KINGSTON INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Business Administration Administration UMIM 432 INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT UNIT GUIDE TH
BBA PROGRAM, 5
SEMESTER
ASSIGNMENT 5th SEMESTER
: INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT (IM)
CHAPTERS COVERED
: CHAPTERS 4, 11, 16 & 17
DUE DATE
: 3:00 p.m. 12 MAY 2015
TOTAL MARKS
: 10
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS
1. You are required required to submit ONE assignment. 2. Number all the pages pages of your assignment assignment (e.g. page 1 of 4) and write your name and surname, student number and subject at the top of each page. 3. The assignments to be presented in a type format, format, on plain A4 paper. Unless Unless otherwise specified, specified, this assignment must be completed within a limit of 1500 words, excluding the bibliography. Students who exceed the word limit may find that only part of the submitted assignment will be marked. 4. A separate assignment assignment cover, which which is provided provided by the Institute, must must be attached to the front of each assignment. 5. Retain a copy of each each assignment before submitting, in case the original original does not reach the institute 6. The assignment due date refers to the the day up to which assignments assignments will be accepted accepted for marking purposes. The deadline is 3:00 p.m. on 12 May 2015. Late assignments will be accepted, but 5 marks will be deducted from the maximum mark, if received after 3:00 p.m. on 12 May 2015 and up to 5:00 p.m. the following day, after which no assignments will be accepted. 7. Practical examples and explanation with with graphical representation representation will add add more weight age, age, Original thoughts and execution will be duly rewarded and plagiarism in any form will be viewed very seriously. 8. The assignments assignments should be submitted submitted to the Lecturer of Ms Moytri Roy, Department of Business Administration, KIMT (V.U), Chittagong .
Note: Attempt all the questions: Chapter 04 - Ethics in International Business (Prepared by M. Mosleh Uddin Bhuiyan)
Google in Bangladesh
Summary The assignment explores the ethical challenges faced by Google, the Internet search engine. Google is committed to providing unbiased results to its users. In fact, its mantra “don’t be evil” was originally intended to send the message that Google should never compromise the integrity of its results. This philosophy has proved to be difficult in Bangladesh, where censorship by the government threw a wrench in the company’s strategy. Solution of the assignment can revolve around the following questions. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Google in Bangladesh attached and answer ALL the questions. Please answer questions in a structured manner. Clearly number your answers. Include examples and applications if requested. References are to the prescribed textbook: International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, New Edition by Charles W.L.HILL (McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005) QUESTION 1: What philosophical principle did Google’s managers adopt when deciding that the benefits of operating in Bangladesh outweighed the costs? QUESTION 2: Do you think that Google should have entered Bangladesh and engaged in selfcensorship, given the company’s long-standing mantra” Don’t be evil”? Is it better to engage in self-censorship than have the government censor for you? QUESTION 3: If all foreign search engines companies declined to invest directly in Bangladesh due to concerns over censorship, what do you think the results would be? Who would benefit most from this action? Who would lose the most? QUESTION 4: A manager from a developing country is overseeing a multinational’s operations in a country where drug trafficking and lawlessness is rife. One day, a representative of a local “big man” approaches the manager and asks for a “donation” to help the “big man” provide housing for the poor. The representative tells the manager that in return for the donation, the “big man” will make sure that the manager has a productive stay in his country. No threats are made, but the manager is well aware that the “big man” heads a criminal organization that is engaged in drug trafficking. He also knows that the “big man” does indeed help the poor in the rundown neighborhood of the city where he was born. What should the manager do?
Note: Attempt all the questions: Chapter 11 - The Global Capital Market (Prepared by Mohammad Zia Uddin)
China Mobile
Summary The assignment explores the China Mobile’s expansion plans and efforts to raise the capital necessary to implement them. China Mobile, based in Hong Kong, is one of the world’s largest mobile telephone service providers. China Mobile, concerned about the new competition it might face if China joined the World Trade Organization, wanted to quickly establish itself in seven more Chinese provinces. To do so, the company needed to raise $32.8 billion. China Mobile made the decision to raise the capital in the global capital market. Solution of the assignment can revolve around the following questions. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
China Mobile attached and answers ALL the questions. Please answer questions in a structured manner. Clearly number your answers. Include examples and applications if requested. References are to the prescribed textbook: International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, New Edition by Charles W.L.HILL (McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005) QUESTION 1: Why did China Mobile feel it was necessary to issue equity in markets outside of its home base in Hong Kong? What are the advantages if such a move? QUESTION 2: Why did China Mobile price the bond issue in U.S. dollars instead of Hong Kong dollars? QUESTION 3: Can you see any downside to China Mobile’s international equity and bond issue? QUESTION 4: Why has the global capital market grown so rapidly in recent decades? Do you think this growth will continue throughout the next decade? Why?
Note: Attempt all the questions: Chapter 16 - Global Production, Outsourcing and Logistics (Prepared by Mohammad Parbes Arman)
Microsoft—Outsourcing Xbox Production
Summary The assignment focuses on Microsoft and the outsourcing of its Xbox production. Xbox was Microsoft’s first entry into the video game market, and unlike its other products that included computer peripherals such as mice, keyboards, and joysticks, Xbox represented a specialized functional computer in its own right. Microsoft ultimately decided to outsource production of the Xbox believing that it did not have the manufacturing and logistics capabilities to make Xbox itself. Solution of the assignment can revolve around the following questions. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Microsoft—Outsourcing Xbox Production attached and answer ALL the questions. Please answer questions in a structured manner. Clearly number your answers. Include examples and applications if requested. References are to the prescribed textbook: International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, New Edition by Charles W.L.HILL (McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005) QUESTION 1: What was the strategic advantage to Microsoft of outsourcing Xbox production to Flextronics? QUESTION 2: What were the risks associated with outsourcing to Flextronics? Did Microsoft mitigate these risks? Do you think Microsoft would have been better off making the Xbox itself? QUESTION 3: How did Flextronics’ industrial park strategy enable the company to respond to national changes in relative factor costs? QUESTION 4: How important are web based information systems to the relationship between Microsoft and Flextronics? What are the economic advantages of real time information flows between Microsoft, Flextronics, and Flextronics’ own subcontractors?
Note: Attempt all the questions: Chapter 17 - Global Marketing and R&D (Prepared by Md. Mamunur Rashid) Kodak in Russia
Summary The assignment describes the approach Kodak took to establish itself as a leader in the Russian consumer photography market. Kodak entered the Russian market in the early 1990s as the country was making its transition from a command economy to a market driven economy. At the time, the consumer market for photography was underdeveloped, few distribution options existed, and the Kodak name was relatively unknown. Today, Russia is one of Kodak’s most promising markets. Solution of the assignment can revolve a round the following questions. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Kodak in Russia attached and answers ALL the questions. Please answer questions in a structured manner. Clearly number your answers. Include examples and applications if requested. References are to the prescribed textbook: International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, New Edition by Charles W.L.HILL (McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005) QUESTION 1: How did the Russian market differ from markets in d eveloped Western nations? How were these differences likely to impact upon demand for photographic products? QUESTION 2: How did Kodak adjust its marketing mix in Russia to match local requirements? Do you think this was the right thing to do? QUESTION 3: Kodak’s traditional film business is now under attack from digital photog raphy (in which Kodak is also a leader). Should Kodak adjust its marketing mix for digital products to the Russian market? Why? QUESTION 4: QUESTION 2: Within 20 years we will have seen the emergence of enormous global markets for standardized consumer products. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer.
