Read through the article: "Cheng, S.S. and Seeger, M.W. (2011). Cultural Differences and Communication Issues in International Mergers and Acquisitions: A Case Study of BenQ Debacle. International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 2, No. 24, Special Issue - December 2011".

You are supposed to answer your TMA in 2000 words. Critical discussion and link between theoretical frameworks and the article should be clearly highlighted. You are also expected to refer to external references to provide more evidence to your discussion. The questions in this assignment are about different concepts of collaboration that might help to achieve collaborative advantage or collaborative inertia.

For all questions, your answer has to be in an essay format divided into introduction, body and conclusion. Students have to provide critical analysis and be innovative in their answer and not only descriptive.

QUESTIONS

Question 1 Each collaboration needs certain foundations to achieve collaborative advantage. Without clear and shared bases the outcome might be collaborative inertia rather than collaborative advantage. Based on B325 course material, discuss the six main bases for collaborative advantage.

With reference to the case, identify why BenQ initially wanted to join efforts with Siemens. What can you say about the bases for collaborative advantage of this collaboration? Finally, critically discuss what was the ultimate outcome of this collaboration.

Word limit: 750 words.

Question 2 BenQ and Siemens come from two different backgrounds and cultures creating several challenges.

Critically discuss the main challenges that multicultural companies might face with reference to B325 course material.

What were the most obvious culture difference challenges in the case of BenQ and Siemens? Were any actions taken to minimize the effect of these challenges?

Word limit: 750 words.

Question 3 Trust is an essential component for collaborative relations. To what extent was trust one of the main components between BenQ and Siemens?

Based on what you have learned from your course material, explain how trust can be built and restored for a better collaboration outcome.

Word limit: 500 words.