HI5014 International Business across Borders
Purpose: This assignment is designed to assess your level of knowledge of the key topics covered in this unit
Words Limit: Up to 2000 words.
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessed.: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
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 pre-recorded tutorial questions for weeks 7 to 11 inclusive and submit these answers via the submission link in Blackboard site (HI5014: Menu Item Assessments) in a single word document.
The questions to be answered are:
Week 7:
Question 7.3. You are a supply chain manager at a UK firm. In 2010, a volcano broke out in Iceland, disrupting air travel across Europe. On the one hand, you are considering switching to local suppliers in the UK. On the other hand, you feel bad about abandoning your Asian suppliers, with whom you have built a pleasant personal and business relationship, and who – in the long run – may be able to delivery produce much cheaper. Yet, your tightly coordinated production cannot afford to miss one supply shipment. How do you proceed? (10 marks)
Week 8:
Read the case
“Appendix_Week_8T_C11_Better_Generation:_the_Global_Generation_of_Business”, and answer question 8.3.
Question 8.3. (10 marks)
- A fast internationalisation strategy for Better Generation has some associated risks. What are these risks? [3 Marks]
- Better Generation requires some resources for a fast internationalisation strategy. How can Better Generation build these resources? [3 Marks]
- How should Better Generation develop its international strategy in terms of countries chosen and entry modes? [4 Marks)
Week 9:
Question 9.3. Apply the VRIO framework on the given scenario in the case study Lego’s Secrets. (Appendix_Week_9T_C4_ Lego’s_Secrets) and discuss the sources of Lego’s success (10 marks)
Week 10:
Read the case
“Appendix_Week_10T_C15_Subsidiary_Initiative_at_Schenck_Shanghai_ Machinery” and answer question 10.3.
Question 10.3. (10 Marks)
- From a resource-based perspective: what resources are needed to develop a machine for a distance market, such as China, and where in the MNE are those to be found? [5 Marks]
- What kinds of adaptations are needed to compete in the ‘good enough’ segment in China? [5 Marks]
Week 11:
Question 11.2. (10 marks)
- You are working as accounting information system (AIS) expert in H&H, a Multinational Entity (MNE) for couple of years in Spain. One of its subsidiaries in an emerging country of Asia is developing their AIS. Management selected you for this expatriate assignment for the next three years. Your boss will have a meeting with you next week. What would you discuss with your boss? [5 Marks]
- You are working as the head of human resource department in an oil company. The high ups of your company asked you to select 12 expatriates to go to work in Iraq. You started working on it, nonetheless, you are concerned about the safely issues there. How do you proceed? [5 Marks]
Submission Directions:
The assignment must 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.