HC3031: Global Business Environment Trends
Purpose: This assignment is designed to assess your level of knowledge of the key topics covered in this unit
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessed:
- Discover, analyse and evaluate social, economic, political, and technological trends both in particular countries and across the globe.
- Analyse and evaluate trends to assess how these trends may impact on business in general or on a specific organisation.
- Apply research skills to assist clients to evaluate social, economic, political, and technological trends.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the academic literature on the macro environment and a capacity pursues life-long learning.
- Demonstrate the capacity to write persuasive reports containing sound recommendations, in preparation for a career in business or government.
Description: Each week students were provided with three tutorial questions of varying degrees of difficulty. These tutorial questions are available in the Tutorial Folder for each week on Blackboard. The Interactive Tutorials are designed to assist students with the process, skills and knowledge to answer the provided tutorial questions. Your task is to answer a selection of tutorial questions covered over Week 2 to Week 11 inclusive. The assessment contains 6 questions. Answer all 6 questions.
Students who cite a minimum of 12 peer-reviewed academic articles (in total) in the text to support their assertions, and list all references appropriately at the end of the report using Harvard referencing style may receive higher marks than those who do not cite relevant materials.
The questions to be answered are:
Question 1 (7 marks) (Week 3)
How do Gannon’s cultural metaphors differ from how Hofstede uses culture to classify countries? (Support your arguments with key research findings on diversity management). Answer this question in 300 words.
Question 2: (7 marks) Week 5
Which do you think would be more effective for shaping long-term ethical behaviour in an organisation: a written code of ethics combined with ethics training or strong ethical leadership? Which would have more impact on you? Why? (Support your arguments with key research findings on organisational ethics). Answer this question in 300 words.
Question 3: (11 marks) Week 5
A business executive once said, ‘A company’s first obligation is to be profitable. Unprofitable enterprises can’t afford to be socially responsible’. Define the concept of ‘corporate social responsibility’ and how to evaluate it along with economic, legal, ethical and discretionary criteria. In your opinion, what are some difficulties in understanding social responsibility in today’s organisations? (Support your arguments with key research findings on CSR in contemporary organisations). Answer this question in 300 words.
Question 4: (11 marks) Week 6
Identify a multinational enterprise (MNE) that has operating facilities in your neighborhood or state. Determine the national origin of that company and its motive for choosing your state.
(Support your arguments with key research findings). Answer this question in 300 words.
Question 5: (7 marks) Week 11
Today’s companies are rewiring their organisations for creativity and innovation. Businesses must develop improved production technologies, create new products and services desired in the marketplace, implement new administrative systems and upgrade employees’ skills. How can organisations establish a climate and culture for creative thinking and what are some leadership practices that enhance innovation? (Support your arguments with key research findings). Answer this question in 300 words).
Question 6: (7 marks) Week 7:
Compare and contrast the following organisational structures: functional structure, product structure, market structure, and geographical region structure. Which type of company often adopts hybrid structures? (Support your arguments with key research findings). Answer this question in 300 words).
Submission Directions:
The assignment has to be submitted via Blackboard. Each student will be permitted One submission to Blackboard only. Each student needs to ensure that the document submitted is the correct one.