Global business

BSB119 Global Business Semester 1, 2019

Assessment Item One (20%) Task Guidelines

This assessment item has three parts. Please read the requirements for all parts carefully.

(a) Drawing conclusions from socio-economic data. (12 marks)

Task: The below table shows socio-economic data of two fictitious countries. From the perspective of a business considering the possibility of undertaking business in these countries, consider what the data could mean and present three conclusions. Each conclusion should compare both countries using at least two variables. You can relate each conclusion to any type of international business (eg. you can present a conclusion from the perspective of a business choosing a new export market, a business seeking an import source, a business choosing a location for FDI, etc). Recommended length for each conclusion: approximately 200 words. (4 marks per conclusion)

Country	Country A	Country B
1. Population	23.55 million	125.96 million
2. Area	35,980 km²	1.96 million km²
3. GDP	$1.19 trillion	$1.15 trillion
4. GDP Per capita (PPP)	$50,500	$19,900
5. Gini Coefficient	.336	.515
6. Population below poverty line	21.9%	46.2%
7. % of Urban Population	78.2%	80.2%
8. Main Exports	Semiconductors, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobile parts, electronics, plastics.	Manufactured goods, electronics, silver, plastics, fruits, vegetables, cotton.
9. Main Imports	Oil/petroleum, natural gas, coal, steel, automobiles, fine chemicals, textiles.	Agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, automobile parts, natural gas and oil products.
10. Inflation	2%	6%
11. Internet Users (% of Population)	88%	59.5%
12. UN Human Development Index (HDI)	.907	.774
13. Adult literacy rate 14. Labour Force by Occupation	98.5% 4.9% agriculture, 35.9% industry, 59.2% services	88.9% 20% agriculture, 24.1% industry, 55.9% services
15. Unemployment	3.8%	6.9%

(b) Construct a line graph for percentage change in GDP. (3 marks)

Task: The two countries you are required to analyse for Assessment Item #2 (Country Analysis Report) are New Zealand and Hong Kong. Using the EIU database and Excel, construct a line graph of the % Change in GDP for these two countries for the years 2014 to 2024.

Note: The EIU Database is available through the QUT Library website. Search for the relevant information using the database, export the required data to Excel and construct a line graph. Give your graph a title, label both axes and include the source of your data (if you are a new user of EIU, there are instructions provided on Blackboard). This graph can be reused for Assessment #2. Below are examples on how to correctly cite and reference your data source according to APA.

Citation should be included below your graph:

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit (2019).

Reference in reference list:

Economist Intelligence Unit. (2019). Country X and Country Y: Selected series 2014 to 2024 [Datafile].

Retrieved from ----- provide weblink here --- .

(c) Foreign market entry mode – licensing vs. exporting (5 marks)

ABC Company is a small tech-based Australian firm that has become very successful due to its innovative and award-winning products. The company is interested in internationalising through the use of licensing. From the perspective of this company, discuss why licensing might be more appropriate than exporting as an international market entry mode.

Recommended length: approximately 250 words.

Format

Your submission should follow the below format. Use APA style for referencing.

Part A

1 Conclusion 1.

2 Conclusion 2.

3 Conclusion 3.

Part B

Graph

Part C

Foreign market entry mode

Submitting your assignment

Submit one Word or PDF document by 11:59pm on Friday 29th March 2019 (Week 5).

Please upload well before 11:59pm in case you experience technical difficulties. Familiarise yourself with the QUT Late Assessment policy (files uploaded after the deadline, unless you have an approved extension, WILL NOT BE MARKED and will receive 0%). If you have applied for an extension but have not yet received a decision, you should upload the work you have already completed.

DO NOT include these task guidelines or the criteria sheet in your file.

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