Project description
C/W 1 (50% of the overall grade) – Submission date February 2015 – TBC
Assignment Rationale
Operating in an increasingly interconnected world, leading companies perceive competition as global and are moving to implement an integrated strategy worldwide. Global competitors are learning to develop and manufacture products that can be introduced and marketed simultaneously in many countries. In doing so, they are sourcing technology, materials, and components from sites and suppliers located throughout the world.

Source: Frear, C.R., Metcalf, L.E., and Alguire, M.S., (1992), Offshore Sourcing: Its Nature and Scope, International Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management, Summer 1992, p.2., as cited in Burt, D.N., Dobler, D.W. and Starling, S.L. (2003), World Class Supply Management:: The key to Supply Chain Management, International 7TH Edition, McGraw Hill.

C/W 1 Task (3,000 words + / – 10%)
With reference to the above statement made in 1992, critically evaluate if today (i.e. in 2014/15), it is possible for Multi-National Enterprises to operate an integrated global strategy in a diverse range of countries across the globe? Or is this strategic objective just a myth?

4. General Guidelines for the Overall Papers

The purpose of both assignments is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to research by reviewing appropriate academic literature and your understanding of the course concepts/theories and their application. As a result, it will be necessary therefore to include references to relevant frameworks, models, concepts and techniques in your response (i.e. using the Harvard Referencing System).

Information gleaned from the internet / library, newspapers, textbooks etc, should be used and clearly referenced in the main body of your answers. These should also be placed in your Reference and Bibliography section. Help will be provided with how to use the correct Harvard referencing style.

Current newspaper cuttings / journals can be used, if you so wish, to help illustrate your discussion and these must also be clearly referenced N.B. DO NOT JUST PLACE THESE IN AN APPENDICES USE THEM APPROPRIATELY AND JUST REFERENCE THEM CORRECTLY!

However, if you do use an appendix, you are strongly recommended not to include anything there without referring to it at least briefly in the main body of the answer. N.B. Try not over fill the appendices with irrelevant information!

Diagrams may be used within your answers and these should also be suitably credited for appropriate inclusion and usage.

The lecturers instructions:

1.Use the blackboard material for references.
2.Use an up to date references.
3.Focus on slides.
4.Focus on slide number 9 in lecture 1A to start your assignment.
5.Write one definition from many definitions and write references for them globalisation definition.
6.For instance, if you have a definition from source in 1999 you need to support that with an up to date article or book.