Management Report

Assessment One – Country Report Structure

Title Page

This page gives:

· the title of the report

· the author’s name and ID number

· the course name and number, the department, and university

· the date of submission.

Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a brief overview of the substance of the report; usually no more than half a page. It is not an introduction to the topic. The summary should outline all the key features of your report, including the topic, what you did and how you did it, and the main outcomes of your work. A busy manager who might not have time to read the full report should be able to get the gist of the whole report by reading the summary.

The summary:

· states the topic of the report

· outlines your approach to the task if applicable

· gives the most important findings of your research or investigation, or the key aspects of your design

· states the main outcomes or conclusions.

Table of Contents

The contents page sets out the sections and subsections of the report and their corresponding page numbers. It should clearly show the structural relationship between the sections and subsections. A reader looking for specific information should be able to locate the appropriate section easily from the table of contents. The conventions for section and page numbering are as follows:

1.0	Title of first main section (usually Introduction)
	1.1	First subheading
	1.2	Second subheading
2.0	Title of second main section
	2.1	First subheading
	2.2	Second subheading
	2.2.1	First division in the second subheading
	2.2.2	Second division in the second subheading
3.0	Title of third main section

1.0 Introduction (Title of first main section)

The introduction provides the background information needed for the rest of your report to be understood. It is usually half to three-quarters of a page in length. The purpose of the introduction is to set the context for your report, provide sufficient background information for the reader to be able to follow the information presented, and inform the reader about how that information will be presented.

A report introduction should include:

· A brief background of the firm (name of company, what their business is)

· The aim of the firm (what are they hoping to do)

· Purpose and scope of report

· The proposed expansion strategy into the country cited in the unit outline

· Resources required: raw material, technology, skills

· a clear statement of the purpose and aim of the report (why are you writing this report)

· Brief outline of the structure of the report (the structure of the discussion that your report will cover)

2.0 Political Environment (Title of first main section)

2.1 Government stability (First subheading)

In order to report on an environment, you need to choose relevant INDICATORS that will show you how stable or unstable a government is. For example, the frequency of government change, the frequency of public disorder due to poor governing, the occurrence of wars are INDICATORS that will allow you to conclude how stable the government is. Discussion has to be in-text referenced (and entered into Reference List) as the information presented is researched from external sources.

For example:

The XYZ government has been stable for a decade (In-text reference). The current political party has been in power over the last decade and is a result of regular democratic elections (In-text reference). This demonstrates that the government is stable and therefore presents a safe place for business operations.

2.2 Government relations (Second subheading)

INDICATORS include government relations with other countries, friendliness towards foreign investment, and government’s contribution in promoting stability.

Discussion has to be in-text referenced (and entered into Reference List) as the information presented is researched from external sources.

For example:

The XYZ government has friendly and open relations with neighbouring countries (in-text reference). XYZ is a member of ASEAN, maintains trading relationships globally and has a positive political relationship with home country (in-text reference). These positive political relationships demonstrate the government’s commitment towards foreign trade.

2.3 Analysis (Third subheading)

The analysis section is where you present your thoughts on whether the information presented in 2.1 and 2.2 are opportunities or threats. Discussion is not in-text referenced because they are your thoughts.

For example: The stable government and friendly political relationship presents an opportunity for ABC Company because it offers a suitable business environment for conducting operations.

3.0 Legal Environment (Title of first main section)

3.1 Business laws (First subheading)

INDICATORS : level of corruption, reliability of business legislations, foreign direct investment laws, similarity to home country laws.

3.2 Labour laws (Second subheading) –.

INDICATORS : degree of similarity with home country laws: age, working hours, working conditions

3.3 Analysis (Third subheading)

Do the business and labour laws present themselves as opportunities or threats? What impact does this have on the company/business environment?

4.0 Economic Environment (Title of first main section)

4.1 Currency exchange rate ($) (First subheading)

INDICATORS: Conversion rate, stability of currency

4.2 Economic trends/forecasts (Second subheading)

INDICATORS: economic boom, economic recession, predicted economic performance

4.3 Analysis (Third subheading)

Do the currency exchange rate and the economic forecast present themselves as opportunities or threats? What impact does this have on the company/business environment?

5.0 Socio-cultural Environment (Title of first main section)

5.1 Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions – (First subheading)

(Do not include theory, only application. This discussion can be presented in a tabular format or paragraph format)

http://loveforlife.com.au/node/4340

TABULAR FORMAT:

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions	Home Country	Host Country	Implications
Collectivism Vs Individualism
Power Distance
Uncertainty avoidance
Time orientation
Quality Vs Quantity of life OR Femininity vs Masculinity

OR

PARAGRAPH FORMAT:

INDICATORS :

5.1.1 Collectivism Vs Individualism (First division in the second subheading)

5.1.2 Power Distance (Second division in the second subheading)

5.1.3 Uncertainty avoidance (Third division in the second subheading)

5.1.4 Time orientation (Fourth division in the second subheading)

5.1.5 Quality Vs Quantity of life OR Femininity vs Masculinity (Fifth division in the second subheading)

5.2 Analysis (Second subheading)

How similar/dissimilar are the cultures? How does this similarity/dissimilarity impact on the managerial functions? Does this present an opportunity or a threat? Why?

6.0 Technological Environment (Title of first main section)

6.1 Technological infrastructure (First subheading)

INDICATORS: Degree of sophistication in the infrastructure and technology

6.2 Communication networks (Second subheading)

INDICATORS: Reliability of the communication networks (internet/phone)

6.4 Analysis (Third subheading)

How will the degree of sophistication in the technological infrastructure and reliability of the communication networks impact the company? Do they present an opportunity or a threat?

7.0 SWOT Analysis (Title of first main section)

Strengths	ABC company has:
Weaknesses	ABC company has:
Opportunities	This is an example XYZ Country: Economic environment · Favourable currency exchange rate will offer cheaper labour costs Technological environment · Communication networks are advanced · Infrastructure is reliable · In the process of advancing the technological environment Legal environment · Conducive legislation and laws that encourage foreign investments
Threats	This is an example XYZ Country: Political environment · Unstable government · High level of corruption and poor security Sociocultural environment · High degree of difference between the XYZ and home country cultures

8.0 Conclusion (Title of first main section)

1. With a logical recommendation on whether the organisation should go ahead with the expansion- why, when, how.

2. Generally, if the Strengths and Opportunities outweigh the Threats and Weaknesses, the expansion should proceed.

9.0 Recommendations (Title of first main section)

Provide an ‘action plan’ based on the findings discussed, by suggestions on how to

1. Overcome problems (Weakness and Threats analysis)

2. Use the company’s Strengths and how the company could exploit the Opportunities presented in the SWOT.

a) List them in the same order as the information provided in the report

b) Should be a numbered or bullet pointed list

c) Begin each recommendation with an instructive verb

d) Place the recommendations on a new page

e) Only require three to four recommendations

9.0 References (Title of first main section)

Minimum of 6 references (Less than 6 references will receive an instant FAIL)

Use the Chicago 16 referencing

WIKIPEDIA online encyclopaedia not allowed

TIP:

1. The PESTL analysis must be RELEVANT to your discussion. You must demonstrate the link between the information you have provided and your organisation. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION YOU CANNOT SHOW RELEVANCE TO.

2. THE Opportunities and Threats can be derived from the PESTL analysis as these are external factors

3. Do not use 1st person stance

4. All sections except the title page, table of contents, executive summary and reference list are included in the 1,500 word count.

5. You are allowed a leeway of 10% with the word count (over by 10% > 1650 words or under by 10% > 1350 words). Students will be penalised 10% of their overall mark for not complying with the word restrictions.