Course Project

Objective

The purpose of this Course Project is to engage students in understanding the far reaching challenges and opportunities of operating an international business. Upon the completion of this Course Project, students will also have a greater appreciation of how culture, political systems, society, and other factors impact business practices not only domestically but internationally.

Section 1: Select and Profile a Foreign Business

Due to globalization, there are a multitude of businesses that you can select. You have the option of selecting any legal business operating in a foreign country that is listed on a major stock exchange. You should select a business that is of interest to you and has information available for your report. In this section, you would provide an in-depth profile of your selected business covering items A through E.

Section 2: Competition, Social, and Economic Factors

This section should present an analysis of the operating environment for your selected business. It should include graphs and tables either embedded within the body text or in the appendices. Make sure you provide the appropriate sources for material that is not original.

Following are some questions to ask.

1. Who are the competitors?
2. Who purchases the products and/or services?
3. How is my foreign business organized (e.g., flat, tall, matrix)?
4. What are the various strategies for entering this country?
5. What role does the government play in the operation of the business?

There are several sources from which the issues can be determined. They include business documents, textbooks, annual reports, business or government web sites, and published articles.

Section 3: Marketing, Operations, and Human Resources

This section should present an analysis of the marketing, operations, and human resources for your selected business. It should include graphs and tables either embedded within the body text or in the appendices. For example, you could include a map showing where products or services are sold. In addition, you could have an illustration of the supply chain system showing the sources of materials and labor used throughout the world. Make sure you provide the appropriate sources for material that is not original.

Following are some questions to ask.

1. How does my business market their products or services?
2. How are prices established?
3. What are the criteria for selection of suppliers?
4. What are the wages of the employees? Competitive to similar businesses?
5. What is the culture of your business?

There are several sources from which the issues can be determined. They include business documents, textbooks, annual reports, business or government web sites, and published articles.

Section 4: Global Finances

This section should present an analysis of financial management for an international business. It should include a list of financial resources, as well as a one year chart on the stock performance of your business. Finally, you would describe the accounting method used by your business and how you would use the business's financial statements to analyze their business. Make sure you provide the appropriate sources for material that is not original.

Following are some questions to ask.

1. How do fluctuating exchange rates affect my business?
2. Where can my business go to secure financing?
3. How has my business performed in the stock market?
4. What impact has the IASB had on my business?
5. How has my business benefited the stakeholders?

There are several sources from which the issues can be determined. They include business documents, textbooks, annual reports, business or government web sites, and published articles.

Reflection

Think about this assignment and write a well thought-out reflection about how this assignment influenced your thinking about international business.

Following are suggestions for preparing your report.

1. Apply a three-step process of writing: Plan, Write, and Complete.
2. Prepare an outline of your research paper before you go forward.
3. Complete a first draft and then go back to edit, evaluate, and make any changes required.
4. Consider using visual communication to further clarify and support the written part of your report.
5. Use graphs, diagrams, photographs, flowcharts, maps, drawings, table, and charts.