Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

Module Code: SM4008/LD4008

Module Title: Global and Transnational Business

Distributed on: Teaching Week 5: Hand in Date: To be confirmed

16th February 2018

Further information about general assessment criteria, ARTA regulations, referencing and plagiarism
can be found on the module’s site on the e-Learning Portal. Students are advised to read and follow
this information.

Instructions on Assessment:

This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL piece of work. It represents 80% of assessment and of the module
mark. Students are required to produce a report to analyse the relevant contexts and answer the
questions below.

The context:

Haier is the world’s largest home appliances company. It has businesses in many countires
across the globe and dominates several product categories in different counries including
developed western markets today. Yet, in two of the less developed markets it has entered, ie,
India and Russia, its products are not at the top.

The question:

Examine Haier’s strengths in detail in the context of different major markets it has entered
and, in particular, in India and Russia in terms of market structure, demand conditions, entry
mode adopted and any other aspects you think are important. Use at least three theoretical
frameworks to do the analysis and to arrive at a reasoned conclusion and explain your opinion
about which of the two markets should Haier focus more on now and why. Also discuss what
approach Haier should use to grow to a dominant position in the market you recommend it
focuses on.

Assignment Guidance Notes

Writing and submission instructions:

 The word limit for the assignment is 4000 words. See below for what is excluded from the word
count.

 An electronic version of your assignment must be submitted via the Turnitin FINAL
SUBMISSION link before submission of the hard copy to the PG office.

 Print on A4 paper with spacing preferably set at one-and-a-half lines.

 Write your analysis as a piece of business communication in report style, using headings and
a numbering system, including any illustrations you think are useful. Using figures, charts and
tables to reflect trend data can give strong support to arguments you make. Make sure all data
sources used are properly explained and referenced.

 Avoid first person usage (I, we, us) in the report.

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Instructions on crafting your Assignment:

 This is a research-based assignment. The assignment requires you to demonstrate that you
understand and can use theoretical frameworks in your analysis. It is therefore expected that
you apply appropriate concepts, i.e., models/ theoretical frameworks, studied in the module.
You do not have to describe models in detail, only apply them well. Also, rather than applying
every part equally, you may apply the relevant parts of the main models/ theoretical frameworks
you choose to use. You may also draw briefly from models other than the three main ones you
use.

 Your analytical discussion must be supported by a significant number of information sources as

well as theory. You are free to gather the information you need from different authoritative
sources to make your argument, not depend on websources that are not authoritative; a
landmark journal article accessed through the web is an authoritative source but an opinion fro
some unknown source is not, let alone from a blog.

 You should be thorough and detailed in your analysis, and should fully explain and justify all the
points. However, there is a balance to be sought between a mass of detail and thorough, yet
relatively concise, reasoning. Thus, your writing must be clear and concise.

 On studying the case question, do you yourself have a question such as: “What if I recommend
Haier should not strive to be top seller in either Russia or India?” If so, you will still need to argue
with detailed analysis and support your recommendation. That will need similar analyses as
recommending a focus on one of the countries.

 Append only relevant information to support your discussion and analysis in the main body of
the report. Appendices should be properly organised and the reader referred to the appropriate
appendix at the appropriate point in the text.

 Cite sources of all researched data and theories/concepts/models on which your analysis is
based so as not to be flagged as plagiarism. Use APA referencing style.

 Good to note: Referring to the Assessment Criteria at the end of this assessment brief may
help you craft your submission well. Please have a separate section for recommendation. How
you structure the rest is your choice. You should format your report so that the analysis,
recommendation, alignment and general aspects (the last means formatting, flow, references,
etc) as given in the Assessment Criteria are clear.

General notes

Word limits and penalties for assignments

If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.

The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover
sheet. The word count does not include:

 Title and
 Reference list  Appendices
Contents page  Appropriate tables,
 Quotes from figures and
 Glossary  Bibliography interviews and illustrations
focus groups.

Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab
nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.

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Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARTA page 11 Section 1.13.2 this will
be regarded as academic misconduct.

If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded
to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the
word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.

Students are advised that they may be asked to submit an electronic version of their assignment.

Time limits and penalties for presentations

The time allocated for the presentation must be adhered to. At the end of this time, the presentation will
be stopped and will be marked based on what has been delivered within the time limit.

Submission of Assessment:

All assignments must be submitted via the Newcastle Business School Office. Each assignment must
be accompanied by an Assessed Work Form which must be completed in full. The assignment will not
be accepted by the Newcastle Business School Office unless the form is completed correctly.

Marked assignments will be returned to students. It is advisable to retain a copy of your assignment
for your own records. Your mark will be returned on the Assessed Work Form via the Newcastle
Business School Office.

Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:

This assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme goals and
objectives.

Goal One: Be independent, reflective critical thinkers

X 1. Demonstrate awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses through critical

reflective practice.
2. Understand and challenge personal patterns of thinking and behaving.

Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware

1. Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.

2. Reflect on their own ethical values.

Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability

1. Demonstrate their personal contribution to team effectiveness.

X 2. Communicate complex issues effectively.

X 3. Demonstrate decision making and problem solving skills.

4. Carry out presentations and lead discussions.

Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management
theory

X 1. Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and

organisational functions.

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Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities

X 1. Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business,

management or leadership topic of their choice.
X 2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to
the exploration of contemporary business issues.

Goal Six: Have developed specialist knowledge about the theory and practice of your
programme of study

X 1. Demonstrate specialist functional knowledge in relation to your programme of study.

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Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

Assessment Criteria (NBS)

Module Specific Assessment Criteria

Criterion 0% 1 – 49% 50 – 54% 55 – 59% 60 – 69% 70 – 100% Criterion

mark
Fail Fail Pass Pass Commendation Distinction
Analysis
30 %

Inadequate Some analysis done Some critical analysis Very good Excellent
understanding of showing a fair done showing a good understanding of understanding of
theory with understanding of theory understanding of theory evident with theory demonstrated
theoretical models with two or three theory with three three theoretical with at least three
inappropriately/ theoretical frameworks theoretical frameworks frameworks used. theoretical frameworks
incorrectly used. used. Research in used. Research in Good research both in used exceptionally
theory/ relevant theory/ relevant theory/ relevant well. Excellent
Weak research for
literature and for case literature and for case literature and for case research both in
theory and case
specific information is specific information is specific information theory/ relevant
information.
just adequate. evident but more trend with trend data. literature and for case
Work not Weak, haphazard or data needed for specific information
Some research of the Critical analysis of the
incorrect arguments supporting arguments. with extensive trend
market data used. market and company’s
submitted made on aspects of data.
Reasonable analysis of Moderately strong relevant foreign market
company’s foreign
company’s foreign analysis of the market strategies. Incisive analysis of the
OR market strategies.
market strategies. and company’s market and company’s
[Mark 1-14] relevant foreign market relevant foreign market
Work giving [Mark 15]
strategies. [Mark 18-20] strategies.
evidence of
[Mark 16-17] [Mark 21-30]
serious
Recommendation
30 %

Although some Reasonable Plausible Very good, plausible Highly plausible and
academic recommendations recommendations made recommendations recommendations for incisive
misconduct are made, they do but only partially made; some questions the future. Takes all recommendations for
not follow from justified. left unaddressed. relevant questions into future taking major
(subject to analyses made. account. trends in the market
regulations and could be a real
world consultant’s
in ARTA)
advice.
[Mark 16-17]
[Mark 1-14] [Mark 15]
OR [Mark 18-20] [Mark 21-30]

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Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

Alignment
20 %
Work Arguments do not Different parts of the Different parts of the Different parts of the Excellent alignment of
showing no link different parts of analysis moderately analysis reasonably analysis very well all parts of the report.
the analysis and linked and just enough well linked; analysis linked; Recommendations
evidence of alignment of analysis alignment of and recommendations recommendations flow elegantly from
the with recommendation recommendation and align with analysis align very well with analyses.
poor. analysis evident. analysis.
knowledge,
understandi
ng and skills
[Mark 1-9] [Mark 10] [Mark 11] [Mark 12-13] [Mark 14-20]
appropriate
to level 7.
General
20 %

None of the Poor formatting, Reasonable formatting Well organized. Good Very good Excellent organization.
difficult to and flow. formatting and flow. organisation and Written with clarity and
learning
understand. formatting for smooth finesse.
Some reasonably strong Several reasonable
outcomes flow of content.
Most important references cited along quality references and Exhaustive references
are met. references missing with weak sources and correct APA Adequate quality for theory and data.
and serious errors in some errors in APA referencing but with references and Flawless APA
[Mark 0] referencing. referencing. some errors. sources for data used; referencing
correct APA
referencing.
[
[Mark 14-20]
[Mark 10] Mark 11] [Mark 12-13]
[Mark 1-9]

TOTAL MARKS

Note:
- For those assessments or partial assessments based on calculation, multiple choice, etc., marks will be gained on an accumulative basis. In these cases,
marks allocated to each section will be made clear. Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment and it must be made available within 24
hours of them requesting it be submitted.

- Percentages on the top row do not accurately correspond to the numerical marks in each criterion box which are approximated to the nearest whole
number and to the advantage of the student as far as possible.
- This rubric is going to be used in the electronic marking of submissions with these descriptions and any additional comments for each criterion.

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