Assessment 3: Individual Essay Assessment

Assessment Brief

Overview

The purpose of this assessment is to ensure students develop a broad understanding of the theories and concepts covered in the course. Students are expected to demonstrate strong academic research, the ability to apply theories and concepts, sound problem-solving skills, and effective academic writing.

For this assignment, you will examine the international operations of a real-world multinational enterprise (MNE).Use the “COUNTRY” filter to select an eligible MNE from one of the following countries:

• China

• Japan

• Germany

• Britain

Your analysis will evaluate the company’s international strategy, market entry mode, and its engagement with one key external stakeholder in a chosen host country.

Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

This assessment targets the following CLOs:

• CLO1: Evaluate and apply core concepts and theories related to the global business environment and firms that engage in global operations.

• CLO2: Critically assess key opportunities and challenges for firms operating in global markets.

• CLO3: Communicate global business issues clearly and create professional stakeholder communications using appropriate communication channels.

• CLO4: Integrate career-ready attributes and global competence by enhancing adaptability, cultural intelligence, critical thinking, research, and teamwork for diverse global business environments.

Use of AI in This Assessment

Students may use generative AI tools only for:

• Generating ideas

• Planning

• Drafting

• Completing smaller sub-tasks

However, completion of the full assessment requires your own critical thinking and judgement. Overreliance on generative AI beyond the allowed scope may lead to:

• Mark reduction, and/or

• Referral to a Senior Officer under the Student Conduct Policy (academic misconduct).

All use of AI tools must be referenced according to RMIT Library guidelines.

Marking Criteria

This assessment measures your ability to:

• Problem Definition / Identification

• Formulating arguments and conclusions using informed judgement

• Understanding of key theories and concepts

• Quality, relevance and sufficiency of research

• Appropriate structure (logical sequence, transitions, paragraphs)

• Format and presentation (clarity, grammar, correct referencing, adherence to word limit)

Introduction & MNE Profile 

1. Introduction

Provide an overview of the essay, including:

• Purpose

• Key areas of analysis

• Structure of the essay

(Tip: Write this section last for better coherence.)

2. MNE Profile

Describe the selected multinational enterprise:

• Country of origin

• Company history & development

• Core products or services

• International operations & global presence

Host Country Analysis & Strategy 

Select one foreign market (host country) where the MNE operates.
You cannot select the company’s home country.

3. Stakeholder Impact

Choose one stakeholder group in the host country:

• Government / Regulatory bodies

• Consumers

• NGOs / Special interest groups

Explain how this stakeholder influences the MNE’s operations, supported by examples and relevant theories.

4. Strategy and Market Entry

Analyse the MNE’s:

• International strategy

• Market entry mode

Discuss:

• Advantages and risks of the strategy

• Recommended strategic improvements

• Justification using theories and real examples

Conclusion 

5. Summary & Evaluation

Provide:

• A summary of key findings

• Significance for international business strategy

• Broader implications of your case study

What You Need to Submit

1. Cover Sheet
   Download and complete: Global Business_Individual Essay Cover Sheet-2550.docx

2. Individual Essay
   Submit both documents via Canvas in .docx (MS Word) format.

Brief Summary of Assessment Requirements

Task: Produce an individual essay (2,500 words ±10%) analysing a real-world multinational enterprise (MNE) from the 2025 Fortune Global 500 (use the “COUNTRY” filter). The MNE must originate from China, Japan, 

Core content required (structure & key pointers):

• Part A: Introduction & MNE Profile (≈600 words)

  • Purpose and structure of essay (write last).

  • MNE profile: country of origin, history, core products/services, international presence.

• Part B: Host Country Analysis & MNE Strategy (≈1,650 words)

  • Select one host country (not the MNE’s home country).

  • Stakeholder Impact: choose one stakeholder group (Government/regulators OR Consumers OR NGOs) and analyse its influence using course concepts and examples.

  • Strategy & Market Entry: identify the international strategy and entry mode used; evaluate advantages/risks; propose justified strategic changes referencing international business theories.

• Part C: Conclusion (≈250 words)

  • Summarise findings, discuss significance for international strategy, and reflect on broader implications.

• Assessment standards: clear problem definition, theory application, evidence quality, logical structure, academic writing, correct citations and bibliography.

Mentor-Guided Approach 

1. Project kickoff & MNE selection (Mentor & student)

• Action: Mentor explained selection rule (Fortune Global 500; use COUNTRY filter) and helped shortlist 3 candidate MNEs from the permitted countries.

• Rationale: Narrowing options early saved research time and ensured the student could access sufficient secondary sources (company filings, news, industry reports).

2. Defining the research question & scope

• Action: Mentor helped the student frame a clear research question (e.g., “How effective is X’s market entry strategy in Host Country Y, and how do regulators shape its operations?”).

• Rationale: A precise question focused the literature search and analysis, improving argument clarity and alignment with CLOs.

3. Research plan & literature mapping

• Action: Mentor created a source matrix listing required academic journals and non-scholarly sources to meet the 10 + 10 requirement; allocated time for database searches (Scopus, JSTOR, Google Scholar) and company filings.

• Rationale: Ensured sufficiency and relevance of evidence; supported CLO1 (theory application) and CLO2 (assessing opportunities/challenges).

4. Theoretical framework selection

• Action: Mentor recommended core international business theories for the essay (e.g., Dunning’s OLI, Porter’s competitive strategy, entry mode typologies, stakeholder theory, institutional theory) and mapped which theory applied to each analysis component.

• Rationale: Linking theory to empirical examples is essential for high marks on concept understanding and application.

5. Drafting Part A — Introduction & MNE Profile

• Action: Student gathered company history, home country context, product lines, and global footprint; mentor advised on concise presentation (600 words target). Mentor reviewed and suggested tightening and source citations.

• Rationale: A well-structured profile sets context for later analysis and ensures the assessor understands the firm’s capabilities and international scope.

6. Drafting Part B — Host Country Selection & Stakeholder Analysis

• Action: Mentor guided the student to choose a host country where the MNE’s operations faced observable stakeholder influence (e.g., regulatory change, consumer backlash, NGO campaigns). They identified primary evidence (news articles, government reports) and linked it to stakeholder theory and institutional pressures.

• Rationale: Using concrete examples demonstrates critical assessment (CLO2) and shows how external actors shape firm strategy.

7. Drafting Part B — Strategy & Market Entry Analysis

• Action: Mentor led the student through identifying the entry mode (export, JV, acquisition, greenfield, franchising), mapping motivations (market seeking, efficiency, strategic asset seeking), and assessing pros/cons. Mentor required explicit use of OLI and entry-mode literature, and instructed on how to justify recommended strategic changes with theory and real evidence.

• Rationale: This connects theoretical models to practice and supports CLO1 and CLO3 (professional communication of strategic recommendations).

8. Synthesis & Recommendations

• Action: Mentor coached the student to turn analysis into practical recommendations (e.g., change governance of JV, increase local partnerships, adapt CSR strategy). Each recommendation had to be theory-backed and feasible.

• Rationale: Demonstrates problem solving and managerial judgement required by the marking criteria.

9. Drafting Part C — Conclusion & Reflection

• Action: Mentor asked for a short evaluative summary (≈250 words) tying findings to broader international business implications and reflecting on limitations and future research areas.

• Rationale: Clear conclusions consolidate arguments and demonstrate higher-level critical thinking (CLO2, CLO4).

10. Referencing, formatting & academic integrity checks

• Action: Mentor conducted a final checklist: minimum reference counts met, citation style consistent, formatting and word count compliant, AI usage acknowledged as required. Student ran Turnitin; mentor guided interpretation of similarity report and made corrections to reduce overlap.

• Rationale: Ensures academic presentation standards and avoids academic misconduct.

11. Final proofreading & submission

• Action: Mentor performed a final read for cohesion, grammar, and paragraph transitions; suggested refinements to clarity and professional tone; student completed cover sheet and submitted via Canvas.

• Rationale: Clean presentation and clarity are part of the marking rubric (structure/presentation).

Outcome Achieved & Learning Objectives Covered

Final deliverable: A 2,500-word (+/-10%) Individual Essay submitted in .docx with required cover sheet and Turnitin report, containing: Part A (MNE profile), Part B (host country stakeholder analysis, strategy & entry evaluation, recommendations), Part C (conclusion), and an evidence base of ≥10 academic journals + ≥10 reputable non-scholarly sources.

Learning outcomes demonstrated:

• CLO1: Applied core international business theories (e.g., OLI, stakeholder/institutional theory) to evaluate firm strategy.

• CLO2: Critically assessed opportunities and risks for the MNE in the host market, supported with empirical evidence.

• CLO3: Communicated findings and practical recommendations clearly and professionally (structured report, stakeholder-facing suggestions).

• CLO4: Demonstrated career-ready attributes (critical thinking, cultural intelligence when analysing host country context, research skills, adaptability in proposing strategic changes).

Skills developed: structured research planning, theory-to-practice analysis, academic writing and referencing, ethical use of AI tools, and presenting professionally justified strategic recommendations.

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