This project has two components, a Research Paper (200 points) and a PowerPoint Presentation (100 points) Carefully read the project deliverables, requirements, and instructions on how to complete each.
Research Paper Requirements
2000 – 2300 words – the paper must have 2000 to 2300 words of research content. Keep in mind that the title page and the reference page do not count as part of the word count requirement.
You need to include the Word Count after the conclusion, for example (Word Count 2300)
Include a title page and a reference page
7 Sources – The paper must have a total of 7 sources
5 Quality Sources- the reference page needs to include at least 5 quality sources which can be: textbook, government websites, agency websites, international business publications, independent articles, and international organizations such as The World Bank, or The World Trade Organization; don’t use Wikipedia
2 Peer-reviewed Academic Articles – Use the SPC library to find 2 Peer-review articles that support your research. On the Reference page include a separate Sub-Heading that clearly shows the 2 articles you found and analyzed
All 7 sources must be cited throughout the paper
APA Format – paper must be submitted in 7th Edition APA format
Paper must be written in 3rd person
You need to include a subheading for each section of the paper as follows:
Central Issue
Country Profile
International Business Literature
Solutions & Recommendations
Research Paper Instructions
Section I -Choose a topic in international business and identify a particular Central Issue/Problem within the topic that affects a country outside The United States
The Central Issue or problem must be within the field of International Business; therefore, it must be closely related to the concepts and materials found in the textbook
To guide you in your selection, first, review the core topics found in each chapter and then think of an area of interest you would like to research
For instance, Chapter 6 discusses International Trade; a central issue within this topic is a country’s Trade Deficit
Chapter 11 discusses International Tax Strategies, a central issue within this topic is Tax Havens
Chapter 18 discusses Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, as additional resources; you can choose one of the Central Issues/Topics from the list shown below
Country Selection –
You will need to identify and discuss what country is mostly exposed to the central issue.
The main objective for Section I is for you to:
clearly articulate WHAT the central issue/problem is
describe the significance as to WHYthis central issue/problem matters for that country
you must clearly connect the topic to the problem, and the problem to the country
Section II – Country Profile
In the spirit of enriching your global outlook, in Section II you will present a profile of a country outside The United States. The profile needs to include information related to that country’s
Political system
Financial indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), trade balances, Foreign Direct Investment, and external debt
Economic indicators (how does this country rank globally? is it an advanced economy? Is it an emerging economy? It is a third-world economy?
Main industries
Social indicators such as demographics, and social classes
Foreign Direct Investment
International or regional alliances that this country belongs to
Selecting a country
Review Chapter 13 – Country Evaluation of Selection
Avoid selecting a topic AND country for which there is limited information, academic literature, data, case studies, reviews, or articles
Do not select countries in the OFAC list (North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, or Sudan)
Yes, you CAN select a foreign country and link it to the United States based on an international business topic. For instance, Ireland and The United States: Global Taxation Strategies; China and The United States: Global Supply Chain; Bangladesh and The United States: Outsourcing and child labor
Section III Review of the International Business Literature
This is an in-depth review, thus the objective of this section is for you to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, analysis, and insights related to the Topic and The Central Issue. To accomplish this objective, you need to conduct of comprehensive review of relevant literature that includes, but is not limited to
Identifying and analyzing theories that explain the topic of investigation
Identifying and analyzing international business strategies
Identifying, incorporating, and analyzing key concepts from the textbook that explain the topic and central issue
Comparing & contrasting different viewpoints, arguments, and studies’ findings
Identifying and analyzing key facts in the international business environment
Identifying and analyzing key data and statistics applicable to your topic and the central issue
Identifying and analyzing trends
Presenting and analyzing examples that support your topic and the central issue
Identifying and analyzing international business reports
Identifying and discussing names of key corporations, global organizations, regional agreements, and important leaders
The above points are listed in no particular order. You will need to build the flow of your literature review. You will need to “connect the dots/points” and decide in which order they need to be to create a cohesive review.
Section IV – Solutions and Recommendations
Now that you have a conducted solid review of the literature; it is time to discuss possible solutions and make recommendations to improve the central issue. Be tactical and strategic in your recommendations. Prioritize the proposed solutions. Discuss the HOW AND WHY these solutions could be effective. Do not write this section in 1st person (I think, I believe). Instead, you need to write it in 3rd person as it will present a more objective approach.
Be sure to support your solutions and recommendation with sources and evidence of research.
To give you a visual of how you need to structure and approach this project, here is a good example of a current issue in international business
Country: India and The United States
Topic: International Human Resources Management
Central Issue/Problem: Asian Brain drain, the exodus of Top-talent from India to the west. This is a trend and a problem for India in recent years. Smart and talented professionals are leaving India and migrating to the west.
Topic Ideas
Below is a list of various topics. Also, review the textbook chapters to get more topics and ideas for your project.
Globalization and culture
Globalization and business interdependence
Differences in political and/or social economy
Currency Exchange Markets- China’s currency manipulation
Business ethics
Culture and ethics
Differences in culture
Ethics in international business
International trade (trades balances imports-exports)
Trade agreements (example NAFTA, Mercosur)
Foreign direct investment, can FDI transform a country?
Regional economic integration & Trading blocs
Management of public and private sectors
State Owned Companies and Privatization
Strategic alliances
Regional agreements – problems with regional agreements
International Business Strategies
Finance and taxation strategies – tax shelters
Business and organizational structures
Organizational culture
Global capital markets
Monetary systems and policies
Outsourcing – is it beneficial?
International Trade Wars
Global corporate social responsibility
Global Human Resources: Global Management Staffing Strategies
Ethnocentric approach
Polycentric approach
Geocentric approach
Expatriate managers
Compensation systems
Technology and Job replacement
The New World Order: Shifting Powers in International Business
International Business: Data management and technology protection
Tax strategies in international business
Country tax strategies in international business
OTHER TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR PROJECT
This is an Upper-Level course; thus, a higher degree of quality research is expected
In the business world, data and facts help managers make better decisions. Therefore, as applicable to your project, include supportive quantitative information such as data, statistics, costs, percentages, rankings, and/or impact in $$$
Include supportive examples to elevate the quality of your analysis
Be more objective and less subjective
Quality online sources include government websites, academic journals, The World Bank, NGOs, business articles, magazines such as the Economist and Forbes, business textbooks, and/or other business publications.
What to avoid
Avoid selecting topics that steer away from the core material and concepts taught in this course. Avoid global issues such as “Hunger in Africa” “Russia & Ukraine War” as these are not subjects taught in the textbook chapters.
Avoid analysis related to political opinions. This course is not a political platform
Avoid extensive analysis related to COVID 19, instead, stay focused on the key topics and concepts of the textbook and International Business
