Module Name

International Business Environment and Trade

Module Code

BS7312

Assignment Title

Decision making and challenges in global business

Type of Submission

Coursework (Individual) – 50%

Word Count/Time allocation (for presentations)

2,500 words (+/-10%) excluding executive summary and appendices)

Issue Date

7 November 2020

Submission Date

27 November 2020 at 22:59 UK 23:59 German time

Date of Feedback to Students

20 working days

Where feedback can be found

Brief comments on the electronic script, summary comments in the “Comments” box and a breakdown of the allocation of marks in the “rubric” on Canvas

Assignment Task

This individual coursework needs to balance theory and practical experience analysing the IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge: Indian Rugs and Child Labor case study which is posted separately.

 Assignment tasks: Analyse the above IKEA case study using the models discussed in the class. There is considerable flexibility in how you can write the report, however the following issues should be considered for a successful report:

·         Explaining the context of IKEA’s  strategy based on the business environment, problem areas and IKEA’s overall strategy using the frameworks studied in the module (e.g., international, multinational, global, or transnational).

·         Evaluating the effectiveness of IKEA’s CSR stance (i.e. exploitive, transactional, responsive or transformative) as it deals with ethical sourcing issues past and present.

·         Choose and justify one of the strategic choices suggested by the case study to deal with the Indian rug issues.  Discuss potential implementation issues.

Your analysis should focus on key challenges facing the company, employing the models and tools taught in the module.  As this case study is extensive and your paper is limited by wordcount, not all of the issues facing the company need to be covered; instead, you should focus on covering your chosen challenges in considerable depth.  As with all  cases, there are a number of acceptable approaches and there is no ‘right’ answer.

Structure of the report: The structure of the report should include a table of contents (with page numbers); a brief introduction which explains the focus of the case study; a main report analysing the company’s problems and actions using applicable theories taught in the module and conclusions and recommendations which are clearly based on the previous analysis; an alphabetical list of references cited in the main text; and appendices.

The 2500 word limit (+/- 10%) does not include the table of contents, list of references or appendices.

Allocated Marks

Problem identification – identification of the key problems facing the company which is the basis for your analysis.

20%

Detailed international business analysis

Clear and insightful analysis of above problems.

30%

Understanding the theoretical underpinning

Providing key relevant concepts taught in the module and applying them in addressing the company’s problems.

30%

Providing clear recommendations – these should clearly and logically flow from your previous analysis

10%

Presentation and clarity of expression - the quality of the report presentation and the extent to which the report is written in appropriate and accessible language.

10%

Penalty (if any) for exceeding word count

Will be taken into consideration in overall structure and if superfluous content is include, marked down accordingly