• Course Guide
• Introduction

Welcome to IBUS 3511: International Business.
This Course Guide contains important information about the course structure, learning materials, and expectations for completing the course requirements. It also provides information about how and when to contact your Open Learning Faculty Member, an expert in the course content, who will guide you through the course. Take some time to read through the Course Guide to familiarize yourself with what you need to do to successfully complete your course.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Open Learning Faculty Member. We hope you enjoy the course.
Note
Make sure to look at the Suggested Schedule and the instructions for the assignments and Final Exam.
Course Description
Students examine globalization and the steps managers take to establish or expand their operations in international markets. Students explore the influence of forces such as culture, economics, politics and geography on management decision making. Topics include the business and economic impact of globalization; the economic, geographical, social, cultural, political, and legal influences on global business; international business opportunities and modes of entry; the risks associated with global business; human resource needs for international operations; financing international ventures; international marketing issues, including customer benefits, promotions, pricing, product or service branding and targeting strategies; international production and distribution; and planning an international business venture.
Prerequisites

• None

Recommended Requisites

• MKTG 2431: Marketingor equivalent with a minimum C-
• ECON 1951: Principles of Macroeconomicsor equivalent with a minimum C-

Exclusion Requisites

• IBUS 3510: International Business
• BBUS 3510: International Business
• BBUS 3511: International Business

Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

• Provide insights into the concept and nature of international business.
• Develop an understanding of the phenomenon of globalization, forces behind globalization, and advantages and disadvantages of globalization.
• Develop an understanding of culture (components and characteristics) and analyze the effect of cultural environment of a country on international business.
• Discuss different political systems of the world and their effect on international business.
• Discuss different legal systems of the world and their implications for international business.
• Discuss various types of economic systems, and provide insights into their role and importance in international business.
• Explain the emerging role of ethics and corporate social responsibility in international business.
• Explain international trade theories and practices and develop an understanding of the dynamics of international trade.
• Discuss why governments influence/interfere in international trade and explain how business-government trade relations affect international business.
• Discuss the reasons for the popularity of Regional Economic Integration and understand its impact on international business.
• Explain Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and analyze why governments intervene (some support and some oppose) in FDI and the implications for international trade.
• Develop an understanding of how the international financial system works and its implications for international business.
• Provide insights into the international monetary system.
• Develop a country profile of a selected country to evaluate the opportunities and obstacles there for international business.

 
Course Materials
This section describes the course materials that you will need for IBUS 3511.
Required Textbook
The following textbook is required for this course:

• Wild, J. J., & Wild, K. L. (2019). International business: The challenges of globalization(9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-13-472922-0

Online Resources (Subject to Availability from the Publishers)
Web-based resources are used in this course. Databases and journals are available via the Internet. Lessons will often reference optional learning resources for further study. The ardent learner will also discover a wide range of relevant videos and magazines on the Internet. While IBUS 3511 focuses on established principles of international business, this is an active and dynamic field, influenced as much by current events as by history and theory.
Thompson Rivers University is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of third-party websites. Please read the terms of use of third-party websites carefully. If you need help accessing the site, please contact the publisher directly.
Note
If you have questions about course textbooks or other materials, email  OL Materials.
Required Hardware, Software, Computer Skills, and Other Resources
Technical Basics lists the hardware, software, and computer skills requirements for your course.
A computer with Internet access is required.
 
 
 

Course Topics

IBUS 3511: International Business includes the following twelve lessons:
Module 1: The International (Global) Business Environment

• Lesson 1: International Business and Globalization

Lesson 2: Cross-Cultural Business
Lesson 3: Political Economy and Political Systems
Module 2: Understanding the International Business Environment

• Lesson 4: Legal Systems

Lesson 5: Ethics and Social Responsibility
Lesson 6: Economic Development, Political Risk, and Emerging Markets
Module 3: International Trade and Investment

• Lesson 7: International Trade Theory

Lesson 8: Political Economy of Trade
Lesson 9: Foreign Direct Investment
Module 4: International Monetary and Financial Systems

• Lesson 10: Regional Economic Integration

Lesson 11: International Financial Markets and Foreign Exchange
Lesson 12: International Monetary Systems
These themes come together in Assignment 5.
 
 
 
Assignment 1: Globalization and Canadian Firms (10%)
Turn in Assignment 1 at the end of Lesson 3.
Introduction
Module 1 introduced the nature of international business and global economic development and tried to impress upon you the broadening scope and influence of globalization.
In Parts A and B, you will reflect back on the research you conducted in your reading to examine international business from a Canadian perspective or from the perspective of Canadian firms. In Part C, you will take the first step toward research for your Assignment 5 project, by writing a proposal for your international business venture.
Note
Assignments 1, 2, 3, and 4 progressively develop the foundation material for your Assignment 5 project, the international business country profile, which accounts for 25% of your course grade.
Instructions
Parts A to C are graded with a total of 100 marks. Save your assignment as a Word document and name it IBUS3511_A1_YOURLASTNAME.docx
Part A: Analyzing Challenges that Canadian Firms Encounter (20 marks)
Write a 2-page summary (500 words, double-spaced) in which you:

• Describe some of the challenges and opportunities for Canadian businesses entering foreign markets. Refer back to some of your readings in this module for ideas and specific examples that support your discussion.

Part B: Analyzing the Influence of Globalization on Canadian Firms (30 marks)
Write a 3–4-page report (750–1,000 words, double-spaced) on the following:

1. Using information from the textbook on the drivers for international business, and by researching information from the Internet, present examples of three Canadian companies that are entering or expanding their role in international business.
2. For each, identify: Who is the company? Is it a large, medium, or small enterprise? What is the primary good or service it markets? Where does it do business?
3. Conduct a preliminary analysis of these three companies’ international business entry modes, identify advantages they may be enjoying, and evaluate which globalization forces may be supporting their success. Defend your statements with evidence from the textbook, company reports, or other literature. The goal is to show your understanding of the challenges and opportunities of international business.

Note
Keep in mind that in subsequent assignments you will be developing an in-depth host country profile. Thus, for Part B, it may be advantageous to research companies, products, or services that are of interest to your venture, along with those that might be your potential competitors.
Part C: Proposing Your International Business Venture (50 marks)
Imagine that you are the owner or representative of a firm that has a product or service to take to the international market. First, identify the product or service that you will represent throughout the rest of this course. Then, invest some time researching and considering carefully the venture and its suitability for other countries. Since in subsequent modules you will spend many more hours researching and investigating the merit of this venture, an informed decision at this time will set the stage for both your interest and success in the Assignment 5 Project.
Write a two-page proposal (500 words, double-spaced) for a new international business venture that you will explore throughout the remaining modules in this course. Refer to Appendix A: Suggested Format/Outline for the Assignment 5 Project Proposal
Here are guidelines and criteria for the proposal:

1. It must be for the establishment of a new business venture in a foreign country (outside Canada), with the assumption that you are a Canadian entrepreneur or business operator planning this venture.
2. Clearly identify the product or service, and briefly describe the reasons why you think there is potential for success in launching this product in a global market.
3. Draw on information you learned in Module 1, as well as your background and education in business, and any travel experience that may provide you with ideas for a successful new international business venture.
4. The proposal should be realistic; that is, the product or service should not be pure fantasy, nor should it be immoral or illegal. You will need to find online resources, so be practical in your choice of country. Try to be creative in your choice, as the Open Learning Faculty Member may ask you to make another selection if it is already selected by others or has been overused in previous course offerings.
5. While you do not have to finalize your country at this time, you will be analyzing five to seven countries in order to identify two potential host countries, one of which will be the focus of your Assignment 5 project. Take time to verify that there is sufficient data available on websites such as Industry Canada, IMF, WTO, and UNDP to make the project possible. You should include the list of websites as an appendix to your proposal.
6. Hint: Google’s Public Datais a quick way to access many of these sites.

Notes:
The substance of your proposal contributes 40 marks are for the substance of your proposal, and 10 marks are for spelling, grammar, and the appropriate use of APA Style.
You are not required to finalize the country for your assignment 5 project at this time. In subsequent assignments, you will explore forces that will influence the choice of country or countries in which you plan to establish this business. By the time you reach Assignment 5, you will have focused on a single host country for your international business country profile.
General Completion Checklist

 
Assignment 2: The International Business Environment (15%)
Turn in Assignment 2 at the end of Lesson 6. The assignment has two components:

• Parts A to D (10%)
• Journal Reflection 1 (40 marks)

Introduction
Your goal in Assignment 2 is to identify two or three countries for further analysis.
In Module 2, you explored economic and socioeconomic, physical and environmental, socio-cultural, political, and legal forces and their influence on business. These are important forces to consider when expanding or establishing operations in a foreign country or investigating opportunities to target new markets in the global economy.
In Assignment 2, you will refer back to the learning activities you completed in Module 2, and use the lists and information you compiled in those activities to help you conduct research on the appropriate country/countries in which to establish your new business venture.
Instructions
Parts A to D are graded with a total of 100 marks. Journal Reflection 1 is graded out of 40 marks. Save your assignment as a Word document and name it IBUS3511_A2_YOURLASTNAME.docx
Part A: Assessing Environmental Forces (30 marks)
Write a 4–6-page report (1,000 to 1,500 words, double-spaced) with the following:

1. Conduct a preliminary assessment of geographic, social-cultural, political, legal, and economic factors that create international business opportunities or constraints facing the product or service that you have identified for your new international business.
2. Using the information you have collected above, identify five countries that you believe are potential targets for location of your business venture and briefly defend your selections.

Part B: Applying the SMART Model (30 marks)
Apply the Simple Multiple-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART) model for the five countries that you have selected as potential locations for your new international business venture. This model requires you to determine key factors that will influence your decision, to assign values for each criteria for each country, and to compare them in a numerical matrix to indicate the “best fit” for your product or service.

1. Read the material in Appendix D: The SMART Model for Decision Making in Business.
2. Create a table and apply the SMART model. Select at least five important criteria that you identified in Part A of this assignment for the location of your international business venture. You should have aminimum of five criteria to apply the SMART model for each of the five to seven countries you identified.
3. Using the results of application of the SMART model and based on the above criteria, select two countries that you believe are good potential host countries for your international business and clearly explain why these countries have the best potential.

Part C: Selecting Two Countries for Review (25 marks)
Write a 1-page proposal (250 words, double-spaced) to:
Select two countries for review. Explain your rationale.
Note
At this time, you are required to select two countries that you believe are appropriate for the location of your international business venture. For the remainder of the assignments, you will investigate these countries as part of the research and analysis for your international business venture. You may identify additional countries but will earn no extra marks for investigating more than two countries. If you feel you cannot limit your selection to two countries, you may discuss this with your Open Learning Faculty Member. Bear in mind that one of these countries will become the focus of the in-depth country profile you develop for your Assignment 5 project.
Part D: Assessing the Opportunities and Challenges (15 marks)
Write a 2-page report (500 words, double-spaced) to:
Summarize the information gathered in this assignment as it relates to forces influencing global business; briefly highlight the opportunities, challenges, and constraints for the potential success of internationalizing your product or service as they relate to the environmental forces in these countries.
Journal Reflection 1 (40 marks)
See Journal Reflections Topics and Questions, for instructions, topics, and marking information.
Modules 1 and Module 2 required your participation in the reflection topics listed in the discussion board forumof your course. At the end of Module 2, include a report of your reflections in assignment 2.Theis graded journal reflection requires you to look back at your contributions and to reflect on your learning experience.
Consider the following reflective questions:

1. Did the reflection prompts/questions and the ideas and information you explored influence your understanding of or perspective on international business?
2. Did your ideas and views shift as you progressed through the course?
3. Did the contributions of other learners influence you and help enrich your knowledge of international business?
4. Did you agree with everything others posted on the discussion board forum?

Write 1–2 pages (approximately 500 words) reviewing your journalling activity and contributions to the reflection prompts/questions of modules 1 and 2. The journal reflection requires you to look back at your contributions and to reflect on your learning experience. Document your best journal reflections. Also, you may include highlights from other activities and the course in general.
Consult the Rubric Section of Journal Reflections Topics and Questions, and then assign yourself a mark. Your Open Learning Faculty Member will verify your report and adjust your mark as she or he sees fit.
For further reading about journalling, please read Appendix C: Becoming a Reflective Learner.
General Completion Checklist

 
 
Assignment 3: International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment (10%)
Turn in Assignment 3 at the end of Lesson 9.
Introduction
In Lessons 3 to 9, you explored a variety of factors influencing international business operations, many of which are on a national scale or most relevant to larger, established corporations. Now it is time to examine the relevance of international trade barriers and treaties as they relate to those factors and the proposed international business for your two countries.
You will also consider whether your product or service would benefit from a foreign direct investment strategy and whether there are any Canadian government trade programs that might help you.
Note
This assignment contributes to the continuing development of Assignment 5.
Instructions
Parts A to D are graded with a total of 100 marks. Save your assignment as a Word document and name it IBUS3511_A3_YOURLASTNAME.docx
Part A: Economic Systems (20 marks)
Prepare a 2–3-page report (500–750 words, double-spaced) containing the following:

1. Characterize the economies of the two target countries that you selected in Assignment 2. Are they centrally planned, mixed, or free market economies? Explain your decision.
2. Using World Bank and or IMF data, make a 3 × 4 table to compare your two countries with Canada for four factors of economic development: GDP (per capita), GNP, PPP, and HDI. Make sure to cite your sources.

Hint:
Find the information you need on the World Bank, UNDP, or IMF websites, or search for it on Google Public Data.

3. Based on the information you have gathered, which of your two countries looks like a better place to do business? Why?

Part B: Trade Barriers and Treaties (40 marks)
Prepare a 3–4-page report (750–1,000 words, double-spaced) containing the following:

1. What was the mercantile system and why did it fail?
2. Compare absolute advantage with comparative advantage. How does the size of a country and the diversity of its economy impact on these theories?
3. How does one determine the suitability of a country for trade using Michael Porter’s Diamond?
4. Apply Porter’s Diamond to an analysis of your product or service industry for one of the countries you selected in Assignment 2. Your dDiamond analysis should be in point form and include descriptions of the following:
   • Factor conditions
   • Demand conditions
   • Related and supporting industries
   • Firm strategy, structure, and rivalry
5. Summarize with in a paragraph to summarize the interactions among these Diamond factors and any evidence of the role of government in your selected country.

Part C: Government Interference and Foreign Direct Investment (20 marks)
Prepare a 2–3-page report (500–750 words, double-spaced) containing the following:

1. What are the political, economic, and cultural motives for governments to interfere with international trade? Consider the rise of nationalism and protectionism in different parts of the world.
2. What methods might the governments of the countries you selected in Assignment 2 use to increase or restrict international trade?
3. To what extent do you think your product or service might attract government attention?
4. What is the difference between foreign direct investment and portfolio investment?
5. Would FDI be appropriate for your product or service in the two finalist countries you selected in Assignment 2? Explain.

Part D: Canadian Government Business Assistance (20 marks)
Prepare a 1–2-page report (250–500 words, double-spaced) containing the following:

1. Identify potential sources of financing and start-up support or assistance that may be appropriate for your international business.
2. List government sources of financial or other assistance for Canadian businesses establishing operations in foreign markets. These sources should be appropriate to your particular product/service.
3. Briefly explain why these government programs or agency programs and services are or are not a good fit with your needs.
4. A partial list of sources is contained in Appendix B: Suggested Format/Outline for Assignment 5 Project Report. Note that government programs will vary with time, so make sure you verify that your program information is current.

General Completion Checklist

 
 
 
Assignment 4: International Finance and Monetary System (15%)
Turn in Assignment 4 at the end of Lesson 12. The assignment has two components:

• Parts A to C (10%)
• Journal Reflection 2 (40 marks)

Introduction
In Lessons 10 to 12, you continued to examine international business issues related to economic co-operation, regional economic integration (trading blocs), and the international monetary system.
Note
This assignment will contribute to the development of your Assignment 5.
Instructions
Parts A to C are graded with a total of 100 marks. Journal Reflection 2 is graded out of 40 marks.
Save your assignment as a Word document and name it IBUS3511_A4_YOURLASTNAME.docx.
Part A: Economic Cooperation and Regional Economic Integration (30 marks)
Prepare a 2–3-page report (500–750 words, double-spaced) containing the following:

1. Of which trading blocs are your two target countries members? If not part of a bloc, which bloc do you think they should join? Describe the advantages and disadvantages of being part of a trading bloc.
2. How will Canada’s membership in NAFTA/CUSMA help or hinder your ability to take your product or service to your two target countries? Discuss challenges and opportunities for Canadian companies working under the new Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
3. What is the difference between a free trade agreement (such as NAFTA/CUSMA) and an economic union (such as the EU)?
4. What would be the advantages and disadvantages for Canada to join a customs union with the USA and Mexico?
5. What are the stated aims of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)? What are the risks of working with a business partner from ASEAN?

Part B: International Money Markets and Foreign Exchange (40 marks)
Prepare a 3–4-page report (750–1,000 words, double-spaced) that responds to the following:

1. In many ways, the economy of a country is like the economy of a household. If the household spends more than it earns, then it faces difficult times. On the other hand, if it earns more than it spends, then it can save for a rainy day. Discuss the relevance of this analogy to the economy of a country. In particular, discuss imports, exports, the balance of payments, and the strengthening or weakening of the nation’s currency.
2. When the USA experienced high inflation in the 1970s, Canada also experienced high inflation. Indeed, Canada was said to have “imported inflation” from the USA. If Canada’s exports to the USA were high, Canada’s foreign exchange reserves would have increased. Since exports create jobs, how could Canada have imported inflation from the USA?
3. Suppose a Canadian firm wants to import canned beef from Brazil. The shape of graph of GDP per capita (in US$) from 1960 to 2005 (below) shows that Canada has a significantly higher rate of GDP increase and a higher rate of exports. Based on these two factors, which country had the harder currency during this period? Why? Which country do had the greater rate of inflation in this period? Why? Find the relevant PPP numbers for each country. Does the result match your analysis?
4. Based on the 1960–2005 period, if a Canadian company were to import from Brazil and must pay in Brazilian reais when the goods are delivered in 90  days, should the company get the currency through the spot or the futures market? Why? Would it be different if the company had to pay in US$? Explain.

Part C: International Monetary Systems (30 marks)
Prepare a 2–4-page report (500–1,000 words, double-spaced) to reflect on and compare the current economic, political, technical, and financial risks your international business will face entering the two countries you selected.
Considerations might include:

• Economic stability
• Currency fluctuations and inflation
• Rising nationalism, protectionism, and other political uncertainties
• Potential changes in administrative trade barriers
• Accounting practices
• Relevant cultural or technological forces

Hint:
A quick search of reliable Internet sources may help you formulate some thoughts about these and other factors and current events that will impact your planning. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. This is your opportunity to show your ability to look at data and draw some evidence-based conclusions that demonstrate your understanding of how political and economic pressures impact currency flows and international business.
Journal Reflection 2 (40 marks)
See your Journal Reflections Topics and Questions, for instructions, topics, and marking information.
Modules 3 and Module 4 required your participation in the reflection topics listed in the discussion boardforum. At the end of Module 4, include a report of your reflections in Assignment 2.Theis graded jJournal rReflection requires you to look back at your contributions and to reflect on your learning experience.
Consider the following reflective questions:

1. Did the topics for reflection and the ideas and information you explored influence your understanding of or perspective on international business?
2. Did your ideas and views shift as you progressed through the course?
3. Did the contributions of other learners influence you and help enrich your knowledge of international business?
4. Did you agree with everything others posted on the discussion boardforum?

Write 1–2 pages (approximately 500 words) reviewing your journalling activity and contributions to the reflection prompts/questions of mModules  3 and 4. The journal reflection requires you to look back at your contributions and to reflect on your learning experience. Document your best journal reflections. Also, you may include highlights from other activities and the course in general.
Consult the Rubric section in Journal Reflections Topics and Questions and then assign yourself a mark. Your Open Learning Faculty Member will verify your report and adjust your mark as she or he sees fit.
For further reading about journalling, please read Appendix C: Becoming a Reflective Learner.
General Completion Checklist

 
 
 
Assignment 5: Country Profile for International Business (25%)
Instructions
Turn in Assignment 5 at the end of Lesson 12.
 
Read through this full set of instructions for the Assignment 5 Project at the beginning of the course so you can familiarize yourself with the expectations. It’s not too early to start thinking about countries of interest for international business that you might want to work on for this project. In order to develop a high-quality project, it is recommended that you have frequent and ongoing consultations with your Open Learning Faculty Member.
Introduction
Assignment 5 involves selecting a country for your international business and developing a thorough country analysis regarding the opportunities and obstacles for international business. Assignment 5 is an individual project, not a group project. 
Assignment 5 will be the practical application of various concepts you study during this course. To start, select a country other than Canada that you think is a suitable host for your international business. For the purpose of this project, you can think of yourself as a manager of a large international firm or an owner of a small business with products and/or services that have potential demand in the host country. You are seeking to enter this country and to participate in international business. The aim of this project is to assess the suitability of the host country for your international entry, based on all the issues you studied in this course (cultural, political, economic, etc.).
Assignment 5 Project Proposal (Part C of Assignment 1)
You will submit the Assignment 5 Project proposal at the end of Lesson 3 as Part C of Assignment 1. The proposal should be two- to three-pages (about 500 words, double-spaced) analyzing five to seven countries in order to identify two potential host countries, one of which will be the focus of your Assignment 5 Project.
The business idea and its products or services should be innovative, but practical and realistic, and should not be pure fantasy. It is not important to finalize your selection of a host country in the proposal.
If the proposal is satisfactory, your Open Learning Faculty Member will approve your proposal; otherwise, he or she will return the proposal with feedback and you will resubmit the revised project proposal within one Lesson.
Learners will be advised to redo Part C if the good or service is inappropriate for Assignment 5. This includes projects that are immoral, illegal, impractical, insignificant, or uncreative (i.e., because they are already chosen by others or were over-used in previous course offerings).
Once approved, any further changes to the project proposal can only be made with prior approval of your Open Learning Faculty Member.
Distribution of Marks

• Assignment 5 is worth 25% of the final course grade.
• An additional 5% is earned for completion of the proposal, which is graded as part of Assignment 1.

Assignment 5 Project Report
You are strongly advised to start working on the Assignment 5 as soon as your project proposal is approved. You are encouraged to consult your Open Learning Faculty Member regularly. Each assignment has questions that pertain to Assignment 5, and it is strongly recommended that you work on your projects as you progress through the lessons and not wait till the very end of the course.
See Appendix B: Suggested Format/Outline for Assignment 5 Project Report for a suggested format for the Assignment 5 Project report. You are at liberty to make suitable changes as you deem fit, basing on your individual project requirements. However, sticking to the broad suggested format will help you in developing the required skills faster in a structured and modular manner.
Country analysis reports normally vary in size from 25 pages to 40 pages (excluding appendices), depending the nature of review and the depth of knowledge needed. You will submit Assignment 5 as a comprehensive formal report of 25 pages or more (excluding appendices), keeping the scope and nature of your project in mind, by the end of Lesson 14. The suggested length is only for guidance, and the page count alone will not be the basis of assessment. Assignment 5 marks will be awarded on the quality of the contents and not just for following the format given.
Making sure that the project is objective, scope is clear, and methodology is correct is the responsibility of students. Pursuing the project with false presumptions may lead to wrong conclusions and poor quality work and might result in low marks. The only way to avoid such a situation is through active and continuous consultations with the Open Learning Faculty Member. You are advised and encouraged to have regular interactions with the Open Learning Faculty Member. In case of any doubt, ask for clarification immediately.
Sources for Research Data
To learn more about primary sources and begin to find sources online, please consult TRU Library’s guides on primary sources for international business.

• Introduction to Business Research

Web-Based Resources

• Industry Canada
• Statistics Canada
• World Trade Organization
• World Bank
• International Monetary Fund
• CIA World Factbook
• European Union
• Asian Development Bank
• Google Public Data Explorer (beta)

Formatting
APA Style is required for your Assignment 5 Project. For examples and information on APA citation style (6th edition), refer to TRU Library’s APA Citation Style Guide resource.
Assignment 5 Proposal (5%)
The Assignment 5 Project Proposal is submitted as Part C of Assignment 1. The proposal is marked out of 50 marks and is worth 5% of your final grade in the course.
Criteria for Evaluation
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the proposal for your Assignment 5 Project.
Substance (40 marks)

• The project is in the area of international business. It involves the analysis of a country and its suitability for your international business. (2 marks)
• The proposal is for a real or realistic and practical business. (2 marks)
• The host country has been selected based on a sound business prospectus. (2 marks)
• There is enough preliminary data from secondary sources like Industry Canada or other international sources justifying your project (supported by a minimum of one primary source and five secondary sources of data). (2 marks).

Writing Style and Format (10 marks)

• Paragraphs are unified, developed, and coherent, with transitions between ideas.
• Sentences are grammatically correct; words are chosen for accuracy and impact.
• The writing follows the conventions of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Format follows proper in-text citations and provides a properly formatted references section (use APA style).

Assignment 5: Country Profile for International Business (25%)
This Project is marked out of 100 marks and is worth 25% of your final grade in the course.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate Assignment 5:
Substance (85 marks)

• Introductory information and Executive Summary (5 marks)
• The project objective and scope of project, company information, products, and background (5 marks)
• Host country information (geography, size, population, demographics, etc.) (5 marks)
• Analysis of culture of host country and its impact (5 marks)
• Analysis of political system of host country. Comparison with the Canadian political system. (5 marks)
• Analysis of legal systems. Comparison with the Canadian legal system. (5 marks)
• Analysis of economic system (5 marks)
• Analysis of government and business relations (5 marks)
• Opportunities for foreign direct investment (5 marks)
• Country’s integration into regional unions (5 marks)
• Financial system and management of foreign exchange (5 marks)
• Political risks (5 marks)
• Economic risks (5 marks)
• Discussion and findings about suitability (10 marks)
• Recommendations (5 marks)
• Appendices (if any) and references cited (5 marks)

Writing Style and Format (15 marks)

• Paragraphs are unified, developed, and coherent, with transitions between ideas.
• Words are chosen for accuracy and impact.
• Writing follows the conventions of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Format follows proper footnote citations and provides a properly formatted bibliography (APA style).

Guide to Assigned Grades
In marking this project, your Open Learning Faculty Member will assess your ability to effectively analyze opportunities and obstacles to international business in an elected country.
The international business research project report must also demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of the material, and your writing must be clear, concise, and grammatically correct and include proper APA format and citations. A first-class, or “A,” paper (80–100%) will meet these criteria, and all lesser grades will have missed at least one of the ingredients or proved to be weaker than expected standard, just described.
The following guidelines may help you set standards for your Assignment 5 Project and interpret the mark you receive.
80% and above:
A first-class business plan (A+/A/A–) exhibits excellence in style, demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the material, and provides evidence of creative thinking. The idea is innovative; idea evaluation is objective; feasibility studies are excellent; and industry analysis and marketing research are outstanding. The financial forecasting is realistic and achievable along with a clear risk management plan supported by synthesis of well-researched information throughout. It shows originality and insightfulness, and it is written in clear, fluent, and technically correct prose. References are properly and consistently cited and recorded using APA style. Outside investors will invest in the proposed venture with full confidence in the proposed business plan.
70–79%:
A second-class paper (B+/B/B–) represents solid, above-average competence and achievement. In a business plan of this quality, the ideas are sound; idea evaluation and feasibility studies are convincing; and the marketing research and marketing plan are good. The financial projections are achievable, but some doubts remain. Risk management is reasonably accurate, substantiated, and shows some originality; in an otherwise strong business plan, expression might be inconsistent, incomplete, or incorrect in the use of supporting data, and it may display minor structural weaknesses. The presentation style is good but there is room for improvement. Outside investors may invest with some changes to the business plan.
60–69%:
A paper at this level (C+/C/C–) is of average competence and demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the subject knowledge, but incomplete grasp of the issues involved in creating successful new ventures. The idea may be workable but not in the way proposed in the business plan. The business idea is not innovative enough or tends to be vague. Feasibility studies and financial projections are not convincing. The risk analysis is not satisfactory. The presentation style is weak and exhibits problems in expression, organization, style, or mechanics. The business plan does not inspire confidence of investors, and outside investors are not likely to invest in the business in the present form. To make the business plan effective, substantive improvements may be needed.
50–59%:
A paper at this level (D range) indicates a weak or barely adequate understanding of the mechanics involved in creating new business ventures. Ideas are run of the mill type, and the business plan is not supported by accurate research. The financial projections may not be achievable, and the risk management plan is poor. Investors will consider such investment as very risky and will not participate. A grade at this level warns that more energy and effort are needed.
Below 50%:
A grade at this level is a fail and indicates that the business plan is unsatisfactory either in content or expression (or both) and that it does not demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the material.