Instructor:

Due Date:

Report                                    20-25 pages, 12 point font, 1.5 spacing. Title page, TOC, References and Appendices extra.

Weight:                                   30% (10% individual, 20% group)

Group members:                    Maximum 4

 

An integrated group project which analyses a given business scenario, and requires students to propose and develop trade related strategies for an international business or organization based in the UAE.

This can be import or export related in either goods or services. Consideration will be given to government and non-government organizations with trade related interests.

 

This project requires both primary and secondary research in the areas of international business and may make use of the same research materials and methods required in International Marketing for Global Competitiveness Bus-4653 and/or International Human Resource Management BUS-4353.

 

In this project you are asked to identify a UAE based company:

• present that company,
• establish their existing trading environment (what do they trade to/with whom),
• explore potential trading opportunities, either or both in the format of new good and service to export/import, and in exploring markets from which to export/import,
• and analyse the feasibility of your proposal for the company you selected.

 

The group will identify and conduct interviews with the identified UAE based companies to determine challenges or opportunities in import/export. Interviews will require the creation of a semi-structure interview form and the report must include the interview transcripts as part of the appendices.

 

Your analysis will require that you take into account the following:

 

• Presentation of the company and its main trading activities
• Rationale for choosing a particular good/service/market for a new trade opportunity in the given company.
• Analysis of the trading environment and policy in the UAE for the sector/industry/good your project is focusing on.
• Analysis of the trading environment and policy in the trading partner country for the sector/industry/good your project is focusing on.
• In light of the external environment analysis, a discussion of the feasibility of your proposed opportunities given your chosen company’s internal environment.
• Throughout, your project should refer/make use of the material covered in class regarding: trade policy, regional trading blocks, import/export management, internal/external environment analysis models, global competitive environment and exchange rates.

 

 

Content

 

Executive Summary

 

This is the short, concise version of your document. If the instructor reads this they should know the main ideas you propose and the STRATEGIC actions you are recommending.

Briefly describe the recommendations and priorities. This is a summary.

Introduction

 

This section presents the company, main activities and challenges. It should define the opportunity or problem clearly.   The product chosen should be discussed presenting its attributes the main target market, the country of destination or origin should be briefly presented and the rationale for choosing this product and country.  The plan for the project should also be presented.

 

World Industry Analysis

 

This requires secondary research into the nature of the industry. The general trends affecting this industry are highlighted (e.g. main regional players and competitors, main countries exporting and importing within that industry, world demand and global sales trends in that industry). Specific Trade patterns for the product/service are analyzed.

 

 

 

 

External Country Analysis

 

The particular market (country) selected is examined in detail to assess the feasibility of the trade venture chosen (export or import) between the selected country and the UAE. A PESTLE framework could be used for this analysis and the analysis should include aggregate economic data, any trade agreements, trade restrictions, licenses or duties and all relevant element of the PESTLE framework.

 

Internal Analysis

 

The focus for this section is your target company. From the information collected during interviews and supported with secondary data, you are assessing the capacity of the company relative to the challenge or opportunity you have identified i.e. you should conduct a SWOT analysis on the internal capacity of the company to export or import the product chosen. The opportunities and threat of the SWOT should be populated with the ideas generated from the PESTLE analysis and the industry analysis in the two previous section.

 

Findings, Implication and Recommendations

 

This section brings together the key findings from your research. This summary will then form the basis of your recommendations. These recommendations have to be specific action that the company should undertake. Your group has been hired to give the organization answers, not recommend more studies.

 

References

 

List of references

 

Appendix

 

Should include any supplementary documents, including the interview transcript with the company.

 

 

 

Suggested Format BUS-4663 Term Project	Assessment Information	Requirement* In all sections good critical thinking skills are expected, and are part of the grade.	Marks	Page* estimates
Executive Summary	Briefly describe the recommendations and priorities	This is the short, concise version of your document. If the instructor reads this they should know the main ideas you propose and the STRATEGIC actions you are recommending.	included	1-2 paragraphs
Introduction and Overview	Definition of the problems identifying key and priority considerations. Define the opportunity or problem clearly.	Problem/Opportunity definition	10	1 -2
External Analysis – World Industry	Industry analysis : discuss the main trends in your industry:	Measurements, charts or tables with explanations. This requires secondary research into the nature of the industry, The general trends affecting this industry are highlighted. Specific Trade patterns for the product/service are analyzed.	15	5-6
External Analysis – Specific Country	This includes the selected import/export country only (use the model suggested by your instructor – PESTL(E), BAM, or other)	The particular market assigned/selected is examined in detail for compatibility and non-compatibility issues with respect to trade in the product/service between the selected country and the UAE. This includes aggregate economic data, any trade agreements, trade restrictions, licenses or duties.	20	5-6
Internal Analysis	Detailed company analysis (use the model suggested by your instructor – PESTL(E), BAM, or other)	The focus is on your target company collected during interviews and supported with secondary data, but you need to include the relationships with any parent or partner companies. You are assessing the capacity of the company relative to the challenge or opportunity you have identified.	20	5-6
Findings and Implications Recommendations	Summarize the research as it relates to the problem or opportunity. Describe the strategic actions the company should take to take advantage of the opportunity.	This section brings together the key findings from your research. This summary will then form the basis of your recommendations. These have to be specific action recommendations. Your group has been hired to give the organization answers, not recommend more studies.	15	3-4
References	There needs to be at least 2 industry or academic references per person and a total of 5 references per person for group work.	The grade for References includes the use of in-text references in the document. Definition sites (such as Wikipedia, business dictionary) do not count as a reference but you must include them if you used them. NOTE: The maximum grade possible on this assignment is ‘C+’ without proper and complete referencing which includes in-text referencing. For students working alone 8 references are required.	5	As necessary
Appendices a.	Additional work in support of the main arguments	Use this space for added detail to explain your work including diagrams, graphs and the interview transcript.	10	As necessary
Language and Organization	NOTE: The maximum grade possible on this assignment could be given as ‘C’ when there are multiple errors in language (more than 1 per page). You may be asked to edit and resubmit.	Language, grammar, spelling, organization, table of contents, cover page, professional analysis.	5
Total:	Format is 12 point font, 1.5 space, with table of contents, cover page.		Max 100	Max 20-25p + ref. and app.

*The expected format is printed a report, however groups can request to produce alternative or supporting multi-media formats (e-book for example) with approval of the instructor.

 

Grade A: Excellent

Overall, a very impressive and excellent piece of work. Includes the majority of the following features:

·         Demonstrates an understanding of the task which may be beyond what is expected, but which is always relevant.

• Original perspective on the problems in question. Contextualization of sources and viewpoints and comprehensive evaluation of contributions. Insightful application of relevant theories in addressing the issues/questions.
• Use of wide range of relevant sources, which are integrated and critically evaluated.
• Well structured and organized with a clearly developed line of reasoning. Appropriate length.
• Referencing follows consistent academic conventions with all references fully and accurately cited.
• Clear, articulate style with accurate spelling, word choice and grammar. Target band level surpassed by 1.0

 

Grade B:  Good

Overall, a good and commendable piece of work. Includes the majority of the following features:  

·         Demonstrates sound understanding of the task. Presentation of points and arguments generally relevant to the question.

• Sustained commentary on evidence and materials used. Inclusion of appropriate critical perspective. Use of theoretical models in a relevant way to address the issues/questions.
• Sound understanding of main sources of literature, well summarized and used in a critical and relevant way.
• Clear structure and presentation. Control of length.
• Generally consistent and accurate referencing.
• Generally accurate spelling, word choice and grammar. Target band level surpassed by 0.5.

 

Grade C: Satisfactory

Overall, a satisfactory piece of work. Includes the majority of the following features:

• Understands main point of the task. Most points and arguments presented are relevant to the question.
• Adequate commentary on evidence and materials used. Some evidence of critical awareness. Use and understanding of theoretical models, but in a fairly pedestrian way.
• Adequate range of source material consulted. Clear understanding of the literature used.
• Good structure and presentation, minor problems in organization do not impede communication. Control of length
• Generally consistent referencing.
• Comprehensible spelling, word choice and grammar, inaccuracies do not impede meaning. Target band level achieved.

 

Grade D: Marginal Pass

Overall, a bare pass.  Includes the majority of the following features:  

·         Understanding of basic concepts and effort made to relate them to the question.

• Argument mainly descriptive points and/or points which requires greater substantiation. More development of ideas needed to sustain an argument. Identification of main issues, but little critical awareness.
• Some evidence of reading and understanding of the literature, but range and /or relevance very limited.
• Attempt made at coherent presentation, but ideas not well integrated. Length may be considerably off target.
• Some attempt at consistent referencing.
• Comprehensible spelling, word choice and grammar, although inaccuracies may sometimes impede meaning. Below the target band level.

 

Grade F: Failure

Overall, a very poor piece of work.  Includes the majority of the following features: 

• Inadequate or misunderstanding of task. Purely descriptive account with little or no analysis.
• Irrelevant comments and/or assertions, which are not supported by meaningful evidence. Little evidence of integration of various sources to sustain an argument. Lack of any critical or appreciative framework.
• Few relevant sources used and/or little use of literature.
• Unstructured presentation and/or lack of coherence, which impedes understanding. Length problematic.
• Little or no attempt at consistent referencing.
• Major inaccuracies in grammar, word choice and spelling. Well below the prescribed proficiency IELTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Declaration:

This assignment is entirely my own work except where I have duly acknowledged other sources in the text and listed those sources at the end of the assignment; I have not previously submitted this work to the HCT; I understand that I may be orally examined on my submission.

 

Signed: _______________________________

 

Date:______________________________