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BO6203 Assignment Briefing (Level 6)

Q1. China has maintained its superpower of manufacturing in ‘general merchandise’ over the last couple of decades in the world economy. However, it has been speculated by some analysts that China might lose its position in the forthcoming years. Which country, do you think, would be the next nation to take over China’s position and why? You should choose one nation only and provide your argument for AND against your choice in your answer.

Q2. A multi-national company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea is a relatively new entrant to highly competitive automobile industry. The CEO of this company now plans to build a new manufacturing factory to produce a newly developed electric car after years of R&D efforts. Assuming yourself to be the CEO of the company, explain and justify your decision on which country to locate this factory. Please note that the potential candidates for the location are Poland, France, and Spain. You also bear in mind that your target market is the European Union only. The choice of location should be fully supported by comparative analysis between the candidates. (500 words)

Q3. Choose and research a legal entity created from either an international joint venture or an international M&A (mergers and acquisition) agreement where only two organisations have been involved. Describe the characteristics of any strategic issue or operational issue (discuss only a single issue) faced by the partners and analyse the causes of the issue. A time frame for a creation of the entity should be post 2015. (500 words)

Q4. Choose a branded product of any UK company (For example: Walkers Crisps, Dyson Vacuum Cleaner) that is widely marketed in the UK at the moment but not yet available in one of the following nations: 1) India, 2) China, 3) Brazil, 4) Indonesia, 5) Russia, or 6) Republic of South Africa and discuss which elements of the marketing mix that you think are important to keep fairly standard and those it may be necessary to adapt when marketing that product in one of your chosen nations. Give reasons for each of your decisions. Discuss only 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion) in your answer. (500 words)

Q1. You can choose any international company, who has faced any one of the country risks: political, economic, operational or competitive, in the last 12 months in one of the following regions: 1) South America, 2) Africa, 3) Central Asia, and 4) Middle East. Identify, analyse and manage the risk as if you were employed as a consultant by your chosen company. Any risk management technique which has already been adopted and utilised by the chosen company will NOT be accepted in your answer. (500 words)

Q2. You have been promoted to HR Director in the Swedish company which manufactures and sells the medical equipment (MRI scanner). Being very hi-tech, the equipment have until now been made in Sweden by the company’s skilled team. Your employer has just purchased a factory in Mexico for the manufacture of medical equipment that have been selling well in the USA. There is a budget for three expatriate managers to be sent to manage its operation in Mexico for four years. The CEO has asked you to recommend the job title for three expatriates with your justification for each job title and prepare a plan to help these expatriates’ early settlement in Mexico. (500 words)

Q3. Choose any international company who has outsourced one of its business functions to a local company in their international operation (For example: DHL’s use of local Indian company for its inbound freight distribution in India) and critically discuss the benefits and drawbacks of its outsourcing arrangement with the local company. An outsourcing arrangement between the two companies should be post 2010. (500 words)

Q4. Recently, a notion of ‘Industry 4.0’ or ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ has become of a centre of attention in the business world. Some associated technologies, such as additive manufacturing, advanced robotics, Drones, IoT, Blockchain, and AI, have been rapidly developing and many firms are contemplating different ways to exploit these technologies. Choose any international company utilising one of these technologies and discuss their journey in moving away from its traditional business to more sustainable business. (500 words)