Selected Topics in International Business (STIB) - SUMMER 2017
Start Date: July 10 -consult instructor for details Expected Completion Date: July 24
Final Deadline: July 31, 4:59 p.m.
EVALUATION
You must meet each of the 23 parameters in the following table to earn maximum marks.
Maximum Marks Parameter
3 Written Document – Communication Skills
1. Written communications skills: grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation
2. Document has been proofread and spell-checked
3. Professional language usage is demonstrated throughout the document 4. Length of report (minimum of 2000 words)
2 Written Document – Structure & Format
5. Document features use of headings and subheadings
6. Cover page with names (instructor, student & course)
7. Cover page includes dates (start & completion) and numbers (student & course)
8. Microsoft Word® used to prepare & submit the document (no other formats permitted)
9. Font size is appropriate (no larger than size 12)
10. Student name appears in the document header
2 Critical Thinking: Canada and Canadians
11. Explanation how the selected topic affects Canada and Canadians
4 Critical Thinking: Textbook and other Resources
12. Includes minimum of 4 sources (including the textbook)
13. Includes BOTH in-text citations and full (complete) citations for each of the 4 (minimum) references used
1 Appendix A
14. Contains related content (graphs, charts, diagrams, pictures, etc.) 15. Includes subheading
1 Appendix B
16. Contains related content (graphs, charts, diagrams, pictures, etc.) 17. Includes subheading
2 Acknowledgments & Citations
18. Citations alphabetized
19. Citations are NOT sequentially numbered
20. Used the Citation Machine (www.citationmachine.net) to prepare citations on references page 21. DOES NOT include any “citations” that begin with http: or www.
22. All citations begin with the name of an author or website
23. Website addresses found at the end of the citation, not the beginning
0 MISSING COVER PAGE – MARK = ‘0’
USE OF http: or www. INSTEAD OF CITATIONS - MARK = ’0’ CONTAINS NO CITATIONS – MARK = ‘0’
OVERVIEW
International business greatly affects Canada and its economy. Demonstrate your critical thinking skills by examining a current international trade or business topic. This Selected Topics in International Business (STIB) assignment is completed by each individual student.
The global trading system and international business practices have increased the interconnectivity and interdependence of people, companies and organizations. The growing complexity of international business requires an understanding of the changes, impacts, emerging demands and trends that affect global economic systems.
This assignment focuses on the challenges faced by Canadian businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs.
Students identify and select a topic in international business, in consultation with the instructor, and prepare a report on the selected topic, explaining how Canada and Canadians are affected.
Students will identify and describe three key concepts associated with their selected topic.
PROCEDURE
1. Create a new document using Microsoft Word®. Other file formats will be ignored and you will not receive a mark unless your STIB is in Microsoft Word®.
2. Prepare a title page according to APA format (the standard for all documents at Georgian College), including your name, student number, course number, course name, date you began work on the assignment, date of completion, date of submission, Instructor’s name and title of your document. This earns marks.
3. Put your name in the “HEADER” of the new document. You may not receive marks without this information in the header.
4. Prepare a 2000-word (minimum) (five or six pages) written report on a selected topic in international business, in consultation with the instructor. The instructor will check this parameter. Words earn marks; don’t come up short on words. You should exceed the minimum number of words in your document. Use the ‘word count’ feature of your word processor to determine the number of words.
5. Your document must include two appendices (appendix – singular, appendices – plural). An appendix is a picture, chart, diagram, drawing, graph or other information that is too large to include in the main body of your paper. This information is attached or included at the end of your document after the page of references. This earns marks. Use a subheading for each appendix (Appendix A, Appendix B). An appendix is not a list of references or citations.
6. Near the beginning of your STIB, describe in your own words (in a paragraph) your special topic. Explain why this topic is of importance to Canada and Canadians.
7. Refer to the discussion of your selected topic in the textbook. Identify the concepts related to your selected topic from your text with subheadings. You get marks for using the textbook and not only citing it.
8. In addition to the textbook, use and refer to (in your citations) three additional information sources.
9. Use BOTH in-text and complete citations in your STIB. Your STIB must have in-text citations AND full citations on a page of references at the end of the document.
10. DO NOT cut and paste more than 2 sentences per occasion from the text. This helps to ensure that the bulk of your STIB is your writing and not the written work of the author(s) of your sources. More than 90% of your file should be written in your own words.
11. Prepare a citation for EACH information source you use as you gather your information. This will save you enormous time later trying to remember and re-locate your sources of information. You should build your list of citations as you go along, adding items to your list every time you use a new source of information. Identify BOTH electronic and physical sources of information you use.
12. Carefully review the item “References, Citations and Bibliographies” found via the “Procedures & Policies” link in the left side panel on the course site. It is your responsibility to learn how to prepare citations when producing academic work.
13. When you state a ‘fact’ about something controversial, you should be able to point to information in your appendices or references to support your controversial fact. Carefully review the item “Common Knowledge and Controversial Knowledge” found via the “Procedures & Policies” link in the left side panel on the course site.
14. Citations and appendices must be included in the same electronic file as the assignment.
15. Carefully review the instructor’s evaluation criteria in this document.
16. Do not use bullets in your written work. Use headings and subheadings where appropriate.
17. Use a sans-serif font (Arial, Verdana, Tahoma) no larger than size 12; single-spaced and justified paragraphs. Use spell check often and do a complete spelling and grammar check before submitting your file; there are marks for communication skills in the evaluation.
To submit your completed assignment, review the uploading instructions by clicking on the “Assignments” link in the left side panel on the course main page. This assignment generates 15% of your final grade.
Topic Suggestions: (consult the instructor regarding other selected topics)
18. Research the Canadian government’s trade websites and explain the resources available to Canadian manufacturers and potential exporters.
19. Is clean technology still a viable business solution especially in the current economic downturn? What are the challenges and opportunities for Canadian businesses to develop and market clean technologies?
20. The economies of the Asia Pacific region, including China and India, are expected to grow by over 50 percent in the next decade. Describe this vibrant and expanding market and share some Canadian success stories in the region.
21. Non-tariff barriers that companies must navigate before they can tap the potential of NAFTA.
22. Examine how the Government of Canada manages the way commercial goods coming into Canada are processed.
23. Explain the Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to identify potential threats, while facilitating the movement of low-risk shipments across the border.
24. Provide an overview of social media technologies useful for international trade, and describe (with examples) how to effectively leverage social media to build relationships across borders – both for business and education.
25. The health of the global economy has a substantial impact on Canada’s international trade. Outline Export Development Canada’s latest trade outlook and the implications for Canadian global trade.
26. Define the effect(s) of currency devaluation/appreciation on a Canada’s economy.
27. Describe typical differences among at least five different cultures, in the context of doing business between those cultures.
28. Define the advantages of selling directly to customers vs. selling through distribution / intermediaries (agents, distributors, trading houses, export management companies) and what considerations come into play when making the distribution decision.
29. Describe the implications of explosive growth of developing country cities on the trade of global energy supplies.
30. The rise of a global middle class is flattening the differences between rich and poor. Explain.
31. Canada is currently the EU’s 11th most important trading partner. The two sides have been in negotiations for a comprehensive economic and trade agreement for several years. Provide a status update.
32. Present the arguments for and against the operations of multinational corporations (MNCs) in developing countries. In your view, has globalization and the rise of the new international economy altered the equation in the relations between MNCs and Third World countries?
33. Describe reasons for expatriate failure and what can be done to increase an executive’s chance of succeeding in a foreign posting. Also, address key concerns and methods to reorient expatriates and their families once they return home.
34. Examine the impact of offshore tax-evasion and the impact on the Canadian economy.