Assignment on Global Value Chains, Global Financial System, and National Culture

Question 1: Upgrading in Global Value Chains

This assignment is an Individual piece of work. It represents 80% of assessment and of the module mark. Students are required to select one of the questions below and produce a two-part 3500-word essay. 

1. Upgrading in Global Value Chains

Part 1: Conduct a comprehensive literature review of recent scholarly work (last 10 years) on social and economic upgrading in Global Value Chains.

Part 2: Find an example of region or country which experienced upgrading as part of a global value chain and analyse whether the case aligns or diverges from the literature discussed in part 1. Provide a recommendation of countries or regions may enable social and/or economic upgrading as part of a global value chain.

2. The Global Financial System

Part 1: Conduct a comprehensive literature review of recent scholarly work (last 10 years) on the global financial system.

Part 2: Using one financial crisis as an example, demonstrate how financial crises impact global financial markets. Provide a recommendation on how companies can mitigate financial risks when operating abroad. Link your findings to the literature reviewed in Part 1. 

3. National Culture

Part 1: Conduct a comprehensive literature review of recent scholarly work (last 10 years) on the role of national culture in global business. 

Part 2: Provide an example of a real-world company and briefly describe how the culture of their home country (country of origin) impacts their organizational culture. Provide recommendations on how companies may navigate cross-cultural risk when operating abroad. Draw on the academic literature explored in part 1 in your case analysis and recommendations.

Assignment Guidance Notes

Writing and submission instructions:

• The word limit for the assignment is 3500 words. See below for what is excluded from the word count.

•  An electronic version of your assignment must be submitted via the Turnitin final submission link. 

•  Write your analysis as a piece of business communication in essay style, including any illustrations you think are useful. Make sure all data sources used are properly explained and referenced.

• Avoid first person usage (I, we, us) in the report.

Instructions on crafting your Assignment:

• This is a research-based assignment.The assignment requires you to demonstrate that you understand how to appropriately analyse the academic literature and any relevant theories.

• Your analytical discussion must be supported by a significant number of information sources as well as theory. You are free to gather the information you need from different authoritative sources to make your argument.
 
• You should be thorough and detailed in your analysis, and should fully explain and justify all the points. However, there is a balance to be sought between a mass of detail and a thorough, yet relatively concise reasoning. Thus, your writing must be clear and concise.

• Append only relevant information to support your discussion and analysis in the main body of the report. Appendices should be properly organised and the reader referred to the appropriate appendix at the appropriate point in the text.

• Cite sources of all researched data and theories/concepts/models on which your analysis is based so as not to be flagged as plagiarism.  Use APA referencing style.

Word limits and penalties for assignments

If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.

The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet.  The word count does not include:

•    Title and Contents page

•    Reference list

•    Appendices

•    Appropriate tables, figures and illustrations

•    Glossary

•    Bibliography

•    Quotes from interviews and focus groups.