International Business Simulation

Further information about general assessment criteria, ARTA regulations, referencing and plagiarism can be found on the module's site on the e-Learning Portal. Students are advised to read and follow this information.

Introduction
You will participate in an international business simulation based on the Global Telecommunications industry. The purpose of the simulation is to give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained from the modules completed in semester one of your study by setting up and running a business. You must demonstrate your understanding of the following core concepts in both Assessment A and Assessment B:-

How the four core functional areas (marketing, finance, human resources and operations management) interact with each other.

In teaching week 5 of semester two, you will attend skills sessions which will explain the objectives of the simulation and the process for making decisions. You will continue to work in the teams you were assigned at the Residential in semester one. Each team has to set up a smartphone company which includes agreeing company strategy, values and targets and enter new markets with the agreed smartphone.

Teams will compete against each other by earning points. Points are assigned based on a company's performance against the targets that they set for themselves; further points are awarded for core performance metrics such as profit and market share. There are five rounds and points are awarded each week; the decision deadlines are set for 5pm on the day before you are timetabled to be in a studio session e.g. if you are timetabled to be in a studio on Wednesday at 1230pm you MUST submit your decisions in the online business platform by 5pm each Tuesday by 5pm. The objective for each team is to maximise the points that they have by the end of the five decision rounds. It is important to remember that the simulation is not the assessment i.e. the winning team does not necessarily gain a higher grade than the team who comes second. Rather, the simulation is designed to give you the opportunities, experiences, data and materials on which you will decide, reflect and analyse.

Assessment A - Business Model Group Poster
The poster will assess the following Module Outcomes: -

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
MLO3. Be able to critically apply simulation-based software in a given problem scenario.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO4. Demonstrate ability to work in cross-cultural teams.

Each team will submit a Group poster/infographic on the Round 1 decisions with the following sections:
Create an infographic/poster highlighting the key details of your business plan that could encourage entry of your global telecommunications business into new markets. This should include key elements of the items marked (a - f) below and the targets to be met in round 5.

Produce a 10-minute pitch presentation in which your group presents your infographic/poster discussing the items marked a-f in each round and how these strategies feed into your overall market strategy. Your presentation should include recommendations on how these feed into your overall strategy and its impact on SDG's, (you will be marked individually on the quality of your presentation). Peer assessment form with the names and signatures of all team members (see final page of this brief). [

See the attached marking rubric for the marking criteria breakdown for each section. Group members who fail to present will receive a mark of 0 for their presentation. Group members will be expected to conduct a peer assessment as part of their final mark.

The team's business plan for Round 1 (word limit 1,500 words) as follows:

Mission statement - what is the purpose of your company?
Business Objectives - measurable targets for the end of Round 5 (e.g., Market Share, SDG's)
Chosen market segments: (Price, Customer Intimacy and Quality) with brief descriptions of your growth strategy.
Competitive strategy - What is the rationale/unique features that differentiate your product from your competitors? How is this linked to your overall strategy?
Target Ranking: What is the rationale underlying the choices of markets, delivery, and expansion targets.
Pricing Strategy: What is the rationale for the prices charged for each mobile phone?
It is the responsibility of the team to provide an appendix of minutes of the meetings leading to decision making in each Round. These meetings likely require a full A4 page should include attendance, agenda, topics discussed and decision making. [20%]

Instructions on crafting your Assignment:
Infographic:
You may use any software to create your poster/infographic. Your tutor suggests that you employ Panopto or PowerPoint to present your poster because of its easy user interface for collaboration among team members.
Your poster/infographic should be clear and contain key information and visualize data where possible.
Your poster/infographic should be concise and accompanied by a bibliography (in APA format)
It should be saved as a PDF, combined with the bibliography, and submitted via Turnitin on your presentation date (to be confirmed by module leader).
Presentation:

Pitch presentations should be MAXIMUM 10 minutes long, to be accompanied by the infographic/poster.
Each group member is required to present, and an individual mark will be awarded for the effectiveness of the presentation. Members that fail to present will receive a mark of 0 for this criterion (see rubric below).

Assessment B - Individual Analytical and Reflective Report

The individual report will assess the following Module Outcomes: -

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. Demonstrate critical understanding of how different business functions interact and contribute to meeting strategic objectives.

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
MLO 2. Systematically identify and be able to critically analyse and evaluate responsible and integrated strategic decision-making through a cross-functional approach.
MLO 3. Be able to critically apply simulation-based software in a given problem scenario.

Each team will submit Individual Analytical and Reflective Report (2,500 words) as a single document on business simulation with the following sections:

Front page, with your name, ID, Seminar Group number, Team number and word count.

Table of Contents (with page numbers)

Introduction: A brief (maximum 100 words) statement of the business objectives (from Assignment A) and company performance during the simulated business environment, This should highlight how you succeeded in meeting the core five (5) business targets; a table/diagram in each functional business areas showing the uniqueness of meeting these targets. It is important to highlight if your company has met strategic objectives such as meeting the highest annual profit, highest overall reserve, highest annual sales number, highest global annual turnover, highest turnover in Europe and outside Europe at the end of your trading activity in round 5.
Company Performance: A concise analysis and rationale of growth strategy and sustainability policy (700 words) ensuring that a detail explanation of all events and scenario of what happened during the simulation studio exercise aided by graphs/tables of key financial and non- financial data for the company [35%]. Need solution, Order Now!

Learning: A critical analysis (1,200 words) on how the team used the business functional areas (financial, marketing, operations, and human resources management) material taught during the first few weeks of the term helped the company make responsible business decisions.

You are required to conduct a critical, comprehensive analysis of the internal and external business environment, highlighting key trends, challenges and opportunities that fuel the company's international competitive advantage. Justify your analysis by applying the applicable theories and models to generate growth strategies. Ensure that you include a detailed analysis of the business scenarios during the simulation studio exercise aided by graphs/tables of key financial and non-financial data for the company. The overarching goal here is to ensure that you apply strategic growth models and frameworks in your analysis. You should endeavor to evaluate market dynamics and competition, develop a business model for a sustainable multinational corporation.

Team Performance: A critical evaluation (400 words) of the performance of the team and a personal reflection on your role in the team.

Conclusion: An evaluation (100 words) of the extent to which your organisation met the key strategic objectives set out in part 3 above, with an indication for the reasons these objectives were fully met, partially met, or not met at all.

References: Remember that all sources cited in the assignment should appear in the reference list.

Appendices (not more than 6 pages): These should be used for supporting data and can include tables and graphs. However, Section 4 should include graphs of key data to support the explanation of performance. Key graphs and tables should appear in the body of your work.

Assignment Guidance Notes:

Word count: 2,500 words

Programme Goals and Objectives:

Goal One: To develop the skills necessary for employment and career progression.

Demonstrate awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses and the ability to engage in continuing self-development.
Demonstrate the development of inter-personal and intra-personal skills.

Demonstrate competence in contemporary analytical and ICT applications.

Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware.

Demonstrate their ability to work in culturally diverse groups and teams and make appropriate and personal contribution to team effectiveness.

Reflect on their own ethical values.

Understand the wider impact of individual or organisational decision making on social and environmental contexts.

Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability.

Communicate complex issues effectively.

Demonstrate decision making and problem solving and project management skills.

Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory.

Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions.
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of innovative and contemporary research on the business and management community.

Acquire, interpret and apply specialist functional knowledge in relation to their programme of study (specialist programmes only).

Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities.

Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business, financial, management or leadership topic of their choice.
Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business issues.