Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business (Management)
Assignment Brief
Student Name/ID Number
Unit Number and Title Unit 25: Global business environment
Academic Year Semester 1, Academic Year 2023-2024
Unit Tutor Dr. Pham Thu Trang
Assignment Title GBE1: Thought Leadership Article – Competing in a Global and
Complex World (1 of 2)
Issue Date 19/09/2023
Submission Date 25/10/2023
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of a ‘thought leadership’ article that makes reference to
contemporary examples, case studies, and images The article should be written in a professional
format, making use of appropriate headings, columns, bullet points, titles, subtitles, and charts.
Citations and a bibliography using the Harvard system should be given. Inaccurate use of
referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly.
The recommended word count is 2,000–2,500 words, although you will not be penalized for going
under or exceeding the total word limit.
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Analyse the key factors which drive globalisation.
LO2 Determine the strategic complexities associated with operating in a global
environment.
Transferable skills and competencies developed
● Commercial acumen based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success The
ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and
appropriate methodologies
● The ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of informationand
appropriate methodologies
● Strong digital literacy
● Articulating and effectively explaining information
● Communication and listening, including the ability to produce clear, structured business
communications in a variety of media.
Vocational scenario
Organisation:
McKinsey & Company is a world-renowned management consulting firm. The company is based in
America and was founded 92 years ago in 1926 by James O McKinsey and Marvin Bower.
The company provides its service worldwide. Its headquarters is located in New York City with 127
offices spread across the world. It has a network of more than 27,000 employees making it a
billion dollar company with a revenue of more than 10 Billion.
It follows a strict culture of work and ethics with highly motivated and zealous employees. The
company values traits like loyalty, integrity, and dynamism.
The company publishes a business journal Global Business Quarterly – a ‘thought
leadership’ publication that offers an insight on existing and prospective clients.
Role:
You have recently joined the organisation as a Global Strategy Analyst in the Vietnam office, and
you have been working on a range of consultancy projects with large businesses that want to
expand and develop globally. Your role involves extensive quantitative and qualitative research in
order to conduct market analysis and identify growth opportunities, building rapport with internal
and external stakeholders to ensure that projects are delivered on time.
Assignment activity and guidance
On the basis of your experience to date, your Senior Partner has asked you to draft an article
that will feature in the next edition of Global Business Quarterly journal.
The aim of the article is to address the complexities associated with operating in a global
environment. As part of this, you will need to analyse the key factors that are driving
globalisation. The journal is distributed to existing clients and is also used as a promotional tool
to attract new and potential clients.
You are required to research and produce the journal article; it should include the following.
● An introduction to the concept of globalisation.
● An analysis of key factors that drive globalisation and trade, with reference to cultural,
economic, political and social dimensions, and the complexities this necessitates.
● A critical analysis and evaluation of the impact that these factors have on the business
environment in terms of opportunities and challenges.
● Evaluation of the impact of digital technologies on globalisation and the role of innovation.
● Recommendations on how organisations can respond to, and thrive in, a globalised,
digitalised world.
The article should include contemporary examples, as well as reference to relevant academic
theory and models.
Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a starting point in your
research – the list is not definitive.
Weblinks:
Entrepreneur. How to Take Your Company Global. Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.
com/article/159252
Inc. 6 Tips for Writing Compelling Thought Leadership Articles. Available at:
https://www.inc.com/entrepreneurs-organization/6-tips-for-writing-compelling-thought-
leadership-articles.html
World Business Culture. How to do business worldwide. Available at:
https://www.worldbusinessculture.com/
Velocity Global. Global case studies, videos and reports. Available at:
https://www.velocityglobal.com/resources
HN Global
HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learning-
zone/reading-lists
HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.
com/subjects/resource-libraries
HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/textbooks
Journal articles
John Cantwell (2017) Innovation and international business, Industry and Innovation, 24:1, 41-
60, DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2016.1257422: https://doi.org/10.1080/13662716.2016.125
7422
Fred Hu and Michael Spence. (2017). Why Globalization Stalled and How to Restart it, Foreign
Affairs.
Mukherjee, Sonia. (2018). Challenges to Indian micro small scale and medium enterprises in
the era of globalization. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research. 8. 10.1186/s40497- 018-
0115-5.
Textbooks:
Bartlett, C. and Beamish, P. (2018). Transnational Management: Texts, Cases, and Readings in
Cross-Border Management. 8th Ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill
Daniels, J. D., Radebaugh, L. H. and Sullivan D. P. (2018) International Business Environments
and Operations. 16th Ed. Harlow: Pearson
Peng, M. (2016) Global Business. 4th Ed. Cengage Learning
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Analyse the key factors which drive globalisation
P1 Analyse key factors of cost, M1 Critically analyse the
market, environment and impact that key factors have on LO1 & 2
competition that drive global the global business D1 Critically evaluate the
commerce and trade. environment in terms of global business
opportunities and challenges. environment, including
the opportunities and
challenges faced by
organisations.
LO2 Determine the strategic complexities associated with
operating in a global environment
P3 Examine the complexity of M2 Evaluate strategic
strategic challenges faced by challenges in context of risk
organisations when operating and diversification and the
in a global environment, supply chain flow.
supported by specific
examples.
