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Course/Programme:
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MSc International Business Management
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Level:
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7
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Module Title:
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International Business
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Assignment title:
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Formal Report (3500 words)
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Assignment number:
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1 of 1
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Weighting:
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Formal Report - 100%;
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Date given out:
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1 October 2024
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Submission date:
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10 December 2024
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Eligible for late submission (3 calendar days, with penalty)?
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Yes
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Method of submission:
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X
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Online only
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Online and paper copy
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Special instructions for submission (if any):
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Completed assignment is to be submitted to the UoS Brightspace only
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Date for results and feedback:
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24 January 2025
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Learning outcomes assessed:
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On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of international business and its environment within a global context.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the global
environment, including economic, cultural and
sustainability factors that influence the development and management of international business.
• Evaluative management perspectives of both domestic and international markets.
• Critically analyse different management theories (eg: resource-based view; stakeholder theory; and
institutional theory) to understand what is behind different firm performances around the world.
• Assess and advise on business operations and relationships (with Joint Venture partners,
government agencies) in complex international business environment.
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At postgraduate level you are expected to:
• Have a high standard of presentation, structure, layout and design.
• Demonstrate appropriate coverage, critical appreciation and evaluation of relevant literature.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts and the application of theory to practical solutions.
• Show evidence of originality of thought and approach, and of creative problem-solving ability.
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The grade awarded for this piece of work remains provisional until ratified by the Assessment Board.
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Component number
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Formof
assessment
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Assessment size
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Weighting (%)
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Learning outcomes assessed
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Core or
non- core
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1
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Formal Report
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3,500 words (+/-10%)
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100%
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All
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Core
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Assignment brief:
• You are to prepare an individual formal research report.
• Secondary research is expected for this written assignment.
• Draw your references from a broad range of sources. Apply to the brand, product and market selected, evidence of research and depth of thought will benefit this feasibility study.
Objective:
This assignment is focused on the B2B distribution channel. You are a SME importing and packaging. For this case, you are importing macadamia nuts and oil to Singapore.
This assignment aims for students to have a deep appreciation towards International Business.
Case: Importing Macadamia Nuts and Oil to Singapore (B2B)
You are a SME importing and packaging a range of nuts from Vietnam and USA, for sales on your and various leading e-commerce platforms.
Recently, you have received quite a number of inquiries from customers asking for macadamia nuts. You do not carry any macadamia nuts at this point in time, and you are interested to expand your product range to include this. Research shows that macadamia nuts and oil are a high energy food and contain no cholesterol.
This written assignment is focused on the feasibility of importing nuts from either a wholesaler or producer directly from Australia to Singapore for packaging under your own local brand, then to retail on your online shop. The packaging for B2B and B2C will be different in terms of packaging size and labelling.
You have identified a few producers of macadamia nuts and oils in Australia. You have shortlisted the supplier, WALIZ NUTS PTY LTD, with address 18 Johnston Road, Newrybar NSW 2479, Australia. Website ishttps://waliznuts.com
FCA price based on Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is: -1kg-vacuum packed processed Macadamia
- Price ranges from AUD47 (for halves) to AUD50 per kg (whole, large) - 18litres Processed natural Macadamia Oil: AUD210 (packed in drum) Please refer to its website for more information.
https://waliznuts.com/com
There is sufficient information on the company’s website to collect the necessary information to meet this assignment’s requirements.
Format:
You will need to include the following in your report’s discussion:
1. A brief introduction of the chosen Buyer. (5 marks)
2. As an online seller of nuts in Singapore, discuss and provide justification if the products should be pack and retail under your own existing local brand, or otherwise? (5 marks)
3. Assuming that you would like to import at least 100 kgs of macadamia nuts and 5 drums of macadamia oils for a start, propose the payment methods that would be feasible to both your company and the overseas supplier for this first shipment. Explain your answer. Note that your company is an SME. (15 marks)
4. Describe any TWO (2) factors (e.g. Social-cultural environment, Economy, Regulations, Competition and Political) that would be positive for your business in Singapore. (25 marks)
5. Describe any TWO (2) challenges or risks that should also be considered. (25 marks)
6. Assume the terms of delivery is FCA (from New South Wales – NSW), identify the various stages and logistics processes that will be involved in shipping the goods from New South Wales until it reaches your packing facility cum warehouse in Singapore. Propose either seaport or airport (as the case may be) from exporting country to importing country. Use a well-labelled diagram or flow-chart to outline and explain the transport and logistics processes, including customs clearance that may be involved. (20 marks)
7. Conclusion (5 marks) (Total: 100 marks)
Additional notes:
• Collusion, similarity, or plagiarism will result in high Turnitin scores that will be flagged out by system, with consequent penalties imposed by the University.
• Late submission, non-compliance with format, referencing and prescribed page number will result in penalty.
• The range of research to support the quality of discussion must meet the standard of a postgraduate student.
Format - further guidance:
• Assignment Cover Sheet
o Module Name
o Assessment Title
o Word Count
o Student ID number
• You will include a correctly formatted reference list and in-text citations using UoS
Harvard referencing format.Refer to
http://libguides.uos.ac.uk/friendly.php?s=academicskills/referencing.
• Your work should be presented in a report format, using headings and including a content page and page numbers.
• Please choose a clear font (either Arial or Times New Roman) using size 12.
• Please ensure your work is 1.5 spacing.
• Your total word limit is approximately 3,500 words (+/-10%).
Employability Skills
By the end of this module, students will have gained competence in the following key areas: employability skills; independent learning; research; critical thinking and analysis; problem solving; interpersonal skills; communication skills.