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MAN2142: Topics in International Business Management
Introduction:
You are to prepare and submit, via Surrey Learn, a 2,500-word written essay on the subject of
the internationalisation of ONE of the following multinational corporations (MNC):
1. Lenovo
2. XiaomiMobile
3. Haier
4. Coca cola
The essay is to present company-specific research into the strategic decisions made by your chosen
MNC, that relate to the internationalisation choices, modes, and location of implementation i.e.,
foreign direct investment (FDI) targets and what internationalisation strategies are available to the
company in the near future. The research is to draw on data taken from publicly available sources
(available in English) and considered through the lens of academic theory taken from this module.
The key theoretical model to be used is the Uppsala Internationalisation Model. The Uppsala Model,
in combination with other supporting theory, drawn from the module, is to act as a lens, or frame, so
that you may explore, better understand, and explain the unique internationalisation processes used
by the MNC. The central axiom of the Uppsala Model, explored fully in Week 5 of this module, is
represented as follows:
Uppsala Model: Stage Variables
State Change
Source: Vahlne and Johanson, 2013
Inter Organisational
Processes
Learning
Creating(Innovation)
Trust-Building
Commitment Decisions
Reconfiguration
Change of Coordination
Network Positioning
Inter-organisational Network Position
Intra-organisational Network Position
Network Power
Dynamic Capabilities
Opportunity
Development Capability
Internationalisation Capability
Networking Capability
Operational Capabilities
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To successfully complete this assignment, it is advised that you undertake a four-stage process:
1. Evidence Gathering (Who)
2. The Method (How)
3. The Analyse (Why)
4. The Findings (What)
1. Evidence Gathering:
After choosing ONE of the three available multinationals, you are to investigate who the MNC is.
Through reputable sources, that are to be disclosed within the reference section, you will need to
identify the origins, organisational structure, product offer and locations of past and present FDI;
their story as it was. You are to consider the strategic decisions and actions taken by the company
and understand what their stated goals are going forward. Through researching the company, the
MNC’s country of origin and the countries where it operates, you are to form a pool of empirical
evidence that can be tested against theory.
2. The Method:
Now that you possess sufficient empirical data for investigation, you must decide how you are going
to analyse that information. The central theoretical frame has been chosen for you (the Uppsala
Model), but there are other lenses that can be used to shed light on your observations. Those other
theories are drawn from what has been taught through the module, i.e. the power of the MNC and
the impact of FDI on host nations, the challenges of managing IB operations globally, cross cultural
communications and business ethics, i.e. sustainability and corporate governance. All these factors
feed into the state variables of the Uppsala Model. The choices of method used, the combination of
choice of theory and how it is to be applied, must be explained to the reader.
3. The Analysis
Now, having collected the data and identified the method of analysis, it is time to complete and
present the analysis of why your chosen MNC operates the way it does. You are to observe how and
critique why it conducted FDI, why it chose the host countries it has invested in, over others that it
did not (or has withdrawn from). The analysis is to reflect the sophistication of undergraduate study
and must go beyond simply descriptive reporting and the list of the facts. In writing, you can provide
insight into the complexity of MNC business and the challenges that your chosen corporation faces.
4. The Findings
This last stage allows you to bring together what makes their chosen MNC so unique, to highlight
what is has done well and what it has failed to achieve i.e., missed opportunities, or simply what it
has failed at. This is your opportunity to provide your subjective views on the world of international
business that we study and what can be improved, at least on a company specific level. By using the
Uppsala Model, what variables can be considered to best leverage the company to, not only succeed
financially but to be a better company i.e., sustainable environmental strategies and competitive
advantage through rule adherence (good governance).
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Recommended Structure:
The recommended structure for this assessment is as follows, note part of the assessment criteria is
how well the essay is presented so as to provide the reader with a well-considered and readable
document:
Title Page: You should include the module code, essay title that incorporates the name of the
chosen MNC, your full name and URN (All not included in word-count).
Abstract Summary: Provide a brief summary (approximately 200 words) of the key concepts,
methodology and key findings presented in the essay. This is similar to an executive summary,
commonly used in business. These are the last words you write, after your essay is complete!
Table of Contents: Provide the list of headings and page numbers. Include a list of tables and/or
figures and a list of any abbreviations you have used (All not included in word-count).
Introduction: In one paragraph say what are you going to discuss. This can include the names of
the key headings you are going to present.
Overview of Chosen MNC: Describe your chosen corporation i.e., its history, key financials
(taken from market data and recent financial reports) and product and geographic placement.
Methodology: Introduction and explanation of key theory (Uppsala Model) and additional theory
to be used. Describe how that theory is going to be applied i.e., this could involve the
construction of a framework that combines theory or, more simply, a systematic application of
theory to the empirical data collected. The method requires, a goal, so describe what you hope is
to be achieved by analysing the empirical data through a theoretical lens.
Analysis of MNC’s Internationalisation Strategy: This is the main section, this is where you write,
in depth, about the state of the organisation and its internationalisation strategy both past and
present and even future. You are to scrutinise what the corporation has done in terms of its
expansion beyond its own borders, why it did what it did, what went well and badly. Also, the
question must be asked, who leads the corporation in these bold moves
Findings, Criticism and Recommendations: This section brings together what has been observed
and analysed. It gives you the opportunity to critically examine the MNC’s choices of strategic
decisions that relate to its internationalization. Consider success not only in terms of profitability
but in term of its impact on host nations and the environment.
Conclusions: Closing remarks that encapsulate what the essay has achieved.
References: Even though this is a business focused document, it is necessary to maintain
academic rigour. The Surrey Business School uses Harvard Referencing Style; ensure you
understand the method and apply it correctly.Youmustincludein_x005f textcitationsofallsourcesused,bothacademic and practitioner i.e., business or NGO sources e.g.,
industry data bases or OECD, World Bank etc. All in-text citations are to be referenced at the
back of the document in the Reference Section, which comes before any appendices you might
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wish to include. There should be at least 15 to 20 unique references i.e., not one reference cited
15 times. Please avoid the usual mistake of using Wikipedia or referring to class videos; always
go to the original source. Academic references will be assessed. Lastly, only reference those
documents identified in the body of the text, do not include additional reading that does not
appear as an in-text citation.
Figures, Tables and Appendices: Figures and tables (collectively referred to as graphics) will
support the argument presented and should be included in the body of the text close to the
subject in hand. Ensure such graphics are numerated, have a heading, and are sourced. Please
ensure that the graphics are referred to in your writing and not simply inserted as ‘decoration’. If
there is additional data, as supporting evidence, the not can be added to the essay as an
appendix. Appendices are not marked, however.
Submission Format and Timings:
The assessment is an individual effort and is to be submitted in the written form. You are to prepare
the document in your own time, and it must be written by you. A dedicated section with in
Assessment Information (Surrey Learn) titled ‘Student Integrity’ provides information on what is
expected from each student, namely effort and integrity. In order that the document is legible and
capable of being both upload and downloaded (by the assessor), please follow the following
instructions:
1. The title page is sufficient; you do NOT to submit a cover sheet along with the coursework.
2. Title page and assignment must be submitted as one document only and ONLY in Microsoft
Word or PDF format (both formats of the single documents can be submitted).
3. A professional font is to be used, size 12, 1.15 line spacing with 2.54 cm margins.
4. This is a 2,500-word limited essay style assessment.
5. Reference list in Harvard Style, foot notes are not acceptable.
6. Name your file in this format: Module Code, URN and Name.
7. You are to submit to the MAN2142 Assignment Folder ‘drop-box’ on or before 5:00 pm Beijing
Time Tuesday 27thJune 2023. No other mode of delivery is acceptable.
8. Late submissions receive an automatic penalty that cannot be cancelled by the module leader.
To avoid missing the cut-off you can submit a nearly completed draft at any time as back-up.
Only the last document submitted will be marked (each submission is time stamped).
9. Pre-check your work on Similarity Checker, before you submit to Surrey Learn.
All the above will be repeated in seminar assignment briefings. So please do attend seminars!