[SOLVED] Final Exam Study Assignment: Take-Home Option

Final Exam Study Assignment: Take-Home Option

Introduction

You act as an individual IntEnt business consultant. XYZ, your U.S.-headquartered small-medium sized manufacturing enterprise (SME) client, has learned of healthy returns enjoyed by competitors in their overseas business. XYZ is seeking your advice on international business expansion. XYZ asked you to conduct a mini international marketing feasibility study and develop strategic recommendations for its international expansion.
Your international business feasibility study should map out your client’s international expansion and set up a business venture with a view of a medium-term success (a profitable business). Your client does not limit your choice by specific countries or other constraints and conditions imposed on your research (it is your task to identify and advise on those issues, if any).
Assignment
For the purpose of this exam assignment, please complete the following steps:

1. Select 1 (one) product from THOMASNET https://www.thomasnet.com/browse/). No need to coordinate your product selection with other students or with the instructor. For verification and grading purposes, please include a 1-page screenshot in PDF of your chosen product description on the company web site to your Final exam report (the last page).

 

2. Based on the chosen product, conduct a comprehensive market research and find the best market (country) for your client’s international business expansion. You must use the step-by-step international market research methodology. PLEASE DO NOT SKIP THE STEP-BY STEP PROCEDURE: skipping this requirement will result in grade reduction. The step-by-step methodology can be found in one of my PPPs or directly at http://2016.export.gov/mrktresearch/eg_main_018210.asp.

 

3. Identify at least one international business partner (“lead”) in the target country and provide contact information (briefly explain how you arrived to your choice of this partner and what sources of information/assistance you have used. I should be able to verify the steps of your research in grading your final exam report. For instance: https://www.exportsolutions.com/About, https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-resources/trade-leads, or other alternative reputable sources.

 

4. Suggest and justify the best practical entry strategy out of the following options: Ÿexporting, Ÿjoint venture, Ÿlicensing/franchise, or a Ÿ100% subsidiary.

 

5. Summarize strategic benefits/costs/risks related to your recommendations.

 

6. You are allowed to ask your client via e-mail up to 3 questions regarding the project.

Submission Format

1. Your take-home exam is designed to test your integrated knowledge and applied skills in IntEnt through conducting an individual mini-feasibility study of international small business venture start-up. Please focus your effort in both academic and practical aspects.

 

1. Your exam report should demonstrate your best effort in reflecting all materials and sources that have been discussed and/or recommended throughout the course, e.g. readings, handouts, electronic, and conventional sources, videos, class discussions, cases, speakers, and other resources.

 

1. Your exam work must result in a professional report (≤4 pages + 1 extra page (a screenshot) for product/business description): business memo format, well organized, structured and prioritized, single space, no separate title page, no table of contents.

 

2022. An electronic copy of your exam report formatted in Word or PDF as an attached file via Brightspace is due no later than 7:20 PM on May 3, 2022.
      1. Please make sure to include in your report the HS or NAICS product code used in the step-by-step market research to enable verification of your analysis and grading.
      2. Make sure that all items of the Final exam assignment are covered: the intensity of the finals week and a large volume of grading under the time constraints give very limited flexibility to fix glitches and address unexpected surprises.
      3. Early submission of your Final exam report is welcome.

 

1. Grading will be based on all the evidence demonstrated in your report (please refer to item B for detail) as follows:

• The breadth of your knowledge (variety of sources of information and assistance in IntEnt).
• Practical ability to use the sources in conducting business research and preparing a report.
• Quality of the report:

• Solutions, recommendations.
• Analytical justification:
• Logical, compelling.

Most Common Imperfections Causing Deduction of Grade Points

• Late submission
• Missing NAICS or HS code
• Failure to provide links for verification of analysis and recommendations
• Skipping some assignment items
• Exceeding the set ≤ 5 page (4+1) limit