You are part of a global electronics company that has offices in four key countries; France where the Headquarters are located, Germany, Brazil and Thailand. Explore the role of culture and the resultant cultural issues that may affect the management of t
Order Description
write up your own overarching conclusions as to the cultural issues that may be faced by this multinational company as it conducts its business internationally.
Assignment Brief
As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit an International Management assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module you should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the role of culture in international business including knowledge of the major policies and practices associated with effective cross- cultural management.
2. Critically evaluate how to effectively manage a diverse workforce to create value.
3. Work effectively as a member of a team, including leadership and team working skills, and cross cultural awareness.
4. Effectively use CIT to communicate in developing cross cultural awareness between students from different nationalities.
Your assignment should include a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and a word count; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in Harvard format. You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
Maximum word count: 3000 words (maximum – excluding the PowerPoint Presentation)
Please note that exceeding the word count will result in a reduction in grade proportionate to the number of words used in excess of the permitted limit.
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Assignment Task
Overview
Task 1: 40% (qualifying mark 30%)
Group PowerPoint presentation with audio file and individual 1000 written assignment
Task 2: 60% (qualifying mark 30%)
2000 word written individual assignment
In order to pass this module, students are required to achieve an overall mark of
40%.
In addition, students are required to achieve the qualifying mark for each element of fine graded assessment as specified above
Task 1
a) You will be allocated to a group. You are part of a global electronics company that has offices in four key countries; France where the Headquarters are located, Germany, Brazil and Thailand. Explore the role of culture and the resultant cultural issues that may affect the management of the global team in each country. Use the group dynamics to explore the four countries, dividing them between the group equally and drawing on the resources made available during the module.
Present your findings as a group PowerPoint with an audio file.
b) In addition, individually write up your own overarching conclusions as to the cultural issues that may be faced by this multinational company as it conducts its business internationally.
(40%)
Task 2
Task 2 – Individual 2000 word individual assignment
In research about the expatriate experience, Van Vianen et al (2004, p687) conclude that globalisation has been a key driver in the increase in organisations and companies deploying employees on assignments across national borders. They conclude that despite
Significant and growing numbers, research suggests that poor cross-cultural adjustment often results in dissatisfaction and suboptimal performance among these employees (Kraimer et al, 2001; Shaffer & Harrison, 1998).
Critically evaluate some of the factors that contribute to expatriate failure and the steps that companies can take to ensure a more successful expatriate experience.
(60%)
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Van Vianen, A.E.M, De Pater, I.E., Kristof-Brown, A.L., & Johnson, E.C., 2004. Fitting In: Surface-and Deep-Level Cultural Differences and Expatriates’ Adjustment. Academy of Management Journal Vol.47, No.5, 687-709
.
Kraimer, M. L., Wayne, S. J., & Jaworski, R. A., 2001. Sources of support and expatriate performance: The mediating role of expatriate adjustment. Personnel Psychology, Vol.54, 71–99.
Shaffer, M. A., & Harrison, D. A. 1998. Expatriates’ psychological withdrawal from international assignments: Work, non-work, and family influences. Personnel Psychology, Vol 51, 87–117
For both tasks your evaluations need to be backed up by academic scholarly work and must not be based upon your opinion.
Guidelines:
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the Harvard system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources: Study Skills Guide (containing a Harvard Referencing section) and a Harvard Referencing Interactive Tutorial. You must use the Harvard Referencing method in your assignment.
Additional notes:
Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the individual assessment.
The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, reference list and appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count. Printed words include those contained within charts and tables. See ‘Word Count Policy’ on the homepage of this module for more information.
Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.
Your individual assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the module page on iLearn.
You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is in the Induction Area).
Guidance on how to prepare a voice over in PowerPoint is available by watching this YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=3uk4CU7uobM
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Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered – all) Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions, with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is worthy of publication or public performance or display. Mark Bands Outcome Generic Learning Outcomes (GLOs) (Academic Regulations, Section 2) Knowledge & Understanding Intellectual (thinking), Practical, Affective and Transferable Skills Characteristics of Student Achievement by Marking Band 90-100%
Achieves module outcome(s) related to GLO at this level
Exceptional analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics with very clear originality and autonomy. Exceptional development of conceptual structures and argument making an exceptional use of scholarly conventions. Demonstrates independence of thought and a very high level of intellectual rigour and consistency. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and may be considered for external publication
Exceptional analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. Exceptional development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Exceptional research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive/professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality. Exceptional academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and may be considered for external publication 80-89%
Outstanding analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics with clear originality and autonomy. Outstanding development of conceptual structures and argument making an exemplary use of scholarly conventions. Demonstrates independence of thought and a very high level of intellectual rigour and consistency
Outstanding analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. Very high level development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Outstanding research skills, independence of thought, a high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, outstanding expressive/professional skills, and considerable creativity and originality. Exemplary academic/intellectual skills 70-79%
Excellent analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument making excellent use of scholarly conventions. Demonstrates independence of thought and a high level of intellectual rigour and consistency
Excellent analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. High level development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, a high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, excellent expressive/ professional skills, and considerable creativity and originality. Excellent academic/intellectual skills, and considerable creativity and originality 60-69%
Good analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions
Good analysis of key issues/concepts/ethics. Development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions 50-59%
Satisfactory knowledge of key issues/ concepts/ethics in discipline. Descriptive in parts but some ability to synthesise scholarship and argument. Minor lapses in use of scholarly conventions
Satisfactory knowledge of key issues/ concepts/ethics in discipline. Descriptive in parts but some ability to synthesise scholarship and argument. Minor lapses in use of scholarly conventions 40-49%
A marginal pass in module outcome(s) related to GLO at this level
Basic knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Generally descriptive, with restricted synthesis of existing scholarship and little argument. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent
Basic knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Generally descriptive, with restricted synthesis of existing scholarship and little argument. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. 30-39%
A marginal fail in module outcome(s) related to GLO at this level. Satisfies qualifying mark
Limited knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Largely descriptive, with restricted synthesis of existing scholarship and limited argument. Limited use of scholarly conventions.
Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving. Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Team/Practical/ Professional skills not yet secure. Weak academic/ intellectual skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions 20-29%
Fails to achieve module outcome(s) related to this GLO. Qualifying mark not satisfied. No compensation
Little evidence of knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Largely descriptive, with little synthesis of existing scholarship and little evidence of argument. Little evidence of use of scholarly conventions.
Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression. Team/Practical/Professional skills virtually absent. Very weak academic/intellectual skills. Little evidence of use of scholarly conventions
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10-19%
available
Inadequate knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Wholly descriptive, with inadequate synthesis of existing scholarship and inadequate argument. Inadequate use of scholarly conventions.
Inadequate use of research skills, learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Team/Practical/Professional skills absent. Extremely weak academic/intellectual skills. Inadequate use of scholarly conventions 1-9%
No evidence of knowledge of key issues/concepts/ethics in discipline. Incoherent and completely but poorly descriptive, with no evidence of synthesis of existing scholarship and no argument whatsoever. No evidence of use of scholarly conventions.
No evidence of use of research skills, learning resources and problem solving. Incoherent structure/accuracy in expression. Team/Practical/Professional skills non-existent. No evidence of academic/intellectual skills. No evidence of use of scholarly conventions 0%
Awarded for: (i) non-submission; (ii) dangerous practice and; (iii) in situations where the student fails to address the assignment brief (eg: answers the wrong question) and/or related learning outcomes
