SOE11444 Global Business Economics and Finance Project - Edinburgh Napier University, UK

A. Project Question

A major multinational corporation has appointed you as an economic advisor. You are requested to compile a report regarding the macroeconomic environment in two countries where the firm operates and explain how it might affect the company's economic activity.

B. Project Specifications

1. You may choose to focus your analysis on any existing firm with international activity that can be of different types in the two countries.

2. The two countries must be chosen from section C below as follows: one country from List 1 and one country from List 2.

3. Your report must include:

a. A brief description of the company and the product/market it operates in for both countries.

b. An analysis of the market structure in which your company operates for the two countries.

c. A comparative analysis of all major macroeconomic indicators (see section D below, excluding 5 and 8) for the two countries and their overall impact on firm's economic activity.

d. An analysis of the monetary and fiscal policy (instruments) for the two countries and their impact on the firm's economic activity. You must include here an analysis of the interest rates (Section D, indicator 5).

e. An analysis of the foreign trade policy instruments (international trade agreements) for the two countries and their impact on firm's economic activity. You should include here an analysis of the exchange rates (Section D, indicator 8).

C. Country Lists

Note - Choose the United States and China.

D. Macroeconomic indicators to be analysed (the last available 10 years):

1. GDP growth rate

2. GDP per capita at constant prices

3. Inflation rate (CPI)

4. Unemployment rate (ILO measure)

5. Interest rate (Monetary Policy Rate)

6. General government balances (% of GDP)

7. Balance of Payments (% of GDP)

8. Exchange rates (National Currency/USD OR National Currency/Euro)

Length 2,500 words, (excluding tables, graphs, footnotes and references).

References - A minimum of 20 references using APA Referencing Style (textbooks, official data and information sources).