Critically evaluate what particular aspects of Germany’s business environment it must take into account when assessing the decision to internationalise or not?.
Global business in context
A small UK manufacturing company is considering moving its production to a location in Germany in 2019. Critically evaluate what particular aspects of Germany’s business environment it must take into account when assessing the decision to internationalise or not? Use example(s) to illustrate your answer.
University notes
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Suggested Layout
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2100 words*
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Intro – identify all relevant (e.g.9) aspects (150 words*) and highlight (e.g.) 3 critical aspects.
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Overview of ‘6 not used’ or non-critical (300*)
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Aspect 1: explain, justify, analyse its impact i.e. will it assist them or stop them, highlight any potential changes, trends or risks (500*)
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2…..
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3….
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Conclusion (150 words*)
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Reference List
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Appendices (Brief Company profile, Country Profile of Germany etc)
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excludes tables, diagrams
Things to Watch
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use a Title, Contents and Subheadings to structure work,
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proof read to avoid typos or ‘wordy’ language; often typos survive that have been corrected in the draft feedback,
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many reports lack any real justification in the introduction for why choices/aspects were chosen or not – make sure that yours is not one of them
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overall knowledge and understanding is usually good in terms of major concepts or topics (e.g. Germany), but most reports need to develop the analysis of that information and relate it specifically to the context, i.e. the smaller company contemplating moving manufacturing from the UK. This will allow for better understanding of theory rather than a tendency to describe or reiterate theory – this point is usually as a result of unfamiliarity with the requirements of Masters level, and sometimes students in this situation will revert to previous familiar formats, e.g. Bachelors level, due to a lack of confidence
Student notes
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Considering moving an MNE (small-medium enterprise) to Germany, and, by the end should be giving reasoning for moving or not
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Could be either a real or fictional MNE
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Brexit should be mentioned, but not to be the main driver (could be a reason for moving there), but should have wider consideration
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A section with data – description of German economy that is relevant to chosen sector
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Descriptive statistic (e.g. growth, GDP; productivity, behaviour of the German economy)
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Analysis, reasoning
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Push and pull factors
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FDI – foreign direct investment
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Hofstede cultural dimensions model (culture, geographical, economic performance)
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Political environment – political risk etc.