BSB119 Global Business Semester 1, 2018

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. (4 marks per conclusion)

Note: 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). Each conclusion should be at least about 150 words but not more than 200 words.

Country / Country A / Country B
1. Population / 207.35 million / 96.16 million
2. Area / 8.52 million km² / 331,210 km²
3. GDP / US$2.081 trillion / $216 billion
4. GDP Per capita (PPP) / US$ 15,500 / US$ 6,900
5. Gini Coefficient / .51 / .35
6. Population below poverty line / 3.7% / 11.3%
7. % of Urban Population / 86.2% / 34.9%
8. Main Exports / Transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee. / Clothes, shoes, electronics, seafood, rice, wooden products, crude oil.
9. Main Imports / Machinery, electrical & transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts. / Machinery & equipment, petroleum products, steel products, raw materials for manufacturing industries, automobiles.
10. Inflation / 3.7% / 4.4%
11. Internet Users (% of Population) / 59.7% / 42.7%
12. UN Human Development Index (HDI) / .514 / .337
13. Adult literacy rate
14. Labour Force by Occupation / 92.6%
10% agriculture, 39.8% industry, 50.2% services / 94.5%
48% agriculture, 21% industry, 31% services
15. Unemployment / 13.1% / 2.3%

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

Task: You will be informed regarding the two countries you are required to analyse for Assessment Item #2 (Country Analysis Report). Using the EIU database and Excel, construct a timeline graph of the % Change in GDP for these two countries for the years 2013 to 2023.

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 timeline 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).

An example on how to reference your data source. The source of data is EIU (2018). Country X and Country Y: Selected series 2013 to 2023 [Datafile]. Retrieved from https://eiu-bvdep-com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/version-2016811/cgi//template.dll?product=101&user=ipaddress&dummy_forcinglogininisapi=1)

(c) Foreign market entry mode – international joint venture (5 marks)

Task: A successful tech-based Australian firm is considering either to enter a foreign market through an international joint venture or to set up a wholly owned subsidiary. Explain the meaning of international joint venture as a foreign market entry mode and compare its benefits and risks against setting up a wholly owned subsidiary.

Note: This part should be at least about 200 words but not more than 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

International joint venture

Submitting your assignment

Submit one Word or PDF document by 2pm Friday 23rd March 2018.

Please upload well before 2pm in case you experience technical difficulties. Familiarise yourself with the QUT Late Assessment policy (files uploaded after 2pm, 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.

1