmart’s decision to enter Germany and succeed there, recommend what Walmart should take care to base their future German entry decision on.
In the above, relate to at least two theoretical frameworks to analyse what external factors have been responsible for the difference in outcome and to recommend on a possible future German entry.
Assignment Guidance Notes
Writing and submission instructions:
• The word limit for the assignment is 4000 words. See below for what is excluded from the word count.
• An electronic version of your assignment must be submitted via the Turnitin FINAL SUBMISSION link before submission of the hard copy to the PG office.
• Print on A4 paper with spacing preferably set at one-and-a-half lines.
• Write your analysis as a piece of business communication in report style, using headings and a numbering system, including any illustrations you think are useful. Using figures, charts and tables to reflect trend data can give strong support to arguments you make. Make sure all data sources used are properly explained and referenced.
• Avoid first person usage (I, we, us) in the report.
Instructions on crafting your Assignment:
• This is a research-based assignment. The assignment requires you to demonstrate that you understand and can use theoretical frameworks in your analysis. These need to be established business management or international business models. It is therefore expected that you apply appropriate concepts, i.e., models/ theoretical frameworks, studied in the module other than SWOT (Please note that SWOT may be a reasonable starting point but it should not be a main model in your analysis). Remember that you do not have to describe models in detail, only apply them well. Also, rather than applying every part equally, you may apply the relevant parts of the main models/ theoretical frameworks you choose to use. You may also draw briefly from models other than the two main ones you use.
• Your analytical discussion must be supported by a significant number of information sources as well as theory. You are free to gather the information you need from different authoritative sources to make your argument, but do not depend on websources that are not authoritative; a landmark journal article accessed through the web is an authoritative source but an opinion from some unknown source is not, let alone from a blog. Further opinions from the company’s own website (other than audited financial numbers) are not good support for your arguments.
• You should be thorough and detailed in your analysis, and should fully explain and justify all the points. However, there is a balance to be sought between a mass of detail and thorough, yet relatively concise, reasoning. Thus, your writing must be clear and concise.
• On studying the case question, do you yourself have a question such as: “What if I recommend Walmart should not strive to re-enter Germany?” If so, you will still need to argue with detailed analysis and support your recommendation. That will need similar analyses as recommending an German re-entry.
• Append only relevant information to support your discussion and analysis in the main body of the report. Appendices should be properly organised and the reader referred to the appropriate appendix at the appropriate point in the text.
• Cite sources of all researched data and theories/concepts/models on which your analysis is based so as not to be flagged as plagiarism. Use APA referencing style.
• Good to note: Referring to the Assessment Criteria at the end of this assessment brief may help you craft your submission well. Analysis will also include what you think the company could have done better. Please have a separate section for recommendation. How you structure the rest is your choice. ‘Alignment’ means how clearly your arguments and analysis link together and align with your recommendations; ‘general’ aspects mean clear formatting, flow, referencing style, etc.
General notes
Word limits and penalties for assignments
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:
• Title and Contents page • Reference list • Appendices • Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations
• Glossary • Bibliography • Quotes from interviews and focus groups.
Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.
If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA page 11 Section 1.13.2 this will be regarded as academic misconduct.
If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.
Students are advised that they may be asked to submit an electronic version of their assignment.
Time limits and penalties for presentations
The time allocated for the presentation must be adhered to. At the end of this time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has been delivered within the time limit.
Submission of Assessment:
All assignments must be submitted via the Newcastle Business School Office. Each assignment must be accompanied by an Assessed Work Form which must be completed in full. The assignment will not be accepted by the Newcastle Business School Office unless the form is completed correctly.
Marked assignments will be returned to students. It is advisable to retain a copy of your assignment for your own records. Your mark will be returned on the Assessed Work Form via the Newcastle Business School Office.
Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:
This assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme goals and objectives.
Goal One: Be independent, reflective critical thinkers
X 1. Demonstrate awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses through critical reflective practice.
2. Understand and challenge personal patterns of thinking and behaving.
Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware
1. Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.
2. Reflect on their own ethical values.
Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability
1. Demonstrate their personal contribution to team effectiveness.
X 2. Communicate complex issues effectively.
X 3. Demonstrate decision making and problem solving skills.
4. Carry out presentations and lead discussions.
Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory
X 1. Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions.
Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities
X 1. Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business, management or leadership topic of their choice.
X 2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business issues.
Goal Six: Have developed specialist knowledge about the theory and practice of your programme of study
X
1. Demonstrate specialist functional knowledge in relation to your programme of study.
Assessment Criteria (NBS)
Module Specific Assessment Criteria
Criterion 0%
Fail 1 – 49%
Fail 50 – 54%
Pass 55 – 59%
Pass 60 – 69%
Commendation 70 – 100%
Distinction Criterion mark
Analysis
40 %
Work not
submitted
OR
Work giving evidence of serious academic misconduct (subject to regulations in ARTA)
OR
Work showing no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. None of the learning outcomes are met.
[Mark 0] Inadequate understanding of theory with theoretical models inappropriately/ incorrectly used.
Weak research for theory and case information.
Weak, haphazard or incorrect arguments made on aspects of company’s foreign market strategies.
[Mark 1-14] Some analysis done showing a fair understanding of theory with two or three theoretical frameworks used. Research in theory/ relevant literature and for case specific information is just adequate.
Some research of the market data used. Reasonable analysis of company’s foreign market strategies.
[Mark 15] Some critical analysis done showing a good understanding of theory with three theoretical frameworks used. Research in theory/ relevant literature and for case specific information is evident but more trend data needed for supporting arguments.
Moderately strong analysis of the market and company’s relevant foreign market strategies.
[Mark 16-17] Very good understanding of theory evident with three theoretical frameworks used. Good research both in theory/ relevant literature and for case specific information with trend data.
Critical analysis of the market and company’s relevant foreign market strategies.
[Mark 18-20] Excellent understanding of theory demonstrated with at least three theoretical frameworks used exceptionally well. Excellent research both in theory/ relevant literature and for case specific information with extensive trend data.
Incisive analysis of the market and company’s relevant foreign market strategies.
[Mark 21-30]
Recommendation
20 % Although some recommendations are made, they do not follow from analyses made.
[Mark 1-14] Reasonable recommendations made but only partially justified.
[Mark 15] Plausible recommendations made; some questions left unaddressed.
[Mark 16-17] Very good, plausible recommendations for the future. Takes all relevant questions into account.
[Mark 18-20] Highly plausible and incisive recommendations for future taking major trends in the market and could be a real world consultant’s advice.
[Mark 21-30]
Alignment
20 % Arguments do not link different parts of the analysis and alignment of analysis with recommendation poor.
[Mark 1-9] Different parts of the analysis moderately linked and just enough alignment of recommendation and analysis evident.
[Mark 10] Different parts of the analysis reasonably well linked; analysis and recommendations align with analysis
[Mark 11] Different parts of the analysis very well linked; recommendations align very well with analysis.
[Mark 12-13] Excellent alignment of all parts of the report. Recommendations flow elegantly from analyses.
[Mark 14-20]
General
20 % Poor formatting, difficult to understand.
Most important references missing and serious errors in referencing.
[Mark 1-9] Reasonable formatting and flow.
Some reasonably strong references cited along with weak sources and some errors in APA referencing.
[Mark 10] Well organized. Good formatting and flow.
Several reasonable quality references and correct APA referencing but with some errors.
[Mark 11] Very good organisation and formatting for smooth flow of content.
Adequate quality references and sources for data used; correct APA referencing.
[Mark 12-13] Excellent organization. Written with clarity and finesse.
Exhaustive references for theory and data. Flawless APA referencing
[Mark 14-20]
TOTAL MARKS
Note:
– For those assessments or partial assessments based on calculation, multiple choice, etc., marks will be gained on an accumulative basis. In these cases, marks allocated to each section will be made clear. Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment and it must be made available within 24 hours of them requesting it be submitted.
– Percentages on the top row do not accurately correspond to the numerical marks in each criterion box which are approximated to the nearest whole number and to the advantage of the student as far as possible.
– This rubric is going to be used in the electronic marking of submissions with these descriptions and any additional comments for each criterion.
