IBS803 INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT – PROFESSIONAL REPORT BRIEF 40%

PROFESSIONAL REPORT BRIEF

Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to enable you to apply knowledge and skills learnt
through the course to a real situation. Application of concepts and theories enables you to
demonstrate sound knowledge of the course material and provides you with the skills and
confidence to be able to transition your knowledge in to professional situations.
Weighting: 40%

Due: TBA

Requirement: You are required to construct an inductive 1 report on an International Strategic

Management topic. The development of an inductive report is a strongly applied piece of work and
must link theory and realism.

The focus of your report is a New Zealand enterprise who is, or could, undertake international
expansion. Your report will provide the enterprise with their international strategy.
Please remember that the report must demonstrate comprehension of the whole international
strategic management field, and address the learning outcomes. Therefore, whatever enterprise you
choose you must make conduct significant independent research, make utilise the strategic
management frameworks, concepts and terminology that you have encountered in workshops and
self-learning.
Refer: You should read the following learning guides:
 Critical reading
 Writing a professional report

Length: Approximately 8 – 10 pages (approximately 3,500 words), plus bibliography and appendices
Learning outcome(s) addressed:

1. Undertake strategic analysis of an organisation within the international business

environment.
2. Engage in problem-solving to construct the strategic options available to organisations
internationally.
3. Develop intellectually strategic management plans to enable organisations to effectively
pursue opportunities and mitigate risks.
4. Evaluate the quality and progress of a proposed, or actual, international business strategy,
and how to monitor this.
Advice:
 Please read the Professional Report learning guide. It is important for you to understand
what you need to do, why you need to do it, and how to do it.
 Make a plan. Planning assists both the compiling of the report, and therefore the output.

1 Such reports are ideal for an audience who has the time to read the report from cover to cover, and also in instances where the findings
may be somewhat controversial, hence, the need to demonstrate your reasoning and evidence, as laid out in the discussion, for the
recommendations decided upon.

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IBS803 INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT – PROFESSIONAL REPORT BRIEF 40%

 Start early. This is a significant piece of work and can’t be completed in a short period of
time.
 Please refer to the marking schedule. This schedule will be the criteria against which your
work will be marked. Use it as a checklist.
 Get feedback on your work. This is better if it is sought earlier rather than later.

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IBS803 INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT – PROFESSIONAL REPORT BRIEF 40%

APPENDIX 1. PROFESSIONAL REPORT MARKING SCHEDULE

Name:

Section Marking Criteria Mark

Title - Well-chosen subject

Executive - A useful summary of the entire report

summary - Covers the essence of the aims, objectives, findings and main
recommendations.
/10
Introduction - Provides an overview of the subject matter of the report
- Establishes the context of the report
/10 - Includes a statement about the change, problem or issue that
needs investigating
- Terms of reference or scope of the report
- Defines the objectives of the report
- Sets readers expectations
- States any limitations or assumptions
Discussion - Analyses the situation using theoretical and practical concepts
- Uses evidence to back claims
/40 - Is logical and creates sound argument
- Major topics identified
- Develops the main issues/themes
Conclusions - Summarises the key findings – the key issues or problems in the
situation
/10 - Grounded in the present situation
- Listed as numbered points in order of importance
- Relate directly to the objectives of the report
Recommendations - Details the course of action that should be followed
- Recommendations flow from findings
/10 - Action oriented & focus on the future
- Are specific, realistic and achievable
Presentation - Clear communication
- Sound structure
/5 - Format, layout, spelling etc.
- Uses appendices to supplement discussion
- In own language (i.e., >90% paraphrased & <10% quotes).
Research - Relevant information
- Sources referenced correctly
/15 - Broad and deep reference material
- Valid information
- Referencing, in-text and listed
TOTAL MARKS (%) 100.00

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IBS803 INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT – PROFESSIONAL REPORT BRIEF 40%

Grade Criteria
A-/A-A+ - A comprehensive exploration of the topic, with sound critical comment and a clear
(Outstandin synthesis of the issues. Original and/or scholarly content and depth of theoretical
g/Excellent) analysis.
- A lucid and logically structured argument with systematic and critical evaluation of
the main points.
- Detailed support from literature with references appropriately integrated.
- High quality sources identified, interpreted and evaluated
- Virtually flawless presentation. Clear, concise and logically presented argument
and/or discussion.
B/B+ (Very - A systematic exploration of the assignment topic which may include some critical
Good) comment and appraisal. Substantive content.
- Clear introduction, conclusion and thematic sequence, with main points
elaborated.
- Regular support provided from the literature. Use of quotes where appropriate,
with some interpretive comment.
- Clear expression, well-constructed sentences and paragraphs with few
presentation flaws.
C+/B- - A reasonably balanced summary of the issues as reflected in course study
(Competent) materials. Adequate content but lacking theoretical depth.
- Clear introduction, with some organization of main points but lacking clear links
and/or thematic sequence
- The text of the assignment shows that the course materials have been read and
acknowledged. An accurate bibliography is attached
- Most presentation details met e.g. spacing, fonts, margin, legibility, citations,
grammar, and spelling.
C - Assignment requirements/topic not fully covered. Material is insufficiently
(Acceptable) elaborated.
- Overuse of quotations with little explanation. Acceptable but flawed content
- Adequate introduction, with structure barely discernible and/or somewhat
confused and some major points missed.
- Reference material is not well integrated into text of the assignment. Little
evidence that quality of sources has been considered.
- Limited acknowledgement and light bibliography
- Minor presentation flaws.
D (Flawed) - Unacceptable and flawed content, unreflective personal comment, incoherent
argument
- Structure very confused, not discernible, not explained.
- Little or no evidence of critical reading in the text of the assignment
- Inadequate acknowledgements and/or bibliography
- Major presentation flaws.