International Business Environments.
In his book ‘The Competitive Advantages of Nations’, Porter (1990) developed a diamond model to examine the reasons for the success of an industry in a specific region (country) in comparison to other regions (countries).
The model can be used to explain why some companies that emerge from certain countries or regions are globally competitive.
The model is made up of several factors that together, make up the national environment in which companies are established and learn to compete globally. These factors can support organisations’ search for competitiveness.
In this model, the regional (country) advantages can be assessed by four factors including:
1. Firm Strategy and Rivalry
2. Demand Conditions
3. Related and Supporting Industries
4. Factor Input Conditions.
The roles of the Government and Chance
Governments can help or hinder a country or region by providing a supportive business environment.
The role chance plays in re-shaping industries is significantly evident as the global economy responds to the ongoing pandemic.
You are required to select a multinational company familiar to you and using Porter’s Diamond Model, critically discuss how the model can be used to explain your organisation’s global success.
Assignment Structure
Essay Style including the following headings:
• Introduction (overview of the firm, its industry and purpose of your paper) (500 words approx..)
• Firm strategy, structure, and rivalry # 1 (500 words approx..)
• Factor endowments # 2 (500 words approx..)
• Demand conditions # 3 (500 words approx..)
• Related and supporting industries (500 words approx..)
• Conclusions (500 words approx..)
Online resources
• globalEDGE (https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-insights/by/country)
• The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/)
• the World Trade Organization (WTO: www.wto.org) and
• the International Monetary Fund (IMF: www.imf.org)
• Enterprise Ireland: Market Access Reports (https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Publications/Market-Access-Guides/)
Readings
• Porter, M.E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage Of Nations. Harvard Business Review
• Grant, R.M. (1991). Porter’s Competitive Advantage Of Nations: An Assessment. Strategic Management Journal
• Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/1990/03/the-competitive-advantage-of-nations
Criteria Comment Possible Mark
Theory Marks will be awarded for illustrating a high level of critique and appropriate selection of concepts, models, etc. Your work should be more than a simple presentation of the facts. Marks are awarded for author’s interpretation, critique and judgements. 30%
Application Marks will be awarded for use and application of models and associated concepts with evidence to support authors discussion 30%
Structure Marks will be awarded for critical writing skills, logical sequence of material and referencing 15%
Engagement Marks will be awarded where engagement of peer reviewed literature and other sources 15%
Conformance Marks will be awarded for comprehensively addressing the questions posed in the case study 10%
Criteria Comment Possible Mark
Theory Marks will be awarded for illustrating a high level of critique and appropriate selection of concepts, models, etc. Your work should be more than a simple presentation of the facts. Marks are awarded for author’s interpretation, critique and judgements. 30%
Application Marks will be awarded for use and application of models and associated concepts with evidence to support authors discussion 30%
Structure Marks will be awarded for critical writing skills, logical sequence of material and referencing 15%
Engagement Marks will be awarded where engagement of peer reviewed literature and other sources 15%
Conformance Marks will be awarded for comprehensively addressing the questions posed in the case study 10%
Learning Outcomes addressed and assessed in this Assignment:
Select and analyse information to gain a coherent understanding of the theory and practice of international business.
Recognise differing technological standards between different countries and regions and their impact on international business.
Assess the degree of ‘Country Risk’ of a particular country and its business implications.
