Assignment Brief (RQF)

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business

Student Name/ID Number

Unit Number and Title Unit 25: Global Business Environment

Academic Year 2023

Unit Tutor Ms. Mi Mi Hlaing

Assignment Title Navigating the Global Business Environment: Analysis and

Strategy Development

Issue Date 18.9.2023

Submission Date 24.10.2023

Submission Format
 Use PDF format to submit your Assignment.
 Use Harvard referencing system.
 In report writing this should be written in a concise, formal business style using
spacing 1.5 and font – Times New Roman and size 12 in report.
 Carefully check the submission date and the instructions given with the assignments.
 Late assignments will not be accepted, except for valid circumstances with
supporting evidence.
 Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the due
date.

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  Do not leave things such as printing to the late minute-excuses of this nature
will not be accepted for failure to hand-in the work time.
 You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively.
 If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons such
as illness, you may apply (in writing) for an on extension.
 Take great care that if you use other people’s work or ideas in your assignment, you
properly reference them in your text and any bibliography.
 Plagiarism is on offence. Plagiarized work will be differed.

Formative feedback:
 9.10.2023 (Monday), 10.10.2023 (Tuesday)
Submit your final work via moodle.gusto-education.com by
 24.10.2023 (Tuesday) 23:55 pm

All your work must be supported with research and referenced correctly using the Harvard
referencing system. You also need to provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing
system. Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied
correctly.

The recommended word count is +/- 5000 words, although you will not be penalised for
going under or exceeding the total word limit.

Unit Learning Outcomes

The purpose of this assignment is to:

LO1 Analyse the key factors which drive globalisation.
LO2 Determine the strategic complexities associated with operating in a global environment

Transferable skills and competencies developed

 Commercial acumen based on an awareness of the key drivers for business
success
 The ablity to analyse and evaluate a range of business idea, sources of
information and approprite methodologies
 Strong digital literacy
 Articulating and effectively explaining information

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  Communication and listening the ability to produce clear, structured business
communications in a variety of media

Vocational scenario

Organisation:
Recently, there is a trend that some firms considered to withdraw their manufacturing plants
from their local countries, which are nearly losing growth potential, to establish new ones in
other countries that can give the lucrative opportunities for competitive advantage.

GOLDEN GALAXY is a global network of management consultancy firms providing

advisory services in many countries. GOLDEN GALAXY was established in several years
ago and now is the one of the largest professional service firms with a balanced mix of
international and local clients, helping them to mitigate risks and grasp opportunities in
global business environment. Its mission statement is ‘To help our clients make significant
and lasting improvements to performance in a global, digitalised world'.

The business aims to support and help its clients grow and build capabilities and leadership
skills at every level, especially in the areas of digital and ecommerce. The focus is on
working with organisations that want to expand their global reach and manage the challenges
and complexities that result from operating in an international and global context. Typical
consultancy projects take between one to six months. One Senior Partner is attached to the
projects, together with an Engagement Manager and two or three Business Analysts.

The company publishes an industry review called Global Business Quarterly – a ‘thought
leadership’ publication that provides insights into both current and prospective clients.

Role:
You have recently joined the organisation as a Global Strategy Analyst at GOLDEN
GALAXY Insight Center, which provides in-depth professional business research on
corporate, industry and global scale. Your task is to assist researching activities of the senior
research specialist at the center. On the basis of your experience to date, recently you have
been asked to draft an industry review* (industry is your choice) that will utilize in the
next edition of Global Business Quarterly review material pack. The review will be
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published on the GOLDEN GALAXY Online Insights for existing clients and attracting
new potential clients.

Assignment activity and guidance

The overall aim of the industry review is to address the complexities associated with
operating in a global environment for businesses in general and for companies of the
specified industry in specific. To further support the readers' understanding of the research
purpose, you will need to analyse the key factors that are driving globalisation in general
first. You are required to research and produce the industry review; it should include the
followings:
 An introduction to the concept of globalisation.
 An analysis of key factors that drive globalisation and trade, with reference to
cultural, economic, political and social dimensions, and the complexities this
necessitates.
 A critical analysis and evaluation of the impact that these factors have on the
business environment in terms of opportunities and challenges.
 Evaluation of the impact of digital technologies on globalisation and the role of
innovation.
 Recommendations on how organisations can respond to, and thrive in, a globalised,
digitalised world.
The industry report should include contemporary examples, as well as reference to relevant
academic theory and models.

Grading Criteria
P1 Analyse key factors of cost, market, environment and competition that drive global
commerce and trade
M1 Critically analyse the impact that key factors have on the global business environment in
terms of opportunities and challenges.
P2 Examine the complexity of strategic challenges faced by organisations when operating in
a global environment, supported by specific examples.
M2 Evaluate strategic challenges in context of risk and diversification and the supply chain
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flow.
D1 Critically evaluate the global business environment, including the opportunities and
challenges faced by organisation

Unit Learning Outcomes

The purpose of this assignment is to:

LO3 Evaluate how operating in a global market influences an organisation’s structure,
culture and functions
LO4 Develop a global strategy to support decision making for a given organisation

Transferable skills and competencies developed

 Commercial acumen based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success
 The ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information
and appropriate methodologies
 Strong digital literacy
 Articulating and effectively explaining information
 Communication and listening, including the ability to produce clear, structured
business communications in a variety of media.

Vocational scenario
With reference to the above scenario, you are a Global Strategy Analyst working in
GOLDEN GALAXY, which is one of the foremost global management consultancy
organisations. You have successfully completed a ‘thought leadership’ review for the next
issue of the Global Business Quarterly, exploring the issues driving globalisation and the
accompanying complexities faced by both national and international organisations. You
have now been allocated a new project. This involves working closely with other analysts to
support the ongoing work for one of company’s large clients.

Assignment activity and guidance

The client's company currently operates in only one country and has been successful in its
local market, but is now facing increased competiton and stagnant growth. Because of this

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 current situation, the client is looking to expand its operations into new international
markets. The client in the inquiry has asked for help in developing a global strategy that will
fully support organisational resource allocation and decision making. You will also need to
consider how the international business operations run, the importance of culture awareness
and differences, and its link to effective leadership and organisational structure.

You have been asked to prepare and deliver a business case presentation to the client,
outlining a framework for a global strategy. Having discussed this in detail with your fellow
analysts and your Senior Partner, you agree that the business case will need to include the
following.
1. An appropriate introduction and the purpose of the business case.
2. An evaluation of the different decision-making models available to your client
operating in a global environment.
3. A critical evaluation of the influences of globalisation on governance, leadership and
organisational structure, making use of McKinsey’s 7S model.
4. An evaluation of how ethical, sustainable and cultural factors will influence the
global operations of your client.
5. Suggested objectives and strategies developed to achieve competitive advantage for
your client and satisfy the needs of different stakeholders in a global context. Valid
and justified recommendations of how your client might adapt its organisational
structure and strategy to optimise responsiveness and decision making in a global
context.
6. Valid and justified recommendations of how your client might adapt its
organisational structure and strategy to optimise responsiveness and decision making
in a global context.

Your business case should also include recommendations for how the company can leverage
its existing resources and capabilities to support its global expansion, and a plan for
implementating the global business strategy.

In addition to this, you will also be required to deliver a presentation to the company's
executive team, outlining your findings and recommendations. The presentation should be
visually engaging and highlight the key points of your report.

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 As part of your research, you will be required to conduct primary and secondary research,
using a range of sources including academic journals, industry reports, and online databases.
You will also be expected to engage with current trends and emerging opportunities in the
global business environment, demonstrating an awareness of their potential impact on the
company's future strategy.

Grading Criteria:

P3 Evaluate the influences of globalisation on organisational governance and leadership,

structure, culture and functions.
P4 Discuss the influences of ethical and sustainable globalisation on organisational functions.
M3 Critically evaluate influences of globalisation on organisational structure and culture and
functions.
D2 Make valid and justified recommendations of how organisations should adapt their
organisational structure and strategy to support decision making in a global context.
P5 Evaluate the different ways that decision making can work effectively in a global context.
P6 Devise objectives and strategies to support global decision making to meet business
objectives.
M4 Devise strategies that meet a range of different stakeholder perspectives in a global
context.
D3 Develop strategies that embed an integrated approach across different countries to
achieve competitive advantage.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

Learning
Pass Merit Distinction
Outcome

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LO1 Analyse P1 Analyse key M1 Critically analyse the D1 Critically evaluate the
the key factors factors of cost, impact that key factors global business
which drive market, environment have on the global environment, including the
globalisation and competition that business environment in opportunities and challenges
drive global terms of opportunities and faced by organisation
commerce and trade challenges.

LO2 Determine P2 Examine the M2 Evaluate strategic

the strategic complexity of challenges in context of
complexities strategic challenges risk and diversification
associated faced by and the supply chain flow.
organisations. organisations when
with operating operating in a global
in a global environment,
environment supported by specific
examples.
LO3 Evaluate P3 Evaluate the M3 Critically evaluate D2 Make valid and justified
how operating influences of influences of recommendations of how
in a global globalisation on globalisation on organisations should adapt
market organisational organisational structure their organisational
influences an governance and and culture and functions. structure and strategy to
organisation’s leadership, structure, support decision making
structure, culture and in a global context.
culture and functions.
functions
P4 Discuss the
influences of ethical
and sustainable
globalisation on
organisational
functions.
LO4 Develop a P5 Evaluate the M4 Devise strategies that D3 Develop strategies that
global strategy different ways that meet a range of different embed an integrated
to support decision making can stakeholder perspectives approach across different
decision making work effectively in a in a global context. countries to achieve
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for a given global context. competitive advantage.
organisation.
P6 Devise objectives
and strategies to
support global
decision making to
meet business
objectives.

Note to students:

 Carefully check the submission date and the instructions given with the assignments.
 Late assignments will not be accepted, except for valid circumstances with

supporting evidence.